Taking Advantage of Now

I lived my whole life on "doing it later". There is a strange dichotomy in my confidence and self-actualization in being a leader. On one hand, I feel inadequate for the task before me, yet on the other hand I have the confidence that I am able to pull it off in crunch time. As of lately, I have tried to develop the ethic of "doing it now". If I think about now, I should do it now. I make the mistake of waiting to do something at the perfect time which never ever comes. Isn't it funny how we believe that somethings are true and that if we apply them we could really benefit from them? I mean we really believe that...at least I do. But as Paul (the apostle) confessed "the good that I wanted to do I don't do."(Rom 7:25). Being a great leader doesn't mean that you are super talented or brilliantly gifted. It means that you do what your supposed to do. Every day. Every time. If a person wanted to go from one place to another which situation would be better: (a) the run for a few yards and then rest for a few minutes and then run again? Or, (b) take their time and walk each step at a time? I think that even though different situations require different things, the best option is probably (b). One step at time. I have also found that their will never be a ideal situation for success. You will never have enough time or such few responsibilities you can easily handle the things that leadership demands. NO! But you must make time. Create time. And use the time you have to accomplish what you can and what success gain momentum from simple steps. Someone I am acquainted with, and daughter of a friend, died last week. She was only 30 years old. I've known her since she was 15 and now she is gone. And all I can think about is what she was planning to do this week. What were the thing that she put off doing because she thought she had more time to do it. Fear should never motivate us but time should be respected. If you have "now", take advantage of it. Leaders lead from "now" into the "future", never from "later".

4x4 Ministry

Today there is news of a great tragedy. A friend as lost his daughter at the age of 30. Something like this happens everyday, just to different people. But sometimes, when its someone you know, it hurts. For me it reminds me of my weakness of assuming that time is on my side. This world is really getting worse and as leader I am being made aware of this every day and I believe God is challenging me to step up to the plate. There is so much pain in my family. Even more with my friends. But I forget and overlook just how much He has blessed me and my family with peace and safety. I know that tragedy is not punishment or selective to hit based on merit but it is only held back by the mercy of God. I see today that my slackness and slothful spirituality is going to cause others to suffer. Being honest, I believe that I am afraid to truly walk in what God is calling me to do. And maybe I being to generous to myself by saying that because to me it is obvious that many times I am just plain old lazy. When the weather gets really bad here in Michigan most times I drive the GMC around town. Its big and bulky and handles well in the snow. Sometimes when I didn't shovel the driveway I would often get stuck trying to get out. The funny thing is, is that the GMC has 4 wheel drive. I hesitated to use it because it takes a lot of gas and I think its harmful to the car if it over used. But that's what it's made for. It's make to drive in 4 wheel drive. I see that same thing in my spiritual life. I rather get stuck than turn on 4 wheel drive. Even though its going to wear me down and use alot of energy., I hesitate to do what it takes to seek the Lord and serve my family as a priest. A true leader is a leader in his or her home and private life. The question is, I'm I ready for 4x4 ministry? If I believe that I can do it for the total stranger, why can't I do it for my family?

Remembering the Source

He have the strange power to believe our own words. As soon as we figure this out we have the opportunity to experience a glimmer of the power that God has. Whether it is positive or negative, consciously or subconsciously our brain some how responds to what we say. Today I learned how powerful this. I made the mistake to assume something and speak something out of my own words that did not have its source rooted in God and I watched the opposite transpire right before my eyes. I think this is why Jesus says, "Let you yea be yea and your nay be nay". As a leader I must be aware to only speak what God would have me say, even to myself, and never trust my own strength or wisdom. I thank the Lord for teaching me this lesson. I thank Him for allowing me to know the Source and to trust in His power and not my own.

I've never asked God

I have recently discovered the importance of following the path that God has given me. One of my greatest weaknesses is to chase to many dreams and never see them come to life. I desire to do many things in this life but what is the "thing" that God wants me to do. Where do I start? As I'm searching to know this path, I have been reminded of the what I have already known. To replay the experiences that have brought me progress and growth and returning to them as I did in times past. When have I grown the most? When I have I experienced the change for the good? I hear my own heart answering me, saying, "When you lived what you believed". The simple truth is that when I live what I know I will know what I live. I confess, that my heart has not been plunged into the depth of love for God. I have not embraced Him and made Him real in my life. I have not lived in obedience out of live being transformed. I have not spoken words that echo what God has told me. I have been blind, deaf, and dumb, and yes naked. My life is exposed and uncoverd. I am not who I think I am. But if God is in control, that would be a good thing.