There’s no difference
I was a toddler... maybe five or six years old. Even though Texas isn’t the “deep south,” we had our share of racial bias. You could hear it in expressions used casually among regular folks. I remember being in one of the downtown department stores with my mom and siblings. I was thirsty, but there was a line at the “White” water fountain. No one was at the “Colored” water fountain. I remember Mom saying, “Drink here. There’s no difference.” I heard.
My dad had a radio-TV repair shop in downtown Fort Worth. I sometimes rode with him in his 1949 GMC panel truck when he went on calls to take repaired TVs to their owners, or to pick up a broken one. On occasion Dad would have too much work for his small shop, so we would go see Bob Durham in southeast Fort Worth, a black man who also repaired TVs. Dad and Bob treated each other with mutual respect. I watched.
Were there racial prejudices and problems in my hometown? Sure. Were my mom and dad totally without fault in matters of skin color and race? No. And though I learned to respect all people as a young boy, I must admit my heart and my attitudes are not always where they should be. I still need to hear, to watch, and to learn.
Others have said it and I’m the same. I’m sure I don’t understand what our black friends experience or what they and their families have had to endure all their lives. I don’t see the world from their perspective, and that keeps a barrier between us, even though it may be a low cultural wall. Still...it is there.
You may be reading this in another country and are wondering why I am writing this for a Monday Memo. Every country I have visited has racial prejudice among the different ethnic groups. A friend in Russia was concerned for her husband because he was from a different ethnic background, from a region that was engaged in fighting with authorities over their rights. She was afraid he would be attacked on the streets. Sound familiar? If you give it some thought, you can probably come up with a people...an ethnic group...that you struggle with in your heart. “We don’t trust them. We don’t accept them. We don’t relate to them. Bottom line...we don’t love them.” We don’t communicate that in words, but we do with our actions...or lack of action.
Love.
That’s what it comes down to. Do we love others...all others...as we love ourselves? Do we take God’s Word seriously when it says we should consider others more highly than ourselves? Paul underscored the importance of honoring others.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
James taught what discrimination and a judgmental heart reveals about a follower of Christ.
...doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? James 2:4 NLT
The Apostle Paul, that former terrorist and persecutor of those who turned from Judaism to follow Christ, had a change of heart. When Christ came to rule his life, he saw things differently. To the believers in Ephesus he said:
...be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT
That nails me. “...just as God...has forgiven you.” I was forgiven while I was still sinning.
God’s Word reminds us to not be just hearers of the word...but doers. This is a time for action. And it is a time for us to earnestly pray that the Lord might lead us to take steps to reconcile with those of another race, color, or ethnic group. To listen to them. To hear their heart and to try to better understand their world. It won’t be easy and it won’t be perfect. It will be a step.
Judy and I, over the past several days, have reached out to some of our black friends. We wanted to let them know we were hurting with them. That we loved them. A step. A small one. I hope it will lead to further dialogue between our friends of other skin color and other backgrounds. Better understanding. And a better sense of how God sees us and how we should see each other.
Now is the time. The time to listen, learn, and love.
I had THAT dream again
If you have worked in media, you have probably had THAT dream. There are variations for other professions, I’m sure. But for my days in radio, THAT dream was pretty much the same. A couple of nights ago I had an updated version of THAT dream, but it was basically a repetition of earlier versions, even though I have not worked in radio for 14 years.
In THAT dream, I was in a radio studio ready to start my on-air shift. But some things were missing. I had a person on the phone to interview but I had no prep sheet telling me who it was and what we were to talk about. I looked around the studio thinking I could play some music while I looked for this info sheet, but there was nothing to play. Suddenly the interviewee was on the air with me. Yikes. Who was he? What are we supposed to be talking about?
Then...I heard some other voice coming over the air. I looked at the control board trying to find out where this other sound was coming from. I quickly realized the production engineers had rewired the board and nothing was in the same place as before. I was totally lost.
Mercifully, my dream ended before things got any worse.
I’m not Joseph, interpreting dreams for bakers or cupbearers...but I think I know what this dream was reminding me.
Be prepared!
