Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Flexibility

How flexible are you? On a scale of 1-10, 1 being, "Hey, we're going to have dinner at 7 instead of 6", 10 being, "Hey, that project you've put your heart and soul into for 6 months is not happening for reasons that you won't understand right now".  How did you do?

In business and ministry we are faced with these challenges regularly.  The higher the level of leadership the higher the number gets.  In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan has a daring plan; he and his armor bearer sneak off to check out one of the Philistine outposts...Jonathan decides that depending on what the Philistines reaction to seeing them is they will either head back to camp or take on the outpost (just the two of them).  Now imagine you're the armor bearer.  How much would you have to trust the guy who has seemingly put you in a life or death situation?!  This is the armor bearer's response to Jonathan's plan:  "Do what you think is best.  I'm with you completely, whatever you decide."  Amazing!  The armor bearer puts his agenda (living another day) aside and chose to serve his leader.  As a result, God gives them the victory over 20 men in that outpost, but beyond that, fear strikes the entire Philistine army. Bonus!

Flexibility is putting your well laid plans aside to serve the bigger picture or to serve your leader and in some cases to serve someone in need.  Not too long ago I was faced with a last minute change to our worship service.  I had a choice in that moment to hang on to my well laid plans or to be flexible (and to ask my team to be flexible with me).  I can't say once you get to a certain level of leadership this becomes easier, only that your resolve to be flexible becomes stronger.  I chose to go the flexible route and as a result ended up with a better service than I had originally planned.

One of my favorite sayings has become our team's mantra.  "Over prepare, then go with the flow."  I love details, I love making maps, plans and schedules... but more than that, I love being challenged to step into the unknown because that's where I believe God does his best work.   


Monday, October 18, 2010

A shot of color...

I love the bottom right square...maybe I can get my artist husband to paint me something similar... ;)

Ears to Hear

What is God speaking to you right now? Mark 4:23 says "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." How well are we listening?

This verse has reminded me lately that God wants to be given the opportunity to guide us in every aspect of our lives. In a previous blog I wrote that we all have been made uniquely, I believe that we all hear God speak in our own unique way as well. Some of us "hear" things through circumstances, through visual or audible means, through friends family or pastors. And unfortunately, sometimes we "hear" things through consequences.

Mark 4:24 continues..."Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

Well, I'd rather pay close attention than miss out on all God has for me. But what about when we really don't feel we're hearing from God?

Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." I'm sad to say I've spent too many hours (mostly when I should be sleeping) trying to solve problems on my own. Thinking that maybe if I ponder it long enough the answer will come to me. Lately, when this happens though I ask God for his wisdom and let it go. I truly believe that he honors those who ask for his help in even the smallest situation. Sometimes the answer won't always come quickly or be what we wanted to hear but God's timing is perfect and he always sees the gorgeous HD panoramic view while we usually get the pixilated thumbnail and that's where trusting in him begins.

God cares about all the details of our lives. He deeply desires relationship with us. We should always be thankful that we have a God that not only will listen to our dilemas, requests and praises but will speak to us if we would wait on him...so...are you listening?