Saturday, September 25, 2010
Strengths & Struggles
I read the following from Boyd Bailey's "Wisdom Hunters" and it seemed to follow on so well from my post "Live Creatively". I have included it here in full and acknowledge the inspirational writings of Boyd Bailey.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:6a
Know and understand your strengths, for it is best to behave how God created you. By God’s grace, He places within you giftedness to carry out His plan. This is called your core competency. You may be a gifted leader, so lead. You may be a gifted coach, so coach. You may be a gifted counselor, so counsel. You may be a gifted administrator, so administer.
You may be a gifted networker, so network.
You may be a gifted writer, so write. You may be a gifted teacher, so teach. You may be a gifted servant, so serve. You may be a gifted artist, so create. You may be a gifted communicator, so communicate.
There is a long menu of gifts, and you probably resemble several of them. Study your gifts, and you will discover your strengths.
Become comfortable with and accept the one thing you do naturally. It is effortless because God has engineered you for this. He gave you the skills and abilities to innovate, create, and produce these desired outcomes. However, make sure you do not confuse passion with strength. If you have the passion to speak, it is imperative you at least have the raw skill for speaking. Many of the technicalities of communication can be learned, but don’t try to make yourself become someone you’re not.
Synergy for life and work come as you align passions and strengths. Take the time to understand what you do best and where you have the most energy, and then position your responsibilities at home and work to mirror that ideal. Do not be afraid to change and try new things. Ask others to validate what you do best. Ask those who know you well to affirm where they see your passion protrude. Then, prayerfully align around both.
You can know and understand your strengths by taking a spiritual gifts test, as this helps you define your God-given disposition. Take a personality assessment, for this helps you understand your temperament. Lastly, consider taking a psychological test, because this reveals your emotional intelligence and your leadership style. Be who God has made you to be, and you will be free.
Furthermore, embrace and celebrate your struggles. They keep you humble. Do not resist accepting your struggles; embrace them instead. Make your struggles your servant by allowing others to do much better what you can’t do. It is okay not to like details, but value them and those who manage them well. Your struggles beg the need for a team. It is in your struggles that you depend more on God and others.
So, be honest with yourself about what you don’t do well. Accept the fact that even though you want to do something, you don’t need to if others can do it better. They can free you to do only what you can do. Release your areas of mediocre effectiveness, as this gives others opportunities for excellence. Laugh at yourself, for this frees you from the tension of unrealistic expectations, and allows you to enjoy life.
You are a valued member in the Body of Christ. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all Taken from the September 10th reading in Boyd Bailey’s Seeking Daily the Heart of God.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:6a
Know and understand your strengths, for it is best to behave how God created you. By God’s grace, He places within you giftedness to carry out His plan. This is called your core competency. You may be a gifted leader, so lead. You may be a gifted coach, so coach. You may be a gifted counselor, so counsel. You may be a gifted administrator, so administer.
You may be a gifted writer, so write. You may be a gifted teacher, so teach. You may be a gifted servant, so serve. You may be a gifted artist, so create. You may be a gifted communicator, so communicate.
There is a long menu of gifts, and you probably resemble several of them. Study your gifts, and you will discover your strengths.
Become comfortable with and accept the one thing you do naturally. It is effortless because God has engineered you for this. He gave you the skills and abilities to innovate, create, and produce these desired outcomes. However, make sure you do not confuse passion with strength. If you have the passion to speak, it is imperative you at least have the raw skill for speaking. Many of the technicalities of communication can be learned, but don’t try to make yourself become someone you’re not.
Synergy for life and work come as you align passions and strengths. Take the time to understand what you do best and where you have the most energy, and then position your responsibilities at home and work to mirror that ideal. Do not be afraid to change and try new things. Ask others to validate what you do best. Ask those who know you well to affirm where they see your passion protrude. Then, prayerfully align around both.
You can know and understand your strengths by taking a spiritual gifts test, as this helps you define your God-given disposition. Take a personality assessment, for this helps you understand your temperament. Lastly, consider taking a psychological test, because this reveals your emotional intelligence and your leadership style. Be who God has made you to be, and you will be free.
Furthermore, embrace and celebrate your struggles. They keep you humble. Do not resist accepting your struggles; embrace them instead. Make your struggles your servant by allowing others to do much better what you can’t do. It is okay not to like details, but value them and those who manage them well. Your struggles beg the need for a team. It is in your struggles that you depend more on God and others.
