I've been teaching (and learning) an adult Sunday School class at church and lately the content has been largely intersecting with my journey of analysis of my personal gift of leadership. True leadership has the tendency of being very, very lonely at times - this is not the case under the paradigm where "everyone is a leader", but it is a reality for those called into leadership roles. The Old Testatment recounts the story of the nation of Israel including the exodus of the people from slavery in Egypt into the wilderness and ultimately into the land they were promised. Although being delivered from slavery through miraculous things (passover, plagues, Red Sea), as time passed and things became uncomfortable, the people would start complaining and "grumbling" against Moses. Then God (through Moses) would meet the need of the people (water, food, etc) and the people would be content; but only for a time and they would start grumbling again.
As I reflected on the story from both a faith and a leadership perspective, I am reminded of the harsh reality of leadership. Part of this story confirms what I feel from time to time and I find comfort in knowing that I have shared in some of Moses troubles. But part of the story also causes me to look for affirmation of the leadership gift in me, but also make sure I know what I can lean on when the fires and loneliness of leadership hits.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The Funnel
Have you ever gone to the Science Museum or somewhere where they have a huge funnel where you drop a coin at the top and it goes around the giant funnel but as gravity sets in it progresses toward the narrow part of the funnel and gets faster and faster until it finally drops through the hole?
This is the new mental picture I have for my life. In my quest for my sweet spot, I'm finding my funnel starting to get faster.... corporate America? church work? teaching? writing? learning? As much as there is going on now, I do believe some of these will be forced to be removed as the funnel speeds up ultimately dropping my focus through the funnel and into the bucket where it belongs. I often wonder if this is a self-created funnel or if this is a God-created funnel for the sake of helping me see where to place my focus.
This is why I need to write a book! I need to document my journey to help others I know are going through this same struggle. I think I need to take a week off, go to a rustic cabin, and start plunking keys.
This is the new mental picture I have for my life. In my quest for my sweet spot, I'm finding my funnel starting to get faster.... corporate America? church work? teaching? writing? learning? As much as there is going on now, I do believe some of these will be forced to be removed as the funnel speeds up ultimately dropping my focus through the funnel and into the bucket where it belongs. I often wonder if this is a self-created funnel or if this is a God-created funnel for the sake of helping me see where to place my focus.
This is why I need to write a book! I need to document my journey to help others I know are going through this same struggle. I think I need to take a week off, go to a rustic cabin, and start plunking keys.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Fish Envy
The previous post was intended to go on my Executive Pastor blog, not my personal blog... none-the-less any thoughts are welcomed from the general public.
What I wanted to share here was the depression that befell me Saturday when I put the boat away for the year. I borrowed my father-in-laws boat this summer (but really not until late June) so I fished more than I ever have... it was great, but next year I'll get it in May and really do some damage. It was sad to put it away for the year, even though it is November.
What made it worse is opening the Cambridge Star and seeing a picture of the guy who just caught a 52 pound muskie on Mille Lacs - I literally wanted to throw up I was so jealous! OK, we just covered the 10 commandments in my class on Sunday, but this coveting proved to me that I still fall far short. Should I have coveted that fish? No. Did I? Oh, yeah... big time! My goal for fishing remains to catch a northern or muskie over 40 inches... like Cubs fans always say, "There's always next year!"
What I wanted to share here was the depression that befell me Saturday when I put the boat away for the year. I borrowed my father-in-laws boat this summer (but really not until late June) so I fished more than I ever have... it was great, but next year I'll get it in May and really do some damage. It was sad to put it away for the year, even though it is November.
What made it worse is opening the Cambridge Star and seeing a picture of the guy who just caught a 52 pound muskie on Mille Lacs - I literally wanted to throw up I was so jealous! OK, we just covered the 10 commandments in my class on Sunday, but this coveting proved to me that I still fall far short. Should I have coveted that fish? No. Did I? Oh, yeah... big time! My goal for fishing remains to catch a northern or muskie over 40 inches... like Cubs fans always say, "There's always next year!"
What-if-a-cation?
We had a great class yesterday at church where we discussed the 10 commandments that God gave to the nation of Israel through Moses. We didn't even talk about the 10 specifically as we focused on the need for the law... why did/does God give us "laws"? Why do we have laws in our culture? Is God punishing us or protecting us? Does this create captivity or freedom? If the law defines our sin, then what is the importance of recognizing that we are sinners? How does recognizing our sin help us understand the nature of God?... or what Jesus did for us?
Obviously, there was some riveting conversation. Through it all, we talked about how God "consecrated" Moses, and then Aaron, setting them apart for meeting with God on Mt. Sinai. We talked about what consecration means which led to wondering what the difference was between consecration and sanctification. Is consecration a state of being set apart whereas sanctification is the process of being consecrated? Are they tied that tightly together? Are they much different?
I took it upon myself to "ask the experts" and committed to bringing some insight back to the class next Sunday. I will also ask the experts to post their comments on this blog as well. If you have thoughts on this, please share with the rest of us.
