4:45AM

Earlier this week, the Apple Corporation unveiled its newest product. Its’ newest product is a foldable phone, creatively called the “iphone duo.” Foldable phones are not so new, but that did not stop Apple from claiming in the press release for the device that it “features a breakthrough foldable design that’s beautiful, versatile, and durable, opening up possibilities that feel entirely new yet remarkably familiar.” As my seventy three year old father-in-law and I were watching a news report about the event, he asked me if I was planning to get the phone. He knows I am a closet techno-geek, and so I predictably, quickly and confidently assured him that I was. At least I was until I found out it costs $2000. When I heard the price, I inadvertently uttered a phrase not suitable for print. LOL.

Unless and until the price is considerably reduced, I will admire the device from a distance. But the price of the iphone duo notwithstanding, I have always admired the products that Apple creates. I have also always admired the company’s values, its history, its ecosystem, and its stores. And I recently read a blog that made me also admire Tim Cook, Apple’s recently retired Chief Executive Officer.

The blogger shared a story about meeting Mr. Cook before he assumed the helm at Apple. He said that they worked out at the same gym, and he had no idea who he was. All he knew was that “Tim” was an unassuming guy who was always on the treadmill when he arrived at the gym each morning at 4:45AM. For years, “Tim” never bragged about who he was, what he did, or his increasing responsibilities at one of the worlds’ most profitable companies. On the day that Mr. Cook was named CEO of Apple, one of the bloggers’ work-out buddies told him in the locker room that his treadmill mate was actually the leader of a company worth $347 billion. But even on that day, ““Tim” said nothing. They talked about the weather! The next day, “Tim” was back on the treadmill—at 4:45AM. The two eventually became friends. But rarely, if ever, did “Tim” speak of himself or his work. And on the day he retired—and by then the company was worth $4 trillion—he saw “Tim” on the treadmill. At 4:45AM.

The blogger correctly concluded that Mr. Cook’s incredible stewardship of one of the worlds’ most iconic and profitable companies was directly related to his discipline and consistency, which was exhibited on a daily basis by his decision to exercise every day at the same time. If he was on the treadmill at 4:45—then that means he had to wake up, get dressed, and travel much earlier. That is impressive.  Nay, that is quite impressive.

I am not suggesting that you exercise every morning at 4:45AM. What I am suggesting is that there is a relationship between discipline, consistency and success. I would wager that the other areas of Mr. Cook’s life are probably also characterized by the same level of discipline and consistency. Highly effective and successful people tend to live pretty boring and predictable lives. They have realized that there are no shortcuts, secrets, or hacks. As one observer put it, “they emphasize fundamentals over fads, consistency over intensity, and progress over perfection.” Consider this observation that the sacred writer makes about Jesus in Mark 1:35:

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, (Jesus) went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

So here’s my question for you today:

I wonder if it was 4:45AM when Jesus woke up to pray?