I remember a TV interview I did many years ago with a congressman in his office. I was ready to ask my couple of questions when he said, “I suppose you want to talk about my new House Bill number...” such and such! I had no idea what he was talking about. And that became painfully obvious to both of us. I walked away thinking I never wanted to be unprepared for something like that again.
So...being prepared. What does that mean? Here are some thoughts.
Mark Cole is the CEO of the John Maxwell companies. He likens being unprepared to being out of position. Like a basketball or football player, being out of position usually leads to bad things happening. Being out of position in work or ministry means losing at negotiations or missing out on ministry opportunities. Cole says the reason for being unprepared is almost always the same thing. Lack of planning.
“A frustrating thing about preparation is that it usually takes much more time than the actual event you prepare for. And the preparation is far less glamorous than the event. Spectacular achievement comes from unspectacular preparation.”
I love that last line.
Spectacular achievement comes from unspectacular preparation.
Automobile pioneer Henry Ford said, “Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success.”
From a spiritual standpoint, Jesus talked about being prepared when he told the parable of the ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom. Five were prepared with enough oil for their lamps, five were unprepared and were missing when the bridegroom returned (Matthew 25).
How important is it for the Christian to be fully prepared personally, spiritually? Richard Blackaby explains:
“Christians lose many opportunities to experience God’s activity because they have not devoted enough time to their relationship with God. If you have not yet developed the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, why not begin now, so that you will be equipped for whatever life brings?”
Peter urged believers to be prepared to share the hope they have and that the world needs.
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 NLT
And about THAT radio dream of mine? It is one dream I hope never becomes reality!
Check your ego
How’s your ego? One of the most challenging things for a leader is dealing with ego...with pride. If things go well, we have a tendency to pat ourselves on the back for the good planning and the good leadership we give that leads to success. If things go wrong, we can come up with a whole list of reasons why our plan failed. Others didn’t execute our good plan as well as they should have. Situational timing caused the plan to miss the mark. Our ego works to keep us on top and others below us.
Someone has said, “A bad day for your ego is a great day for your soul.” That may be a good starting point for us today. Taming our ego...our pride...is one of the most challenging things, and one of the key areas where Satan does his work. Sadly, most of us don’t realize the amazing potential that awaits us if we can just let go of our pride, control our ego, and embrace God’s plan.
The Lord speaks directly about this issue. James said it well.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10 NLT
When I think about this passage, I like what Ken Blanchard says about EGO. In his book Lead Like Jesus, Blanchard explains our human ego as an anachronym.
EGO = Edging God Out.
That really says it, doesn’t it? When our ego takes over, we claim praise for ourselves that rightly should go to God. We tend to forget that anything we have, think, or do...anything...is a result of God’s grace in our lives. The Lord gives us breath. He brings about circumstances and experiences that help us develop and grow as leaders. And His Spirit provides inspiration to our thoughts. Yet we often simply Edge God Out and let our ego take over. We claim praise that belongs to the Lord and take it as our own. Edging God Out. And that is dangerous.
Through Jeremiah the prophet, the Lord admonishes us.
This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! Jeremiah 9: 23-24 NLT
Ken Blanchard offers another definition for EGO that we would be wise to embrace.
EGO = Exalt God Only.
That means doing what Jeremiah wrote those thousands of years ago...boast only that we know God and understand and acknowledge that He alone is God...and we aren’t!
One of the warning signs that we are Edging God Out, according to Blanchard, is the constant use of the pronoun, “I”. I did this. I deserve that. My plans...my ideas....and on and on. Take inventory of your own language and see how many times you fall into this trap. A phrase like, “If the Lord allows...” should be more than a trite slogan. It should permeate all we do. And we need to quickly and sincerely add at the end of an accomplishment, “Praise God for His great work in my life.”
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gave good advice.
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 NLT
So...what will it be for you and your ego. Will you Edge God Out? Or will you, more and more, day by day, Exalt God Only?
The decision is yours. The glory belongs to God.
On a scale of 1 to 10
You know that dream you had...that vision for your ministry, for yourself as you serve the Lord? Where is it today?
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being still at the starting point and 10 being fully realized...where is that dream?
