Hello Family!
Have you ever asked a little child ... “How much do you love me?”
Usually the little one being asked raises his or her hands together, a few inches apart. You ask again, “Is that all you love me? Okay, one more chance, how much do you really love me?”
And then, the child smiles and flings their arms wide open to show just how much they love you! This brings the response we have all seen ... great joy & happiness! The questions we need to ask then are these: “Do we love Jesus?” & “How much do we really love, Jesus?”
We tend to use different artificial means to express our love for Jesus. You know what I am talking about here and can probably think of a few! Ever seen the bumper sticker, "Honk if you Love Jesus"? How about the chrome bumper fish that adorn many a car?
Have you ever been at a concert and heard the announcer or the artist use what I call ... “The Jesus Pep Rally Call”? Many emcees & bands resort to this at times in desperation to get the crowd going ... “If you love Jesus, give me a "J" "E" "S" "U" "S"! Admittedly, these are pretty weird ways to express our love for Jesus. But even stranger is how Jesus showed His love for us!
1 John 4:10, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
“Atoning sacrifice” simply means "to be set before." When God judged the sin on man on Calvary, we were the target of God’s wrath and judgment. However, God placed His Son before us so that Jesus, the Son of God would take the blow of judgment. In this came a payment (atonement) of our sin, a transaction (forgiveness) to remove our sin, and the debt of sin is cancelled (justified)!
Another word for this is propitiation! Now, I don’t know about you but I like the word propitiation! When we think about that little baby in the manger this time of year, we really should do so with the idea that he is our substitute ... he IS OUR propitiation!
I want to love Jesus for what He has done for me. And I want to do anything that He asks me to do in return! My question is this, “Is Jesus looking for bumper stickers or chants as expressions of our love for Him?” I don't think so! I believe that Jesis is looking for motion and action, after all, faith without works ... ain't breathing, right?
We need to quit seeing love as just an emotion and start seeing it as the motion behind what we do in response to the love of Christ. Loving Jesus is obeying Him as seen clearly in John 14:15, 21 & 23-24! Jesus doesn't allow love to be lowered into a sentimental or emotional love, but obedience. To Jesus, real love is not an easy thing.
Jesus asks ... DO you Love Me? then ... keep My commandments! He told us taht the Father loves those who love Him. We know that the Father loves those who do the words of Jesus, and that those that do not keep the commandments do not love Jesus.
Jesus showed His love of the Father through obedience and, consequently, we show our love for Jesus through obedience. We are to be obedient in all the things that we are asked to do in the course of our ministry to each other!
In John 21:15-17 Jesus asks Peter this question, "Do you love Me?" This is a penetrating question and it seemed to irritate Peter. I think that was because it's being aimed at him. Remember Peter had said he would die for Jesus, and yet he denied him three times.
Did Jesus doubt Peter’s answer that he loved Him? Have we ever wondered if Jesus doubts our answer? Jesus’ answer back to Peter in the three affirmations of love was "feed & tend" My lambs and sheep. I believe he was telling Peter and for that matter, all of us, “If you love Me ... serve Me. Don’t love Me in the lip service of the crowd. But love Me by serving me so as to care for My own. Jesus asks ... "Do you love Me?"
Wow! Do I need help! We all do! And ... that’s good! God doesn't intend for us to conjure up the love He desires and expects from us! He wants us to love with His love, so He’s standing by in the form of the Holy Spirit, waiting for us to simply ask for His help!
John 14:16-18 "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
God knows we are not capable in and of ourselves to love in this capacity. He gives us a Helper. The Helper is one who is called in to assist us in our weaknesses. Let us all pray to God, asking the Spirit to lead us to love Jesus by "knowing, obeying and serving" Him. We are all the ministers of the Gospel! Some of us are licensed by government, yet we are all ordained! This means we all have an opportunity to feed & tend His sheep! Are we ready?
Are we willing?
In His Grip,
pastor samme
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
My Way Or the Highway?
Proverbs 1: 32-33, “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
Basically that translates this way, "Fools will die because they refuse to listen! They ultimately will be destroyed because they don’t care! However, anyone that does listen to wisdom will live in safety and be at peace without fear of harm!"
