My One Word

Our lead pastor shared a book with the staff at Christmas this year which expounded the principle of selecting one word to focus on for the next year. Deciding on the word is a matter of prayer, meditation, and even a little inspiration. It becomes the main focus for your goals, fuels your actions, and keeps you centered on mission.

My “one word” for this year is calling. It’s a term used in many different ways, but often refers to the purpose you feel God has given to you and in many aspects, specifically for ministry. While I believe in the power of that particular principle I also believe we have a calling for each of the roles we should fill in our life.

Recognizing I have a calling as a husband and father shapes many of the decisions I make. I realize the power of the relationship I share with my wife and children and my need to choose to live that out with the best impact and integrity I can. I believe I have a calling as a friend and will choose to be present in times of need and be ready to sacrifice to help when necessary. I am called as an influencer in my community and should realize the potential of my impact and choose my words, actions, and generosity very carefully. I am also called at this stage in my life to be a pastor and must always keep that in the forefront of my thoughts as it shapes so much of what I do and say.

I don’t have all of the parts of this “one word” figured out, but I realize the power of staying focused on discovering the depth of it this year. I want to live fully in my calling—not just now, but also for what the future holds.

What Are You Doing?

Do you know what you're doing? I can rattle off a quick list of the things that I am doing without a ton of introspective thought. I know the things I need to do each day and what projects I'm working on. I know where I am investing my mental capital and where I am shifting my energies (at least attempting to). I think often about my roles as Christ follower, husband, father, and pastor and how to be better at them. 

These are all important things, but I still wonder if I really know what I'm doing. In all of those important things do I see God's specific purpose for me? If I can begin to glimpse His sovereign plan for my individual life, then everything I do makes sense in the perspective of a much bigger purpose. I am no longer consumed only with personal productivity or a happy, healthy family. Instead I am able to pursue all of these potentially positive things through the lens of fulfilling God's exact mission for me. Some may not be able to see the difference, but it completely changes my motivation for fulfillment. 

This Time

Who knows exactly why we are here right now? It's obviously ordained as God's will (whether we recognize God's deft orchestrations or not doesn't negate His plan) but there are also valid reasons why we are in this moment. I firmly believe that if we are willing to ask God (and quietly wait for His response) that He will give us an answer. A dilemma exists when we drift through our existence without paying attention to the grander purpose we've been created for.

Far too many people choose to be oblivious to the way our lives rub against each other creating friction that alters our shape and ultimately our identity. Ask God to open your eyes to see who He has placed around you to influence and be influenced by. Willingly seek opportunities to make an impact in your community as you live boldly. Step up to lead and be part of the active movement of God's church in this moment and location. Open your ears to hear & answer the relentless call of a King that longs to involve His people in a revolution to redeem a lost and broken world.

Not Yet

I seem to have fallen off of the blogging wagon these last few days of 2011. I have had many thoughts of blogs to write, but have lacked the time and zeal to sit and write them out. In fact, I would even argue that I have fallen victim to dwelling in these thoughts a little too much in the busyness of the Christmas schedule.

The thought that I have been mulling over more than any other is a question that I read in a leadership blog last week: Will you be where you want to be in five years by doing what you are doing today? That requires forethought and an understanding of the choices that you make today building towards a future. It means having a vision of where you want to be and what kind of person you want to develop into. Achieving that vision requires discipline to stay committed to the plan that God has revealed to you even when the journey seems difficult.

My immediate answer when I first read that question was a resounding "No." But while I am not entirely satisfied with my progress in this journey, the meditation on the future has caused me to carefully examine all facets of my current life & what I believe to be God's vision for the future.

I posit that there is a greater follower of Christ, husband, father, and pastor in my future. The faithful and obedient work that lies in front of me can be daunting, but I have full confidence in God's refining process. I pray for the focused discipline to continually work towards that future and eagerly look forward to the progress along the journey.