(Quotient Quizes #3) IQ stands for Intelligence Quotient. IQ is important. But also extremely important is EQ – Expectation Quotient. While we are not able to change our IQ much, I propose that we can, with God’s help, change our EQ dramatically. We can lift the level of expectations for life.
In June 2014, Ken Houston received a Hall of Fame ring at Redskins Park. It was almost 30 years after he had actually been inducted into the Hall of Fame. He lost his first ring.
From 1968 to 1979 Ken Houston appeared in 12 straight Pro Bowls. He had clutch interceptions and tackles and was the backbone of a potent Washington Redskins defense. They say that Ken Houston redefined the way the safety position was played. During his career Houston scored on a blocked field goal, a returned fumble, a punt return, and returned 9 intercepted passes for touchdowns.
Ken Houston holds the records for the most intercepted passes run back for touchdowns in a single season and in his career. He also shares the records of interception touchdowns in a single game. These are 3 unique records. When he was asked what was the secret of holding these records he replied, “Every time I put on the pads, I expect to intercept a pass and run it back for a touchdown.”
EQ –Ken Houston expected to intercept a pass and run it back for a touchdown every time he put on the pads. He expected – and expectation became reality. His expectant attitude created the possibility of experiencing football records.
One of the great basketball coaches of all time was Adolf Rupp from Kentucky. The EQ for basketball at Kentucky has always been higher than the EQ for football! When Bear Bryant was the football coach at Kentucky, and won the Southeastern Conference, they only gave him a watch. Adolf Rupp, the basketball coach, had a mediocre season and they gave him a new car. Bear decided it was better to go somewhere else, and he eventually wound up at Alabama.
I have heard that Rupp often commented he could make an All-American out of any basketball player. Rupp believed in EQ. One day in Lexington he was challenged by a group of reporters. The reporters made a friendly bet with him that he could not make an All-American out of a new freshman Cotton Nash. Rupp took the challenge.
Every time Rupp spoke to Cotton Nash he referred to him as my All-American Cotton Nash. Nash didn’t know he could be an All-American. He just lived up to the EQ of his coach. It became his EQ. And guess what – Rupp won the challenge and Nash became an All-American!
EQ, with God’s help, might determine results more than IQ!
My challenge: I dare you to do something every morning for the next week when you wake up. Read Romans 8:18, 19 (Phillips) – “Whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us. The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own!” So – get out of bed, stand on your tiptoes, and expect the magnificent future God has planned for you!
It’s easy to live life on your heels when you dig in and prepare to stand firm or retreat. My challenge is to live on your tiptoes looking forward and expecting God’s “magnificent future!”
What can your EQ be?