We are beginning a new year in a couple of weeks and I believe that we all possess a true desire to influence people around us! I further believe that the way to accomplish that is to start loving all of them! One thing that I have learned over the years is that I cannot antagonize people and influence them positively at the same time!
A genuine concern for the people we know is at the very heart of the process of encouragement! As we try to help and influence people in our lives that look up to us this year, we must have positive feelings and concern for them. Since we all want to help make a positive impact on other lives, we must not harbor any dislike or bias towards them, no matter what they may have done to us in the past!
I believe the greatest gift we can give others is love and respect. Seriously, none of us likes being disrespected! It's like being kicked in the gut! Being fired from a job or publicly humiliated is devastating to our emotional balance.
We, therefore, must take on a nurturing and encouraging role with the people that we want to influence! I have heard the question voiced, “Isn’t that something they can get somewhere else, like at home or church or school?” Well, let me say this, I work in a Christian school as the school's Chaplain and as a Senior Pastor of a flock in Webster, NY. Sadly, my experience has revealed to me the unfortunate truth that even Christians are desperate for encouragement! If we take the time to nurture and encourage others, we will have the opportunity to make major impact on them!
Influence is a curious thing! We impact nearly everyone we meet in some way, however, our amount of influence we have isn’t the same with everyone! There are some people that we instinctively know are impacted by us and some that are not! Some of the people we know may think everything we say should be written down as Gospel truth, while others are skeptical of everything we say, forgetting everything they hear before we have punctuated the sentence with a period at the end! Our influence on some will be greater than our influence with others!
One thing for sure, POSITION doesn’t necessarily make a leader. We may have a title or position that has some authority, boss, teacher, parent or countless others. The bible teaches that we are ALL ministers of the Gospel. However, that does not necessarily demand influence. Influence comes from us, but we must earn it. For instance, David led Israel long before Saul lost his throne (1 Chronicles 11: 1-2). David had earned influence and Saul did not! WHY?
I believe it was because David rallied the people thereby creating and maintaining UNITY! IDENTIFICATION! David identified with his people as family!
CREDIBILITY! David’s strategies were effective!
ANOINTING! David knew that God’s hand and power was on his life!
PARTNERSHIP! David worked in cooperation with the people in his life!
People will reflect their leadership! Leaders cannot expect their team to grow beyond the example of leadership that they maintain, therefore, leaders cannot expect their team to be fundamentally different than they are!
consider Proverbs 29!
Verse 2, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” This speaks to attitude.
Verse 4 speaks to stability … “By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.”
Verse 7 speaks of compassion … “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
Verse 12 speaks of honesty … “If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.”
And finally … verse 18 gives us the vision! “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
My personal challenge this year for myself is to jettison any attitude of "My way or the highway!" and instead to remember that COMPETENCE + CHARACTER + CONNECTION = INFLUENCE!
I am going to try very hard to grow in each of these areas especially in reference to the people I know in my life and the people that I lead! We must use our influence as Christians, to lead other people in the right way and to help them grow as well!
We are all appointed by God Himself to speak into the lives of other people! Our ability to make things happen in & through them depends entirely on our ability to be led by Him! Basically … leadership is influence! Furthermore, since we are all called to be leaders, that means that we all have 2 things in common! First, we are going somewhere, and second, we are able to persuade others to follow us!
Integrity is essential to influence! Here's a challenge for all of us to follow for the year! 1 Thess. 5: 16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!”
I saw a TV documentary that spoke about the footprints of the astronauts on the moon. The ad declared that since there is nor rain or wind that they will last a million years! Well … God in Christ left footprints on this planet for 33 years and after 2,000 years, His footprints are just as fresh as the day He walked the earth! The impact of His presence is still felt in the souls of people all over the world.
This year, we will all have an opportunity to encourage others to walk in our footprints! I believe that they will only IF ... we are joyful, prayed up and thankful! For this is the will of God! Amen? Amen!
In HIS Grip,
samme
Basically that translates this way, "Fools will die because they refuse to listen! They ultimately will be destroyed because they don’t care! However, anyone that does listen to wisdom will live in safety and be at peace without fear of harm!"