I’ve had lots of ideas and dreams that never happened. Some remained simply dreams. Others I took down the path, did some preparation and prayer, and never saw the dream come through to fulfillment. I gave up on the dream.
There were some visions that I began to work on until it was obvious it wasn’t going to happen. Then, a few years later, that vision became reality. It was God’s timing that made the difference.
Mark Batterson is well known for some of his great books— The Circle Maker, Draw the Circle, In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day, and others. He is also a lead pastor of a church in Washington, DC. In Draw the Circle he admits,
“None of my dreams have ever happened quickly or easily.” That kind of takes the wind out of my sails. I often want to go right from having the vision to seeing the vision come about. It rarely happens that way.
Batterson asks what would have happened if the Israelites had stopped circling Jericho after six trips around its walls? Or if Naaman had only dipped in the Jordan River six times instead of the seven that Elisha had told him to do? It is clear that God’s miracle blessing would have not happened, and these folks would have been robbed of the blessing the Lord intended for them.
Batterson reminds us that we need to keep faith in the One who is always faithful. God will accomplish His will, but it comes in His timing, not ours.
“Sometimes God will push us to our absolute limits...the limits of our faith, of our patience, of our gifts. That is how God stretches our faith and builds our character.”
Dr. Richard Blackaby talks of a crisis of belief that comes to us at critical times in our lives. You have a vision for ministry. You have a dream for establishing something new or growing your ministry to new heights or in new directions...but you get no support and you feel inadequate to accomplish it on your own. Dr. Blackaby says you must realize that God is God. He can accomplish through you...in His time...what He has put on your heart. Blackaby says don’t lose heart.
“You have joined a long line of people that God has done amazing things through...but you are going to have to believe Him and you are going to have to obey Him.”
Batterson puts it this way, “If you don’t get out of the boat, you’ll never walk on water.” The Israelites would have never left Egypt if they hadn’t stepped into the water of the Red Sea. They would never have seen that first victory at Jericho if they had stopped circling the walls before the seventh time.
So...where is your dream today? On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you see this vision from God? Have you stopped short in the process of obeying God’s vision? Have you given up too soon when the Lord has shown you His plan for your ministry, your life?
It is all about belief in God and obedience to His vision for you, your ministry, and your life. And it is for God’s plan and His glory. It's not about you. Success or failure (by human standards) is not important. Obedience to the Lord is key.
Dr. Henry Blackaby admits that the Lord sometimes asks us to do something beyond our ability to accomplish.
“Will God ever ask you to do something you are not able to do? The answer is yes—all the time! It must be that way, for God's glory and kingdom. If we function according to our ability alone, we get the glory; if we function according to the power of the Spirit within us, God gets the glory. He wants to reveal Himself to a watching world.” -Experiencing God Day by Day
Remember, those who have taken the step of faith are watching to see if you will obediently run the race and follow God’s vision.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith....Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
If you don’t get out of the boat, you’ll never walk on water.
How’s your big toe?
Well, it sure caught my attention. I was reading a devotional by my pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress and I read this thought:
“Nobody stubs his toe standing still.”
Interesting comment. And what is wrapped around that thought is the idea that mistakes will come. Problems will arise. We will sometimes fail. That “stubbed toe” is a sign that you are moving forward, active, trying to get somewhere.
Suppose you are walking through your house to go to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and you hit your toe on a table leg. Ouch. Been there, done that. There might be some hopping around and grabbing of the painful toe. And then you would probably just limp on into the kitchen to get that cup of coffee.
Imagine, though, that you just sat down on the floor and said to yourself, “That’s it. I’m done. I sure won’t try that again. I guess I’ll just give up coffee. In fact, I think I’ll just carefully retreat to my room and never come out.” Crazy. Silly. Yet sometimes we do similar things when we stumble in our work and ministry.
As has been said by others...failure isn’t final. That is such good news. And it isn’t just positive thinking, it’s the truth from the Lord Jesus.
One of the most poignant passages in scripture has to do with failure. Predicted failure. You remember Peter...who often said things without fully thinking them through...saying to Jesus at the last supper, “Lord, you can count on me...even to the point of death.” Jesus responded to him with words that had to upset his disciple.
“Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Luke 22:34 NLT
Here is the passage that touches me from the events that had happened just a few hours after that encounter in the upper room. Peter had made his way to the courtyard of the high priest where Jesus had been taken by the Jewish guards. Three different people had tried to link Peter to Jesus. Each time, Peter quickly denied he even knew Jesus, the third time in rather strong language.
And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. Luke 22:61-63 NLT
Denial. Defeat. Failure. I’m sure when Peter's eyes met the Lord's gaze he immediately thought his life and worth as a disciple of Christ was over. He did far more than just stub his toe. It was a big-time, predicted failure to which he had succumbed.
Yet after Christ’s resurrection Peter found himself on the beach with the Savior, and Jesus made a point of restoring Peter. Three denials? Three times the Lord gave Peter an assignment. Feed my lambs. Take care of my flock. Feed my sheep. Restored. Set back on path to God’s goal.
Failure is NOT final...not in God’s economy. Yes, it may hurt. Yes, there are lessons to be learned. But if our eyes are on the goal...serving Christ at all cost...a little failure should not sideline us for God’s purpose. We see the obstacle. We learn to navigate around it or avoid it. But we move on.
If you have stubbed your toe...get over it. Keep your eye on God’s goal...and keep moving forward. It’s what Jesus wants you to do.
Another pair of glasses
A few years ago I switched from contacts back to wearing glasses. I took my eye doctor’s suggestion to get “progressive” lenses that are blended from near to far vision correction. It was like having three pairs of glasses in one. It took a while to get used to them, but I’m now glad I don’t have to change glasses over and over in order to take in different views.
Leaders need to see things from different viewpoints if they are going to be effective in guiding their organization to achieve its goals. They need a number of different lenses if they are going to see how to clearly lead their ministry, business, or organization. Dr. Richard Blackaby recently wrote on that topic with some great insight on effective leadership. Here are some highlights of the viewpoints that leaders need.
1. 30,000-Foot View
The problem for many of the foot soldiers and lower level managers in an organization is their limited view. They tend to focus exclusively on their department or the specific line items in the budget pertaining to them. They don’t see the big picture....
Leaders must rise above a department, building, or normal routine to see their organization from a higher view. Doing so will help them discern how the various parts are connected. Seeing the big picture helps leaders identify potential dangers and opportunities. Leaders must keep the big picture before them.
2. A Future View
While every job involves adapting to future needs and challenges, some jobs tend to focus on the present.
Warren Bennis once said the difference between managers and leaders is that managers focus on doing things right, while leaders focus on doing the right things.
Leaders who have an eye toward the future know procrastinating could be fatal. Leaders can’t operate based solely on today; they must lead with tomorrow in view.
3. An Organizational View
Leaders are often pressured to act in certain ways.
Obviously, a happy staff may have better morale. But if the company goes broke, the staff morale no longer matters.
Companies have wanted to hold on to their best staff, but they have also had to nurse their shrinking cash reserves. Loyalty to employees is noble, but those employees will face unemployment if the company goes bankrupt. Leaders must have an eye on what’s best for the organization.
4. People View
Organizations do not typically exist merely to provide jobs for employees. Companies are built to make profits for shareholders. Organizations have a mission, and staff are hired to fulfill that mission.
That said, it is impossible to achieve your organization’s purpose if you mistreat people. As a Christian, you are a steward of every life God puts into your care. You are called to love them and treat them in a manner that glorifies God.
Leader’s constantly keep their eye on what’s important, and that usually means people.
5. God’s View
The final viewpoint leaders must nurture is heaven’s view. Does their organization’s conduct glorify God?
... wise leaders understand that they need God’s blessing on their endeavors, so it is crucial that they remain alert to what God is doing in their organization.
...if you ask the wrong question, you’ll get the wrong answer. Rather than asking, “What are you doing?” began asking, “What have you seen God doing from your vantage point in this organization?” That question leads to an entirely different discussion!
If questions are asked about them and their work, they would concentrate on themselves. If God-oriented questions are asked, the staff will focus on Him.