So, be honest with yourself about what you don’t do well. Accept the fact that even though you want to do something, you don’t need to if others can do it better. They can free you to do only what you can do. Release your areas of mediocre effectiveness, as this gives others opportunities for excellence. Laugh at yourself, for this frees you from the tension of unrealistic expectations, and allows you to enjoy life.
You are a valued member in the Body of Christ. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all Taken from the September 10th reading in Boyd Bailey’s Seeking Daily the Heart of God.
Live Creatively!
Live creatively, friends.....Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your life. (Galations 6)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "LIVE CREATIVELY"?
- Using our God-given gifts, talents and abilities.....stretching ourselves.....exercising them.....not squandering or neglecting them
- Staying connected in relationship with the great Creator, the One who is creative beyond my wildest imagination and allowing His creative "juices" flow through me and out of me as expressed in my unique abilities and talents.....His creative fingerprint on my life
- Using our talents and abilities not only for selfish pleasure and enjoyment.....using them in ways which we will not always fully comprehend or imagine to enrich the lives of others, and in the enriching reflect something of God's love and purpose for those who are touched by our lives, our talents, our actions
- In our creative living out of our passions and interests.....our desire should be a willingness to be used as God's available instruments in lovingly restoring people to Him.....sharing in the burdens (and easing those burdens) of those who are oppressed.....being generous in all that we have and are.....being sensitive to the needs of those with whom we come into daily contact.....LIVING OUT MY FAITH CREATIVELY!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Beyond doubt
I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing
Or filled with longed for things
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
I don't know if these clouds mean rain
If they do will they pour down blessing or pain
I don't know what the future holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in Your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in Your faithfulness
I don't know how much time is left
But in the end I will know Your faithfulness
When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts are storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful
Always faithful
(Brian Doerksen: "Your Faithfulness" from his album "You Shine")
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. (Philippians 4)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
When things look bleak!
I am continually amazed and blessed at the timing of accurate and relevant words of encouragement for me...right now...where I am... in challenging circumstances. God knows!
Trusting Obedience
“He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.’” John 9:11
Some situations call for trusting obedience. You know what God is saying, but you are not sure of the “why” or the “how” behind His command. What He is asking you to do may be unprecedented. This may be your first time to follow Him in this fashion and, therefore, it is a little scary.
Some people have given you a hard time, and others think you are somewhat strange; but this is the nature of trusting obedience. You have limited understanding but you still trust God. Though you are unsure how He is going to provide, you trust that He will. And many times, “lo and behold,” His provision is more creative and thorough than you anticipated. This is the fruit of trusting obedience.
This is why God blesses trusting obedience. He knows your situation. He knows your heart. He knows your needs. He is the master at connecting your need with His provision. He uses unconventional means so that He is guaranteed to get the glory. Yes, you could make things happen. You could go into debt. You could manipulate a circumstance.
You could strong-arm a relationship. You could give up or not go there, but your impatience may rob you of God’s blessing. Be obedient and trust Him with what you know to do today. Do not be overwhelmed with tomorrow. Trust Him with today. Be obedient today and trust Him with tomorrow.
It is trusting obedience that opens our eyes to opportunities we never imagined. Satisfaction with conventional thinking may seem safer, but God’s will is never too risky. Following hard after God with trusting obedience is what keeps your faith fresh and on fire. Settling into a selective obedience produces a frigid faith that facilitates a boring, barren life with very little fruit that remains.
If God is telling you to leave, then leave. If God is telling you to stay, then stay. If God is telling you to give, then give. If God is telling you to serve, then serve. It is your trusting obedience that He blesses in spades. Fuel all your efforts by faith. This will stretch you and grow you. God may not show up until the last minute.
Others may criticize your God-sized mission and your faith-filled methods. Because of fear of your failure, friends may disassociate or distance themselves from you, but once they see God’s blessing and faithfulness, they will come out of hiding and attempt to ride the bandwagon.
Therefore, do not let the fickleness of people’s support dissuade you from trusting obedience. God is the one to whom you will ultimately give an account. As long as you can explain to God your actions, you are in a good position. If you disobey God, prepare for a severe judgment.
Followers of Jesus have tasted the fruit of trusting obedience. There is no reason to return to the wilderness of distrustful disobedience. Your trusting obedience may relate to money. Hold finances with an open hand and watch God work. Money can be God’s tool to facilitate His work, or it can be Satan’s obstacle that keeps you from trusting obedience.
