Big Voice

I've always had a big voice. In fact, my voice changed early in life which took some of my teachers by surprise. To be honest, it took me a while to figure out how to use my voice properly. I knew that I had some power, but it took an 8th grade English teacher to help me develop it. She taught me how to use modulation and inflection to make a difference at the right time. I've had to work since then to learn the best method and time to use it.

Not everyone has a loud, deep voice, but all of our voices are important as long as we discover the right time and situation to raise it. If you are always speaking loudly, people will eventually tune you out. If you never speak up, you will miss an opportunity for influence and a chance to be a catalyst for change. 

Can we figure out the best method, time, and place to use our voice? I think it's absolutely essential if we want to have an impact that lasts.      

Creating a Spark

It's a good idea to ask yourself if the things you are doing make a difference. I regularly check my actions to see if what I spend my time on is catalytic in nature. In other words, is it creating momentum in a positive direction or just checking off a task list? While that sounds like a lofty goal, I think it can be expressed much more simply than that by asking if what I did that day/week made a difference. 

I think we make a difference in more ways than we are aware. It can be deliberate acts of kindness like paying for a stranger's coffee, baking cinnamon rolls to appreciate teachers, or letting someone in front of you in the checkout line. It can be through our deliberate, faithful prayers for other people's relationships and for physical healing. Differences are made with the intentional time we set aside to spend with our families-from a family dinner to coffee dates and random conversations. Our impact is felt when we volunteer at church and in the community. Speaking words of encouragement simply for lifting other people up will make a bigger difference than we realize.

Determining what we do that has a catalytic effect may not sound simple, but hopefully we can see the things we do that are making a difference each day. It's the day-to-day little things that build our character and help bring positive change.

The Moment of Action

"Sure the fight was fixed. I fixed it with a right hand." 

George Foreman

There comes a times when people of vision have to take action. This doesn't negate the need for prayer and careful consideration of our options, but instead calls us to do something when the time is right. We can't sit on the sidelines and hope that things will get better. If we want to see situations improved we have to be willing to be actively engaged and do what we can.

Will you commit yourself to doing what is necessary and within your power to win? That deliberate confidence is often the difference maker between success and failure.

Catalytic

Have we become so consumed with the principle of not offending anyone that we forget that bold faith will be offensive? If we are going to take a stand for Christ it will inspire some to follow, but will also cause enemies to rise up against us. Just as there is no middle ground in being a follower of Christ (you either are or you aren't) there is no middle ground in the response we receive to the life we lead. Many fellow Christians know this truth as they live in persecuting countries and yet still maintain their passion for Christ. Ironically, the same enthusiasm that their tormentors live by is mirrored in the commitment of new Christians in proclaiming their faith in spite of the circumstances.

I believe in the mission of the church to reach those who haven't chosen to follow Christ. This must be done in love and by fully extending grace, but the reality is that God's truth will not always be well received. Scripture even tells us that God's wisdom will appear as foolishness to some and can cause disruption in families and between friends. This isn't the relationship I want to develop with others, but I have to put my faith in God's principles and remain there regardless of the response I might receive. 

Our commitment level combined with God's power will bring about positive & negative reactions. Passionately authentic faith is a catalyst for revival and persecution. 

Catalyst Thoughts

I was in Atlanta at NorthPoint Community Church on Monday for an event called Catalyst One Day. It was led by Andy Stanley & Craig Groeschel (two godly pastors and leaders) and was a stimulating day of teaching on developing the culture of a church. It's going to take a while to process everything I heard and determine exactly what to do with it, but here are a few thoughts:

• To create a healthy, dynamic culture you need healthy, dynamic people.
• You have to manufacture ways of assessing culture to keep it new.
• If we care about our mission, we have to focus on productivity-this means we have to look at our culture.
• Healthy cultures never happen by accident. They are created.
• The number one force that shapes your culture is your values.
• If things aren't as they should be change them.
• Vision leaks & culture drifts. That's why constant attention to both is vital.
• You can have high control & low growth or low control & high growth.
• Leverage your authority for the good of other people.
• The local church should be the best place to work. 
• Your personal glory is too small a thing to live for. Attach your glory to the church.
• Are there things you are believing about yourself that weren't spoken to you by God?
• We can't overcome the problems we can't identify.
• Our church needs our leadership more than our "preacher-ship."