Dr. Blackaby wraps up his thoughts on leadership vision with these comments:
“Leaders must put on at least five different pairs of glasses to see their organization in full. If your organization has been struggling or plateaued or underperforming, perhaps you need to look at it from another angle.” If the Lord has you in a leadership role, He will guide you as you are attentive to His voice in your heart. Leadership is not easy. That’s probably why God told Joshua over and over again,
...be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Lead on!
What’s that in your hand?
There is a credit card company that uses famous actors to extol the wonderful virtues of using their card. Their now-famous line at the end of the commercials is, “What’s in your wallet?” In other words, with their credit card in your wallet, you have great spending power and all your cares are over...until the bill comes in the mail!
In a higher (and holier way) God says to us...”What’s in your hand?”
If we are learning anything in these days of stay-at-home edicts and pandemic crisis, it is that we can do without a lot of things we thought we needed. We often approach the ministry and task to which the Lord has called us by saying, “If only I had this tool,” or “If I had that set of people on my team,” thinking this is what is needed to do what God has enlisted us to do.
Reading through the Bible, an annual practice of mine for over 10 years, has recently taken me back through Exodus. We find the amazing story of Moses, who was in great favor with the Egyptian royalty, then out of favor and somewhat exiled to the back side of the wilderness tending flocks. Until God spoke to him.
You remember the encounter? The bush in the wilderness was burning...but it wasn’t burning up. Just burning. Moses said to himself, “I have got to see this amazing sight.” Of course, when he arrived, he found himself on holy ground with the great God of the universe speaking directly to him. Moses was shocked and overwhelmed at the assignment God has for him. Who wouldn’t be? But that feeling led Moses to express himself to God in a way that angered the Lord. Moses wondered out loud...
“Who am I?”
A number of years ago I was on the verge of being named to a key position. It was a position of honor...but it was overwhelming to me. So much so that I called my spiritual mentor Dr. Henry Blackaby and explained my situation. And I quoted Moses at that point. “Who am I.” I should have remembered what happened when Moses said that. Dr. Blackaby did remember...and he gently said to me, “Ron, you shouldn’t be saying, ‘Who am I?’ You should be saying, ‘Who is God?’” And he was absolutely right.
As I recently reread that encounter between God and Moses, I was struck by a phrase that the Lord uttered to Moses as he was trying to explain his mission and how it would be accomplished.
“What is that in your hand?” Exodus 4:2 NLT
Moses was trying to figure out how it was all going to work. God wanted Moses to simply commit and obey. What Moses had in his hand was what he had been using for those 40 years to herd sheep and goats. A shepherd’s staff. A rod. A big stick. But God had a formula for success that went way beyond Moses understanding. Here it is.
God + You + Your Obedience = Success
The Lord then began to show Moses how it was going to work. If Moses would be obedient, be willing to use what was already in his hand, and follow God’s direction, Moses would be successful in rescuing the children of Israel from the oppression of people of Egypt. Miraculous things would happen.
Today, we have a world living under sin’s oppression. What will it take for us to successfully show them there is freedom in Christ?
What is in your hand?
What has the Lord already provided for you in the way of skills, opportunities, wisdom, and passion? Will you be obedient to the Lord as He speaks to your heart? Instead of saying “Who am I?” or “How can I do this great task?” you should simply say, “Yes, Lord. Use me and what I have in my hand to impact lives with your Truth.”
What’s in your hand?
Fear of the unknown...
When history looks back on the year 2020, one word may emerge above all others. No, not pandemic or Covid-19. I believe the word will be “unprecedented.” In so many ways, our world has never walked this rough road before. Yes, we have had other pandemics and disasters. But nothing compares to the global reach of the coronavirus impact on health, lifestyles, the economy, and our own personal mindset.
Things we thought we couldn’t live without become much less important in light of today’s crisis. Things we never thought were critical...like masks and hand sanitizer...rocket to the top of our lists. And we even begin to do the irrational...like buy and hoard rolls of toilet paper, as if it had some mystical power to ward off the virus.