Obviously, there was some riveting conversation. Through it all, we talked about how God "consecrated" Moses, and then Aaron, setting them apart for meeting with God on Mt. Sinai. We talked about what consecration means which led to wondering what the difference was between consecration and sanctification. Is consecration a state of being set apart whereas sanctification is the process of being consecrated? Are they tied that tightly together? Are they much different?
I took it upon myself to "ask the experts" and committed to bringing some insight back to the class next Sunday. I will also ask the experts to post their comments on this blog as well. If you have thoughts on this, please share with the rest of us.
Friday, November 9, 2007
"Success"
We have been having a great discussion at our book club on Henry Cloud's "Integrity" - see leadrshipdiscussiongroup.blogspot.com. This discussion has led me more and more to be annoyed when people write books on success without first acknowledging that we must have our own definition of success (or at least defining specifically what the author means by "success"). Even within that, I think success is an internal and individual issue.... success in business, even success as CEO, is going to mean different things for different people so how can we sit back and judge someone else's success when we don't know what their objectives are?
We discussed the disparity between Bill Belicheck and Tony Dungee and thought it would be a great case study to consider what each of them considers success and see how they are doing relative to that. Based on the commonly held understanding of success as NFL coaches, they are both highly successful. I laid out the challenge to each group member to define what success is for them and then do an honest assessment of where their life is heading relative to that definition.... I have done this to some degree, but in light of this new discussion I want to do it more deeply... it will also serve to help us solidify what we are doing in life.
I believe that success is linked to purpose.... that success is a measure to which a person lived out their purpose (which may be a CEO, an NFL coach, a teacher, a housewife, someone who brings smiles to others, a good listener, etc). I recently wrote a comment on a bulletin board for a 29 year old gal I knew that died of cancer. A portion of this read, "... she made the most of the time and energy she was given. Well done!" Was she successful? Not by common definition - but she lived life to the full and left her piece of the world better than when she entered.... I believe she was highly successful.
We discussed the disparity between Bill Belicheck and Tony Dungee and thought it would be a great case study to consider what each of them considers success and see how they are doing relative to that. Based on the commonly held understanding of success as NFL coaches, they are both highly successful. I laid out the challenge to each group member to define what success is for them and then do an honest assessment of where their life is heading relative to that definition.... I have done this to some degree, but in light of this new discussion I want to do it more deeply... it will also serve to help us solidify what we are doing in life.
I believe that success is linked to purpose.... that success is a measure to which a person lived out their purpose (which may be a CEO, an NFL coach, a teacher, a housewife, someone who brings smiles to others, a good listener, etc). I recently wrote a comment on a bulletin board for a 29 year old gal I knew that died of cancer. A portion of this read, "... she made the most of the time and energy she was given. Well done!" Was she successful? Not by common definition - but she lived life to the full and left her piece of the world better than when she entered.... I believe she was highly successful.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Heart & Soul
Normally I wouldn't submit basically the same posting on my two blogs, but this one has been at the forefront of my mind since Sunday so I wanted to share it here also....
Our pastor taught on Sunday about Jonathan and his armor bearer. The nation of Israel was basically hopeless against the Philistine army with only a couple of swords and far less people. But Jonathan was not going to sit back and be destroyed so he decided to sneak up the side of the mountain to where the mountain pass was being guarded with Philistine soldiers. It seemed like a death wish, but he felt God was leading him to do this. He presented his plan to his armor bearer who boldly stated that no matter what Jonathan did, he would be with him "heart and soul." No matter what the situation; no matter what the odds. He was passionately sold out to Jonathan and his mission.
What are we sold out to? God calls us to live lives that are passionately sold out to Him... to understand that the purposes God created us for included being "crucified with Christ" so that it is no longer us living, but Christ living through us. What then, does it mean, to have Christ living through us? Well, how did Christ teach us to live? It is better to love than hate; to forgive than hold bitterness; to help than to walk away --- I believe Christ calls us to a radically inclusive kind of love. When we live our lives walking in love (not mushy gooshy words over action, but the kind of love that transforms lives) then we are showing that we are with God "heart and soul."
"Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." - 1 Samuel 14:7
Our pastor taught on Sunday about Jonathan and his armor bearer. The nation of Israel was basically hopeless against the Philistine army with only a couple of swords and far less people. But Jonathan was not going to sit back and be destroyed so he decided to sneak up the side of the mountain to where the mountain pass was being guarded with Philistine soldiers. It seemed like a death wish, but he felt God was leading him to do this. He presented his plan to his armor bearer who boldly stated that no matter what Jonathan did, he would be with him "heart and soul." No matter what the situation; no matter what the odds. He was passionately sold out to Jonathan and his mission.
What are we sold out to? God calls us to live lives that are passionately sold out to Him... to understand that the purposes God created us for included being "crucified with Christ" so that it is no longer us living, but Christ living through us. What then, does it mean, to have Christ living through us? Well, how did Christ teach us to live? It is better to love than hate; to forgive than hold bitterness; to help than to walk away --- I believe Christ calls us to a radically inclusive kind of love. When we live our lives walking in love (not mushy gooshy words over action, but the kind of love that transforms lives) then we are showing that we are with God "heart and soul."
"Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." - 1 Samuel 14:7
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