New Arrangements

There are only 3 colors, 10 digits, and 7 notes; 
it's what we do with them that's important. 
Jim Rohn

Where are you using your creativity? It's not as if you have to create every element of innovation from scratch. The basics are already there. Now it's a matter of rearranging them in unique patterns that reflect each of our talents. Stretching the boundaries of what is new can be done using the same tools everyone else has used, but doing it in new, thoughtful patterns.

Drowning

We hosted a community camp in partnership with another local church a couple of years ago. One of the biggest areas of excitement for our campers was the large swimming pool. They were all talking excitedly about it as we pulled up and they obviously couldn't wait to hit the water (in fact, we scheduled 6 different swim times over 3 1/2 days for them.)

After the obligatory safety speech and brief swim test our campers were released to go full speed. What we witnessed next was an interesting phenomenon. In the course of seven minutes the lifeguard pulled three different swimmers out of the deep end of the pool. Each camper had passed their swim test, jumped off the diving board into the deep end of the pool, and subsequently swam like a rock. It didn't take long for us to narrow the list of "deep end" swimmers to very few.

While each of our campers was fine (thanks to the quick reaction of lifeguard & staff) I was left wondering how this could have happened so quickly. My only thought was that they had severely overestimated their ability to swim and ended up needing rescue once they were in over their heads.

I suppose that's not vastly different than moments in my own life when I have overestimated my own abilities (and I would wager that I'm not alone in this either.) How do we end up here? Sometimes it's a matter of personal pride that clouds our perspective. On other occasions perhaps it's a reflection of our undeveloped natural gifting-an ability to do something without refining the skills necessary to succeed. Much like swimming, I then find that I am in over my head and unable to catch my breath. Thank goodness I have had solid mentors and caring people who have rescued me and taught me how to survive.

Sent With Power

The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you? Judges 6:14

I've known too many people who are clearly jealous of other leaders. They spend most of their time talking about the abilities that they wish they had, the experience that they are lacking, and the impossibility of the challenges in front of them. They become paralyzed by their perception of what they don't have instead of seeking success with what they possess. 

God makes the formula fairly clear for godly leaders to be successful. We are called to use the talents that we are blessed with and move forward to achieve this vision even if it seems overwhelming. Our confidence is in our submission to God's power to fulfill the mission. No matter how daunting the challenge in front of us might seem, He is asking us to take the abilities that we possess and be obedient to His direction. God is the one that will make up the difference between our current competencies and what is necessary to see the task completed. We just need to trust Him to cover that gap and bring all of what we have. God's strength and power combined with our complete submission will deliver almost unbelievable results.