We are beginning a new year in a couple of weeks and I believe that we all possess a true desire to influence people around us! I further believe that the way to accomplish that is to start loving all of them! One thing that I have learned over the years is that I cannot antagonize people and influence them positively at the same time!
A genuine concern for the people we know is at the very heart of the process of encouragement! As we try to help and influence people in our lives that look up to us this year, we must have positive feelings and concern for them. Since we all want to help make a positive impact on other lives, we must not harbor any dislike or bias towards them, no matter what they may have done to us in the past!
I believe the greatest gift we can give others is love and respect. Seriously, none of us likes being disrespected! It's like being kicked in the gut! Being fired from a job or publicly humiliated is devastating to our emotional balance.
We, therefore, must take on a nurturing and encouraging role with the people that we want to influence! I have heard the question voiced, “Isn’t that something they can get somewhere else, like at home or church or school?” Well, let me say this, I work in a Christian school as the school's Chaplain and as a Senior Pastor of a flock in Webster, NY. Sadly, my experience has revealed to me the unfortunate truth that even Christians are desperate for encouragement! If we take the time to nurture and encourage others, we will have the opportunity to make major impact on them!
Influence is a curious thing! We impact nearly everyone we meet in some way, however, our amount of influence we have isn’t the same with everyone! There are some people that we instinctively know are impacted by us and some that are not! Some of the people we know may think everything we say should be written down as Gospel truth, while others are skeptical of everything we say, forgetting everything they hear before we have punctuated the sentence with a period at the end! Our influence on some will be greater than our influence with others!
One thing for sure, POSITION doesn’t necessarily make a leader. We may have a title or position that has some authority, boss, teacher, parent or countless others. The bible teaches that we are ALL ministers of the Gospel. However, that does not necessarily demand influence. Influence comes from us, but we must earn it. For instance, David led Israel long before Saul lost his throne (1 Chronicles 11: 1-2). David had earned influence and Saul did not! WHY?
I believe it was because David rallied the people thereby creating and maintaining UNITY! IDENTIFICATION! David identified with his people as family!
CREDIBILITY! David’s strategies were effective!
ANOINTING! David knew that God’s hand and power was on his life!
PARTNERSHIP! David worked in cooperation with the people in his life!
People will reflect their leadership! Leaders cannot expect their team to grow beyond the example of leadership that they maintain, therefore, leaders cannot expect their team to be fundamentally different than they are!
consider Proverbs 29!
Verse 2, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” This speaks to attitude.
Verse 4 speaks to stability … “By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.”
Verse 7 speaks of compassion … “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
Verse 12 speaks of honesty … “If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.”
And finally … verse 18 gives us the vision! “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
My personal challenge this year for myself is to jettison any attitude of "My way or the highway!" and instead to remember that COMPETENCE + CHARACTER + CONNECTION = INFLUENCE!
I am going to try very hard to grow in each of these areas especially in reference to the people I know in my life and the people that I lead! We must use our influence as Christians, to lead other people in the right way and to help them grow as well!
We are all appointed by God Himself to speak into the lives of other people! Our ability to make things happen in & through them depends entirely on our ability to be led by Him! Basically … leadership is influence! Furthermore, since we are all called to be leaders, that means that we all have 2 things in common! First, we are going somewhere, and second, we are able to persuade others to follow us!
Integrity is essential to influence! Here's a challenge for all of us to follow for the year! 1 Thess. 5: 16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!”
I saw a TV documentary that spoke about the footprints of the astronauts on the moon. The ad declared that since there is nor rain or wind that they will last a million years! Well … God in Christ left footprints on this planet for 33 years and after 2,000 years, His footprints are just as fresh as the day He walked the earth! The impact of His presence is still felt in the souls of people all over the world.
This year, we will all have an opportunity to encourage others to walk in our footprints! I believe that they will only IF ... we are joyful, prayed up and thankful! For this is the will of God! Amen? Amen!