Jobs are lost. Lives are put in jeopardy. Heroes in the health and emergency services step up and work tirelessly. And “stars” are made out of the ones who give daily reports and updates on the status of the virus, its impact, deaths, and other pertinent information.
Unprecedented. And unsettling.
How do you lead others when fear of the unknown abounds? My longtime friend Robert McFarland speaks to leaders of ministries and businesses through his Transformational Impact organization. Robert’s years with National Religious Broadcasters and several fundraising and leadership organizations have given him great insight in the area of organizational leadership.
He recently wrote of helping your team combat the fear of the unknown like we are experiencing today. Many are wondering about their own personal safety and that of their family. They are questioning in their mind if they will have a job next week or next month. Lots of questions, few solid answers. Robert McFarland says as a leader,
“Even if you don’t have all the answers right now...you can provide some stability for your team and help them combat fear in this crisis.”
Some take-aways from Robert’s recent blog:
Be the shepherd.
Your leadership is needed now more than ever. With all the uncertainty and fear swirling around them, your team is looking for comfort in the storm. They need you to be the shepherd for the team.
People can be a lot like sheep, especially when they are afraid. They are looking for reassurance. Your people may make decisions that are not normal because fear is taking its toll in their lives. Be patient; be understanding. You don’t have to lower your standards, but you do need to make allowances for people to process the change in their lives.
Communicate fully.
It’s important to communicate fully what you know with your team. Don’t keep them guessing.... The absence of clear information will create rumor mills. Don’t allow rumor mills to take over in your team or your organization. As you communicate with your team, remember why you communicate in the first place: the purpose of communication is not just to transmit information, it is to develop relationships
Keep your focus.
Be real with your team. Explain to your team that you are focused on shepherding them, but that you are also focused on shepherding the organization. Your team needs to be reminded that your first loyalty is to the organization and all its stakeholders.... Remind your team that you are leading the organization now in such a way as to secure the future of your organization. By focusing on the needs of all your stakeholders, you will be more prepared to shepherd your organization through the crisis.
You can access the full blog and other information from Robert McFarland by clicking HERE.
I like Robert’s final thoughts for leaders in these unprecedented days:
"As you provide stability for your organization, be aware that fear will take its toll not only on your team, but it can take its toll on you, too. You have to combat the fear in your own life before you can help your team combat their fear. But remember that courage is merely acting in spite of fear. So be courageous as you provide stability in this crisis, so that your team will have the courage to move forward, too."
Your work, your ministry, and your team are needed now more now than ever before. And the opportunity for presenting the Gospel with today’s powerful media platforms is also unprecedented. Yet the need is as old as time. Jesus saw the need and expressed it this way:
....I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
John 4:35 NLT
Let’s lead our teams into the fields and be part of God’s harvest team. Not with fear...but with deep faith.
Not the smartest person in the room?
I’ve got some good news! For those of us who often feel we aren’t the smartest person in the room, we can still be a person of real and lasting influence. Whether it is our kids, our staff, or our circle of friends we want to influence, most of us would like to be able to have a positive effect on these people and influence them for God and for good.
Dr. Richard Blackaby recently wrote on being a person of influence, sharing some important points and some examples from the life of his father and my spiritual mentor, Dr. Henry Blackaby. “My father, Henry, was a shy, introverted Canadian. But God used him to exert enormous influence on others.”
Richard points out that we are inundated with those who want to influence us on a daily basis.
“Political candidates constantly vie for people’s attention. Social media has provided a forum in which anyone can pontificate about their views, regardless of how misguided they might be. People clamor for attention and, at times, go to great lengths to obtain it. People often make outrageous or eye-catching statements on social media for no other apparent reason than to capture people’s attention for a few brief moments.”
People often sought out the godly wisdom Dr. Henry Blackaby shared, and with that wisdom came great influence. I was one among many who asked for guidance from this man who, though shy and certainly with his flaws, spoke wisdom into the hearts of kings, presidents, and top CEOs. A man of influence.
What does it take to have such impact? Richard Blackaby lists these items as key for a person desiring to have godly influence.