Listen intently to the voice of Jesus, and then trust Him and do what He says. He has your best interest in mind. His intent is not harm but healing. Your trusting obedience will fuel the faith of others and bring glory to God. You are not alone. He is with you. You can trust Him with your obedience. Do what He says. Clarity and understanding follows trusting obedience. Trust and obey—this is His best way!
With grateful acknowledgement to Boyd Bailey’s "Wisdom Hunters" daily devotional.
Trusting Obedience
“He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.’” John 9:11
Some situations call for trusting obedience. You know what God is saying, but you are not sure of the “why” or the “how” behind His command. What He is asking you to do may be unprecedented. This may be your first time to follow Him in this fashion and, therefore, it is a little scary.
Some people have given you a hard time, and others think you are somewhat strange; but this is the nature of trusting obedience. You have limited understanding but you still trust God. Though you are unsure how He is going to provide, you trust that He will. And many times, “lo and behold,” His provision is more creative and thorough than you anticipated. This is the fruit of trusting obedience.
This is why God blesses trusting obedience. He knows your situation. He knows your heart. He knows your needs. He is the master at connecting your need with His provision. He uses unconventional means so that He is guaranteed to get the glory. Yes, you could make things happen. You could go into debt. You could manipulate a circumstance.
You could strong-arm a relationship. You could give up or not go there, but your impatience may rob you of God’s blessing. Be obedient and trust Him with what you know to do today. Do not be overwhelmed with tomorrow. Trust Him with today. Be obedient today and trust Him with tomorrow.
It is trusting obedience that opens our eyes to opportunities we never imagined. Satisfaction with conventional thinking may seem safer, but God’s will is never too risky. Following hard after God with trusting obedience is what keeps your faith fresh and on fire. Settling into a selective obedience produces a frigid faith that facilitates a boring, barren life with very little fruit that remains.
If God is telling you to leave, then leave. If God is telling you to stay, then stay. If God is telling you to give, then give. If God is telling you to serve, then serve. It is your trusting obedience that He blesses in spades. Fuel all your efforts by faith. This will stretch you and grow you. God may not show up until the last minute.
Others may criticize your God-sized mission and your faith-filled methods. Because of fear of your failure, friends may disassociate or distance themselves from you, but once they see God’s blessing and faithfulness, they will come out of hiding and attempt to ride the bandwagon.
Therefore, do not let the fickleness of people’s support dissuade you from trusting obedience. God is the one to whom you will ultimately give an account. As long as you can explain to God your actions, you are in a good position. If you disobey God, prepare for a severe judgment.
Followers of Jesus have tasted the fruit of trusting obedience. There is no reason to return to the wilderness of distrustful disobedience. Your trusting obedience may relate to money. Hold finances with an open hand and watch God work. Money can be God’s tool to facilitate His work, or it can be Satan’s obstacle that keeps you from trusting obedience.
Listen intently to the voice of Jesus, and then trust Him and do what He says. He has your best interest in mind. His intent is not harm but healing. Your trusting obedience will fuel the faith of others and bring glory to God. You are not alone. He is with you. You can trust Him with your obedience. Do what He says. Clarity and understanding follows trusting obedience. Trust and obey—this is His best way!
With grateful acknowledgement to Boyd Bailey’s "Wisdom Hunters" daily devotional.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Denial & Despair
Catastrophe strikes and a person's world falls apart. People respond variously, but two of the more common responses are denial and despair.
Denial refuses to acknowledge the catastrophe. It shuts its eyes tight or looks the other way; it manages to act as if everything is going to be just fine; it takes refuge in distractions and lies and fantasies.
Despair is paralysed by the catastrophe and accepts it as the end of the world. It is unwilling to do anything, concluding that life for all its intents and purposes is over. Despair listlessly closes its eyes to a world in which all the colour has drained out, a world gone dead.
God works in catastrophe! Denial people refuse to see that catastrophe is in fact catastrophic. How could it be? God wouldn't let anything that bad happen to them?
Even in catastrophe, GOD IS AT WORK, sovereignly using the catastrophe. As difficult and stretching as it may be, we are able to embrace God in the worst of times.
The despair people, overwhelmed by devastation, refuse to see that life is worth living. How could it be? Everything may be lost and nothing appears worth living for anymore.
GOD IS AT WORK, even in the wreckage and rubble of life, sovereignly using the disasters in life to create new opportunities...new people.
Whether through denial or despair, God's people can emerge from catastrophe robust and whole.
(With acknowledgement: "The Message" by Eugene H. Peterson)
He (God) knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail of our lives of love for God is worked into something good.....I'm absolutely convinced that nothing.....absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love.....(Romans 8)
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