In HIS Grip,
samme
Monday, December 7, 2009
Dancing In Times Of Change
Recently … Jeanie & I have been watching the TV show called “Dancing with the Stars!” It’s actually quite a nice change from the cutthroat reality shows … and other offerings these days …
Here's the deal though ... if Jeanie & I tried to dance like those stars I know I would be stepping all over her feet! The dance lessons these stars had to engage in where critical to their success! What was once clumsy became more and more polished … and soon the stars began to truly shine in their routines! With trust building in each other … the dancer’s learned to waltz … rumba … tango & free-style dance with minimal damage to their toes and self-esteem!
I believe that handling change in life is like a dance. When change comes … the people that are involved are greatly influenced by each other's steps. The most masterful dancers know how to lead confidently, and yet gently move their partner into a beautiful forward motion. When time is given to mastering each step, the dance eventually becomes fun & enjoyable … instead of hard work.
What is the Nature of Change?
Well … we know that Jesus wrestled with change! There was the daily reality of adoring crowds pressing against Him … and yet … there was the move into the contrasting image of His disciples running away from Him in rejection and fear. Change was apparently part of God's redemptive story for humanity. I hate change ... yet ... I know that there are some realities that constantly accompany the transitions in our lives … both personal change and corporate change! For example … change is usually hard for people. Transitioning or changing from one known … and comfortable reality to another unseen reality is something that can break even the most flexible among us!
Change is also good. We need to keep moving ahead or we get caught in a rut! In the ruts … we never ponder where we've been and where we are, and never becoming all that God wants us to be. Change is good because it leads us to growth! If we can embrace these two truths … that change is both hard and good … we will grow and be more fruitful in the changes of life’s journey!
As a leader, I have made transitions with other leaders! I have moved large groups of people over time and changed with small groups of people very quickly. I've changed and exchanged roles as a supervisor, laborer, and pastor … chief cook and bottle washer … and each time I have taken mental notes as to what I would do again … and what I wouldn’t!
I have initiated major changes … and major changes have initiated me. I am experienceing a major change right now! After 17 years of service on air at WITR-FM in Rochester, NY ... I was told Christian Radio was not relevant to the community they wanted to reach. I am heartbroken ... and yet at the end of the day, a life without change is a life without adventure! Jesus chose the Kingdom adventure! I do too!
Let me share a few "dance steps" I have developed in my experiences with the changes in life. Let’s call it the “Dance of Change!” Like learning to dance, going along with change requires that we pay attention to the right steps, with practice, and growing confidence in our Guide! I have watched leaders dance with grace as the people they influenced went through seasons of change!
I have also watched leaders jerk their partners around and expect the dance to be enjoyable! The end result there is people getting their toes stepped on! We need to think about the steps as we dance through change!
First … we should take our time! There is no hurry! Sure … some change must come overnight … and sometimes we don't have enough time to positively enact change because of our impatience!
In seasons of change … our emotions run high and we feel a sense of urgency about ... well ... almost everything. I have been changing and dancing into the role of senior pastor of our church … over the past 7 years. It has been a slow dance. Sometimes change is like turning a huge ship around … is happens very slowly! However, the result is that things seem to be virtually on track … though not always perfect!
In change … we can’t let our emotions dictate the speed of change. Feelings are often unreliable … especially when change has to come due to our stress level. We need to seek the Lord for His timing whenever change comes … and … take the slower path whenever we are in doubt! Then … if at the end of the day we and our godly counselors believe the change should happen quickly … we can adjust & make our change with confidence! We simply have to let God lead!
I have assigned people to different tasks and made some decisions in over the years that have affected our fellowship. One person once told me, "Samme, if you think it's okay, we'll think it's okay." He was speaking to my need to move ahead confidently with faith in God regarding the changes we were undertaking!
Here’s the deal … once we have heard God, we must not look back or waffle in doubt or the questions that come up! We need to address each question well, but then set our eyes to the new horizon. In other words ... Keep dancing!
When dancing, moving too fast or too slowly, is equally damaging! We want to be able to glide from one state of affairs to another. During the times of change , we shouldn’t look to others for a sense of confirmation! If God told us to do it, then we need to do it with faith and trust in Him. We simply let Him lead!
