Decisions… Decisions

Posted on June 13, 2010 by Shane

Do you ever feel like there are always a hundred decisions that you need to make? It seems that way to me all the time, everyday, all day long. Whether its for myself, my family, my job, my finances, my time, my friends, my co-workers… there are always so many things to decide. Oh yeah… and I really want to get those decisions right.

Recently I just so happened (or via Providence, take your pick) to read John 8 and Proverbs 4 on the same day and was struck by the weight of the truth – when considered together – of the following verses:

John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:31-32 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Proverbs 4:26 – Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.

After chewing on these verses for a while it hit me that in them there is a great promise and a required protocol.

The promise – In Christ we do not have to walk in darkness… AND… If we abide in His word we will know the truth and be free.
The protocol – Think before I act.

Previously, I have only thought of the promises in John 8 in regards to our eternal position before the Lord – which I believe to be true of these verses – but it struck me as I read the verse in Proverbs that the reason we should “Ponder the path” of our feet (think before we act) is so that we might – walk in the light AND know the truth – in every decision we make.

Is it possible, that for a follower of Jesus, the only wrong decisions we should make be disobedient ones? Is it possible that these promises of Jesus apply to more than just our eternal spiritual position but also to our daily decisions? Is it possible that the key to unlocking these promises in my daily decisions is as simple as thinking before I act?

I am hoping and trusting that as I learn to be disciplined enough to actually think before I act (which for me is a continuous challenge) that the Lord will cause me to walk in the light and know the truth. If that is true then all the decisions I have before me will really boil down to just one decision – no matter the situation or the circumstances – to either be obedient or not.

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Inspiration vs Influence

Posted on June 12, 2010 by Shane

Inspiration: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions; the act of suggesting opinions

Influence: the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command; the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways

In the area of leadership I have been wondering what type of impact I could have and what the scope of that impact could be. Like many, I sometimes get distracted by the thoughts of doing something that really causes a wave of change or growth or increase. So, I’ve been considering what is the likelihood of that sort of impact.

The definitions above are provided by Webster, but I break them down to something more simple… Inspiration offers ideas that may fade over time where Influence causes change that becomes more powerful over time.

Now, from this point forward I am not claiming that what I say is absolute, but it is something that I’ve been pondering for a while in regards to this idea of inspiration vs. influence. When I have life or leadership questions I try to look at the life of Jesus and his relationships for guidance. In doing that on this issue I have what follows bouncing around in my head.

Think about how Jesus related to the twelve disciples. Jesus led them all but made an extra effort to pour more time into three of them (Peter, James & John). Now I don’t know the full stories of all twelve, but how much do we know about the nine others? We know that one denied him completely (Judas) and we don’t see much in the New Testament about the others.

Also, think about how many people Jesus spoke to during his earthly ministry. He preached to tens of thousands of people and did things in front of them that no one ever had done… yet when he ascended back into heaven only 120 people were there. (based on my definitions) Jesus inspired many but had real influence over just a few.

Here is where these questions and thoughts leave me. I can inspire many, at times, depending on the situation. It is possible for me to connect in some general way (through the various social networks) with thousands of people and say or write something that makes them consider my ideas. The likelihood, however, that it will have any lasting impact (real influence) is low.

Ok, Shane…. whatev… what’s the point?

Here is what the point is for me… I need to think about how I spend my time and what the motivation of my efforts are. Do I want to spend my time and energy to inspire many or do I want to spend my time and energy to influence a few?

Inspiration is like a nice breeze on a hot day that feels good for a minute then is forgotten the next time the sun hits your face. Influence is like a hurricane whose impact is talked about for generations.

Inspiration is a good sermon that we love while hearing it and then forget by the time we reach the parking lot. Influence is the one thing somebody said to us years ago that we cannot forget.

Inspiration’s greatest achievement is name recognition for a season and then nothing. Influence’s greatest achievement is a legacy that builds in strength over the generations to come.

I have no doubt that this line of thinking is flawed in some way… but… it really causes me to think about how I spend my time… to inspire (for now) or to influence (forever)…

Just a thought…

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Imperfect People

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Shane

God is perfect. People are not.

God equips imperfect people with specific gifts.

The gifts given to people by God are for a specific purpose.

The giver of the gift is perfect therefore the gift is perfect.

The gift is perfect for the purpose.

Therefore the person is perfect… for that purpose.

A person gifted by God is no longer imperfect but perfectly gifted for a specific purpose.

I don’t believe we can work, develop or mature into a spiritual gift. I believe we can only work, develop and mature from a spiritual gift. God has given us exactly what He wants us to have and He expects us to use it… for the purpose He gave it to us.

Too often I let my “want to” get in the way of my “meant to”. God has gifted me (and you) graciously, intentionally, specifically and perfectly. Ephesians 2:10 and I Corinthians 12 (and other places in scripture) make that truth and the reason clear.

The older I get and the more I listen to the truth of God’s word and the more I do what I am gifted to do, the more I see my “want to” turn into my “meant to”. The Lord knows I am so far from perfect, but He is also the One who has given me a gift that makes me perfect for the purpose he gave it to me.

(That’s true for you too… In Christ, God has not only made you perfect for heaven but He has made you perfect for the purpose He created you for in the first place… Wow! What a GREAT and GRACIOUS God!)

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Thinking Out Loud

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Shane

That’s what blogging is… thinking out loud. So, by entering back into this world after a long lay off, that is what I intend to do. I have no agenda, no ax to grind, no book to sell, no following I need to create and no desire to be right.

If you have been to my site before you will notice that “What Leadership Demands” is now “Real Life. Weak Faith. Perfect Savior.” Over the last couple of years I have become increasingly aware that even as I mature – in age, life, faith & ministry – I actually know very little. I am also becoming increasingly aware that I am ok with that fact. It is with that perspective that I will begin – from time to time – to share my thoughts… out loud.

Why?

There are probably many reasons, but primarily there are two. First, I like the accountability the written word provides. I can learn more if you hear me and then respond with your ideas or thoughts. Secondly, I had a great friend die recently. His name is Zac Smith… many of you have heard his story. Zac would often encourage me to start blogging again and he would give me various reasons why. Since the time of his passing, I have been able to see more clearly that there is real and lasting value in having a record of ones thoughts and ideas… likes and dislikes… musings and ponderings… thanks Zac.

My life is real and my faith is weak but my Savior is perfect… its from that perspective that I will write.

(now, lets see just how long it is till I post again)

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