Philippians 2:3. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (The Message uses the phrase “help others to get ahead”). As a long-time student of effective leadership, I understand the impact that a group of people working together can make as compared to the efforts of an individual. We learn this basic principle in grade school through team activities. Later, we observe organizations and nations working together and accomplishing incredible good.
I have also come to understand that unity is indispensable to team effectiveness. This states the obvious, but you need only look at the performance of sports teams loaded with guys concerned mainly about themselves and you see what I mean.
Let me go one step further. I believe that unity is only possible through humility. Scripture says we need to value others highly and put their interests ahead of our own. My pride and ego often get in the way of this – I am quick to think that I have the best plan. But I have learned (over a long time and not without some pain!) that there are many, many other perspectives and experiences that I need to respect. This is not simply an exercise in self-deprecation – rather, I get the benefit of learning from others and I am blessed when I can “help others get ahead.”
One of the coolest things about the bible is that it contains both truth and practical wisdom. I have found this verse to be enormously helpful in my everyday life.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Experiencing Joy
James 1:2-3. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Hello? This doesn’t exactly sound like joy to me!
The dictionary defines joy as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.” In our culture, that often means something temporal or experiential. When it comes to the Christian faith, joy means gladness or deep satisfaction that comes from a sense of knowing one’s identity and purpose.
In essence, that “something exceptionally good or satisfying” is God himself and our relationship with him. We have our identity in him – scripture says we are his children and are greatly loved and valued by him. He desires that we love him in return. We also have our purpose in him – to accomplish that unique work which he prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
James understood that the work of the early church was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire (not exactly supportive of the effort) in a loving and winsome manner. He also understood that there is no gain without pain, and so he and the early church members were able to face trials with a joyful heart, knowing that their identity in Christ was secure and their purpose was clear.
May we earnestly seek God in order to know with great clarity our identity and purpose – and then experience great joy no matter what the circumstances of life may hold for us!
The dictionary defines joy as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.” In our culture, that often means something temporal or experiential. When it comes to the Christian faith, joy means gladness or deep satisfaction that comes from a sense of knowing one’s identity and purpose.
In essence, that “something exceptionally good or satisfying” is God himself and our relationship with him. We have our identity in him – scripture says we are his children and are greatly loved and valued by him. He desires that we love him in return. We also have our purpose in him – to accomplish that unique work which he prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
James understood that the work of the early church was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire (not exactly supportive of the effort) in a loving and winsome manner. He also understood that there is no gain without pain, and so he and the early church members were able to face trials with a joyful heart, knowing that their identity in Christ was secure and their purpose was clear.
May we earnestly seek God in order to know with great clarity our identity and purpose – and then experience great joy no matter what the circumstances of life may hold for us!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Trusting God
Thanks for the comments! I’m encouraged to continue…
Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Many of you know that this is the verse from which our company name, Straight Path Management, is derived. It is paradoxical that a firm whose service is expert advice and counsel would take its name from a verse that confesses its lack of understanding! But here’s our challenge: as bright, well-educated people, we rely heavily on our own understanding, often ignoring God or fitting him into our perception of truth and reality. We need a dose of humility that acknowledges God as all-knowing and all-loving. This can be in the form of a simple prayer that says, “Lord, I can’t figure this out and I need your guidance” or, “Lord, I think I have this figured out but I want to know your plan and not assume that my way is the best way.”
Finally, we need to trust God. Trust that he loves us the way he says he does and that he wants what is best for us. We don’t always see this in the midst of a challenging time, but God is in the business of growing our character, not our comfort!
Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Many of you know that this is the verse from which our company name, Straight Path Management, is derived. It is paradoxical that a firm whose service is expert advice and counsel would take its name from a verse that confesses its lack of understanding! But here’s our challenge: as bright, well-educated people, we rely heavily on our own understanding, often ignoring God or fitting him into our perception of truth and reality. We need a dose of humility that acknowledges God as all-knowing and all-loving. This can be in the form of a simple prayer that says, “Lord, I can’t figure this out and I need your guidance” or, “Lord, I think I have this figured out but I want to know your plan and not assume that my way is the best way.”
Finally, we need to trust God. Trust that he loves us the way he says he does and that he wants what is best for us. We don’t always see this in the midst of a challenging time, but God is in the business of growing our character, not our comfort!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
August 24, 2008
Okay, I'm new at this so bear with me. With Andrew is South Africa, Chris in India and Lindsay in Japan, I wanted to share a daily devotion to help us stay connected spiritually. I hope that our immediate family and others will visit this blog regularly, and I am trusting that the Lord will use this to draw us closer to himself and to one another.
Matthew 5:16. "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your father in heaven." I'm beginning here because this is my "life verse", a verse in scripture that has particular meaning for me. Jesus gives us two important thoughts here. First, we are to do good works. To me, this means we are to love others in tangible ways, serving them holistically. The cool thing is that God has created us indidually so how I love people will be different than how you do. We don't have to compare ourselves to others. God has given us unique talents, gifts and experiences that he wants us to use for his good purposes. Second, the reason we do good works is to bring praise, credit and glory to God. It's not about us - what credit or affirmation we get is not important. Rather, we want people to naturally give the credit to God when we do good works. This means that we need to be identified with God and, in a winsome way, help point people to him.
Well, that's it for now. Comments encouraged! I love you.
Dad
Matthew 5:16. "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your father in heaven." I'm beginning here because this is my "life verse", a verse in scripture that has particular meaning for me. Jesus gives us two important thoughts here. First, we are to do good works. To me, this means we are to love others in tangible ways, serving them holistically. The cool thing is that God has created us indidually so how I love people will be different than how you do. We don't have to compare ourselves to others. God has given us unique talents, gifts and experiences that he wants us to use for his good purposes. Second, the reason we do good works is to bring praise, credit and glory to God. It's not about us - what credit or affirmation we get is not important. Rather, we want people to naturally give the credit to God when we do good works. This means that we need to be identified with God and, in a winsome way, help point people to him.
Well, that's it for now. Comments encouraged! I love you.
Dad
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