I heard that for every action there is an equal and opposite criticism. When people begin to question us … we shouldn’t stop (which is going slower than God) or jump ship … (which is going faster than God!) We simply need to be faithful and obedient … and let HIM lead!
That doesn’t mean we should ignore others! Many people in times of change become less open to criticism and guidance! We can listen to people’s concerns and answer them wisely. Remember … if God is leading, people can have all sorts of opinions on how well we are dancing, BUT ... that doesn’t mean they get to lead. The truth is though that if we are willing to chat with the people directly affected by the changes we are going through now … they may ask the questions we will need to address later!
Don't be afraid of the dance of change! Just continue to ask God for direction during a season of change. Ask Him the hard questions … "What are you after in me, God," "Is there anything I’m not handling well," "Is there someone I have dishonored in this time of change", or "Are my emotions getting in the way of Your purposes here, God?" Asking the hard questions early in the dance saves us from getting our toes steeped on later!
Sometimes change comes because someone else has an agenda of their own! Most people can smell a hidden agenda a mile away. As best as we can … we need to be honest with everyone that is going through the change with us! Honesty remains the best policy, and those we lead will trust that we have their best interests in mind, even when we have make changes that are hard! God is always honest with us!
The dance requires us to be loving and generous to our family and friends that have supported us through the time of change. Be happy as they watch you dance … give them something to laugh about as well something to pray about! In the dance of change … we need to embrace the fruit of the Spirit! That greatly raise the chances that we will come through the change with glory!
In change there are voices that we hear in the background! They could be asking the right questions … even if they sound negative and distrustful! It could simply be their "hurt" talking as they change with us! We shouldn’t avoid people that are finding the changes hard. We all have to go through some personal changes … and if we are dancing together … it will be easier and much more fun!
We can keep a journal of what we perceive God is after during the change in our life! We need to be mindful of the heart goals in discipleship, maturity and transformation … not just practical changes and increased "ministry opportunity" language. As I lead Oasis in the dance of change … it’s my job to help my team … and our church … see the future we had ahead of us!
Part of the dance is watching the other people on the dance floor in order not to crash into them! Vision comes from the Latin root "visio", which means "to see." In times of change we see beyond and behind of us! Depending on what we see ahead … we can adjust our dance In change … we can adjust to what we see ahead! By looking ahead we increase our hope and comfort instead of being consumed only with the present.
In a square dance … sometimes a person’s partner is twirled & then caught by another! If that person is not there … well … the person being twirled is left alone! It’s like dropping the ball when we should be carrying it! And yet, dropping the ball is good when it’s someone else's turn to pick it up!
There are seasons of change in our lives when we are supposed to drop the ball because it is someone else’s turn to carry it! There are ways to "stay and go" at the same time! I remember when my Dad virtually turned over the family to me as the elder brother! He didn’t go anywhere … but the family decisions were more on me than him! He stayed … yet … he gave me the ball to carry! Every leader raises someone else up to take their place when the dance of change is complete.
That’s when we let them get on the dance floor & dance! We might offer our perspective and influence to those in transition … but we need to allow them the space to "find their feet" in the new season they are in and let God lead them! We don’t need to rescue everyone from the dance! We shouldn’t “cut-in” on God! They might step on God’s toes a few times … but He can take it!
Here’s my bottom line … every time our head hits the pillow … and another day of dance has been completed … we can once again give our aches and pains to God.
As each “day of change” is checked off our calendar … God wants to hear our thoughts as we think about the forward movement that we and those we "dance with" press on! We can use our words and heart songs in our language of prayer during these times … voicing our confidence that God will complete the good work that we believe He's begun. After all the reason He has brought change is because He’s after our heart and the hearts of those involved.
We will all go through the experience of change! The changes we have been personally point to this truth … obedience to Christ in a season of change is essential!
1 Peter 4:8 says … "love covers a multitude of sins!" In the process of the dance of change … a good leader can cover up the greatest missteps! Well, who greater to lead than Jesus?
We need to dance the dance by embracing obedience … and making those moves with confidence … knowing that "He who began a good work in us ..." (Phil. 1:6) will faithfully complete the transformation of our heart through the next change! Love well and learn well from your season of change - and learn to enjoy the dance.