• Have something of value to say. - Modern society mistakenly assumes all opinions are equally valuable. This presumption is patently ridiculous.... How do you become someone who has something to say? Study. Think. Prepare. Too many people want the prestige of influence without paying the price to earn it.
• Refrain from speaking when you have nothing of value to contribute. - The author of Proverbs sagely declares, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” (Prov. 17:28 NKJV). It is humbling to acknowledge that we may never appear more profound than when we say nothing.
• Always tell the truth, regardless of how unpopular. - Sadly, in today’s politically correct climate, people frequently say things that are patently untrue but politically correct. In corporate America, people are tempted to say what management wants to hear rather than what they need to hear. If you always tell the truth, you may not always be popular, but your opinions will carry weight.
• Be discerning. - Influential people have an uncanny sense of timing. Jesus warned His followers to beware of casting pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6). There is no point in sharing precious truth with someone who will only despise it. Better to wait until the time is ripe and the audience is open.
• Be Spirit-led. - The apostle Paul exhorted, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit...” (Ephesians 5:16-18 NKJV).
Richard Blackaby concludes his thoughts on being a person of influence with these words.
“In the confusing, divisive time in which we live, we need God to grant us the maximum influence possible, not for our sake but for the benefit of the people around us who need to hear God’s wisdom.”
Do you want to make an eternal difference in the lives of those around you? God’s wisdom outlasts and outperforms anything man may have to offer from a human perspective. Share His wisdom and you will find that your life has a greater influence than you thought ever possible.
A routine? What for?
We are all learning through these days of pandemic crisis. We may be learning how challenging it is to be with our family 24/7...even with all the love we have for them. Hopefully, we are learning the importance of a routine. If you are like me, the first few days of this stay-at-home edict I found myself wandering from task to task...or sometimes just sitting or reading for recreation and escape. Sometimes I watched old baseball games since there were no teams playing...no group sporting events of any kind.
One of the things I’m learning is the importance of a routine. Judy and I still get up early and do our separate Bible studies. Then at breakfast, usually at 7:00am, we read a devotional from a spiritual leader we admire. And often we listen to a favorite gospel song or hymn on YouTube. That’s been our routine for years, and we continue to stay on track with it. Routine is good, especially when we could rationalize that we don’t need a routine. Not going anywhere. Not seeing anyone. No appointments on my calendar. No meetings...apart from an occasional Zoom meeting.
Along those lines, I was looking in my closet this morning and saw some shirts Judy had ironed for me a few days ago. (I know...I’m blessed!) I haven’t worn those shirts yet. They are the shirts I would wear for Sunday church or for teaching a class or for meeting with someone for lunch to talk about our ministry. They are not the shirts I would wear around the house. Those shirts were for “good” events...not just hanging around the old homestead.
Looking at them this morning, I have changed my mind. I’m going to dress a little better these days. At least during “working hours.” I’m going to put on something besides tennis shoes or deck shoes. I may even put on khakis instead of jeans. (I know...radical.) The point is, I need to reinforce my routine during these days with how I dress. While it probably won’t be coat and tie, it will also not be jeans and a t-shirt all day.
I remember a hymn we use to sing. It may be instructive for you as you lead others...even when distanced from them. One of the verses says:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.
A worship pastor, Howard B. Grose, wrote those words in the 1800’s after an incident in his church’s choir practice. Grose’s son gave the account.
"My father was the organist and choir director of our church. One evening at choir practice a young man wandered in late, interrupting what was going on as he slid past other singers into his place. When my father asked why he was late, he simply shrugged and had no answer. At which my father stung him...and set the bar for all of us...by saying to the latecomer, "The Lord doesn't want your spare time."
I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Colossian believers.
Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people.... Colossians 3:23 NET
These are challenging days. Sometimes we just want to get through them. It may be that God wants to teach us in these days. Teach us to value the things He has given us...family, possessions, home, friends...in a far deeper way. He may be reminding us that everything we do is a reflection of our love for Him. And the Lord may want us to shed those things in our lives that are not so important and lean on those things that have eternal value.
Give of your best to the Master....as to the Lord and not just for others.
Excuse me... I need to go pick out tomorrow’s wardrobe.