Amen!
Here's the deal though ... if Jeanie & I tried to dance like those stars I know I would be stepping all over her feet! The dance lessons these stars had to engage in where critical to their success! What was once clumsy became more and more polished … and soon the stars began to truly shine in their routines! With trust building in each other … the dancer’s learned to waltz … rumba … tango & free-style dance with minimal damage to their toes and self-esteem!
I believe that handling change in life is like a dance. When change comes … the people that are involved are greatly influenced by each other's steps. The most masterful dancers know how to lead confidently, and yet gently move their partner into a beautiful forward motion. When time is given to mastering each step, the dance eventually becomes fun & enjoyable … instead of hard work.
What is the Nature of Change?
Well … we know that Jesus wrestled with change! There was the daily reality of adoring crowds pressing against Him … and yet … there was the move into the contrasting image of His disciples running away from Him in rejection and fear. Change was apparently part of God's redemptive story for humanity. I hate change ... yet ... I know that there are some realities that constantly accompany the transitions in our lives … both personal change and corporate change! For example … change is usually hard for people. Transitioning or changing from one known … and comfortable reality to another unseen reality is something that can break even the most flexible among us!
Change is also good. We need to keep moving ahead or we get caught in a rut! In the ruts … we never ponder where we've been and where we are, and never becoming all that God wants us to be. Change is good because it leads us to growth! If we can embrace these two truths … that change is both hard and good … we will grow and be more fruitful in the changes of life’s journey!
As a leader, I have made transitions with other leaders! I have moved large groups of people over time and changed with small groups of people very quickly. I've changed and exchanged roles as a supervisor, laborer, and pastor … chief cook and bottle washer … and each time I have taken mental notes as to what I would do again … and what I wouldn’t!
I have initiated major changes … and major changes have initiated me. I am experienceing a major change right now! After 17 years of service on air at WITR-FM in Rochester, NY ... I was told Christian Radio was not relevant to the community they wanted to reach. I am heartbroken ... and yet at the end of the day, a life without change is a life without adventure! Jesus chose the Kingdom adventure! I do too!
Let me share a few "dance steps" I have developed in my experiences with the changes in life. Let’s call it the “Dance of Change!” Like learning to dance, going along with change requires that we pay attention to the right steps, with practice, and growing confidence in our Guide! I have watched leaders dance with grace as the people they influenced went through seasons of change!
I have also watched leaders jerk their partners around and expect the dance to be enjoyable! The end result there is people getting their toes stepped on! We need to think about the steps as we dance through change!
First … we should take our time! There is no hurry! Sure … some change must come overnight … and sometimes we don't have enough time to positively enact change because of our impatience!
In seasons of change … our emotions run high and we feel a sense of urgency about ... well ... almost everything. I have been changing and dancing into the role of senior pastor of our church … over the past 7 years. It has been a slow dance. Sometimes change is like turning a huge ship around … is happens very slowly! However, the result is that things seem to be virtually on track … though not always perfect!
In change … we can’t let our emotions dictate the speed of change. Feelings are often unreliable … especially when change has to come due to our stress level. We need to seek the Lord for His timing whenever change comes … and … take the slower path whenever we are in doubt! Then … if at the end of the day we and our godly counselors believe the change should happen quickly … we can adjust & make our change with confidence! We simply have to let God lead!
I have assigned people to different tasks and made some decisions in over the years that have affected our fellowship. One person once told me, "Samme, if you think it's okay, we'll think it's okay." He was speaking to my need to move ahead confidently with faith in God regarding the changes we were undertaking!
Here’s the deal … once we have heard God, we must not look back or waffle in doubt or the questions that come up! We need to address each question well, but then set our eyes to the new horizon. In other words ... Keep dancing!
When dancing, moving too fast or too slowly, is equally damaging! We want to be able to glide from one state of affairs to another. During the times of change , we shouldn’t look to others for a sense of confirmation! If God told us to do it, then we need to do it with faith and trust in Him. We simply let Him lead!
I heard that for every action there is an equal and opposite criticism. When people begin to question us … we shouldn’t stop (which is going slower than God) or jump ship … (which is going faster than God!) We simply need to be faithful and obedient … and let HIM lead!
That doesn’t mean we should ignore others! Many people in times of change become less open to criticism and guidance! We can listen to people’s concerns and answer them wisely. Remember … if God is leading, people can have all sorts of opinions on how well we are dancing, BUT ... that doesn’t mean they get to lead. The truth is though that if we are willing to chat with the people directly affected by the changes we are going through now … they may ask the questions we will need to address later!
Don't be afraid of the dance of change! Just continue to ask God for direction during a season of change. Ask Him the hard questions … "What are you after in me, God," "Is there anything I’m not handling well," "Is there someone I have dishonored in this time of change", or "Are my emotions getting in the way of Your purposes here, God?" Asking the hard questions early in the dance saves us from getting our toes steeped on later!
Sometimes change comes because someone else has an agenda of their own! Most people can smell a hidden agenda a mile away. As best as we can … we need to be honest with everyone that is going through the change with us! Honesty remains the best policy, and those we lead will trust that we have their best interests in mind, even when we have make changes that are hard! God is always honest with us!
The dance requires us to be loving and generous to our family and friends that have supported us through the time of change. Be happy as they watch you dance … give them something to laugh about as well something to pray about! In the dance of change … we need to embrace the fruit of the Spirit! That greatly raise the chances that we will come through the change with glory!
In change there are voices that we hear in the background! They could be asking the right questions … even if they sound negative and distrustful! It could simply be their "hurt" talking as they change with us! We shouldn’t avoid people that are finding the changes hard. We all have to go through some personal changes … and if we are dancing together … it will be easier and much more fun!
We can keep a journal of what we perceive God is after during the change in our life! We need to be mindful of the heart goals in discipleship, maturity and transformation … not just practical changes and increased "ministry opportunity" language. As I lead Oasis in the dance of change … it’s my job to help my team … and our church … see the future we had ahead of us!
Part of the dance is watching the other people on the dance floor in order not to crash into them! Vision comes from the Latin root "visio", which means "to see." In times of change we see beyond and behind of us! Depending on what we see ahead … we can adjust our dance In change … we can adjust to what we see ahead! By looking ahead we increase our hope and comfort instead of being consumed only with the present.
In a square dance … sometimes a person’s partner is twirled & then caught by another! If that person is not there … well … the person being twirled is left alone! It’s like dropping the ball when we should be carrying it! And yet, dropping the ball is good when it’s someone else's turn to pick it up!
There are seasons of change in our lives when we are supposed to drop the ball because it is someone else’s turn to carry it! There are ways to "stay and go" at the same time! I remember when my Dad virtually turned over the family to me as the elder brother! He didn’t go anywhere … but the family decisions were more on me than him! He stayed … yet … he gave me the ball to carry! Every leader raises someone else up to take their place when the dance of change is complete.
That’s when we let them get on the dance floor & dance! We might offer our perspective and influence to those in transition … but we need to allow them the space to "find their feet" in the new season they are in and let God lead them! We don’t need to rescue everyone from the dance! We shouldn’t “cut-in” on God! They might step on God’s toes a few times … but He can take it!
Here’s my bottom line … every time our head hits the pillow … and another day of dance has been completed … we can once again give our aches and pains to God.
As each “day of change” is checked off our calendar … God wants to hear our thoughts as we think about the forward movement that we and those we "dance with" press on! We can use our words and heart songs in our language of prayer during these times … voicing our confidence that God will complete the good work that we believe He's begun. After all the reason He has brought change is because He’s after our heart and the hearts of those involved.
We will all go through the experience of change! The changes we have been personally point to this truth … obedience to Christ in a season of change is essential!
1 Peter 4:8 says … "love covers a multitude of sins!" In the process of the dance of change … a good leader can cover up the greatest missteps! Well, who greater to lead than Jesus?
We need to dance the dance by embracing obedience … and making those moves with confidence … knowing that "He who began a good work in us ..." (Phil. 1:6) will faithfully complete the transformation of our heart through the next change! Love well and learn well from your season of change - and learn to enjoy the dance.
Amen!
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