i_yudai

 

“If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one yar ago today.” E. Joseph Cossman

“Do not worry about your life…” Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 6.25

Life is dumping a lot to worry about these days. Wisconsin debates over union collective bargaining. Revolts in Egypt and now Tripoli. Massive layoffs. Housing values that have burst. Earthquakes. Floods. Sickness. Tsunami. Gasoline prices. Low giving by church members. A diagnosis. Cost of milk and eggs and meat. Healthcare uncertainty, tax law changes, interpersonal conflict…

Worry Sucks - Worship Sustains

Look at the laundry list of concerns above. Every one of them (every.one) represents a proposition; a fork in the road. One path leads to despair. The other leads to hope. The path to despair begins with worry. The path to hope begins with worship. At the fork in the road, what path do you normally choose? It’s an either/or proposition. You cannot take both paths and win.

You Lead Where You’ve Been

In your ministry leadership, you influence. Setting an example is part of the leadership mix. So I want to ask you, what path are YOU choosing at the point of the proposition? Are you worrying about your finances? The church’s growth?… Or are you choosing to worship God for who He is – plain and simple? Your followers are watching, make no mistake. Think of it this way: Every proposition for worry is an opportunity to show hope. When you show hope, you serve strong.

What is feeding your hope today?

I just finished reading a blog post by my new friend, Bill Grandi (aka the CycleGuy). His post title is “Not Just A Number.” You can check out Bill’s entire blog here.

This post got me thinking as I anticipate, what we in America call, Thanksgiving. This time of year I reflect on things for which I am grateful. As my children are now coming home from college, the things that I am grateful for today are much different than when they were toddlers. Being 45, I am thinking more about significance and less about success. I think about simple things like putting up the Christmas tree with my grown children and beautiful wife.

What does CycleGuy’s post and Thanksgiving have in common? Well, Bill highlights the omniscience of God – how God knows all things and how no one falls through the cracks. It reminds me of the scripture:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows.  Matthew 10.29-31

“…even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Wow! That’s amazing. Have you ever attempted to count how many hairs you have? I know it seems strange for a bald guy to write a post like this, but don’t you get the picture? You matter to God. Let me say it again…

You matter to God

So, the next time you are tempted to think thoughts of despair or defeat or self-pity, remember: God sees you as worthy. Don’t let the enemy make you think any different. Serving strong means serving with confidence that God knows and loves you.

For THAT…. I am most grateful.

What are you grateful for these days?

Pause: If the Serving Strong blog is helpful, feel free to subscribe to the RSS feed

I am an expert. I know that comes as no surprise to you (*smile*). But before you fall down and worship at my feet, let me go into a bit of detail…

What is Hurry?

Hurry is when we feel the pressure to go in 15 separate, but equally, important directions at the same time (at least we think they're important but don't know why). It's a feeling of uneasiness and angst. Perhaps you've felt it yourself. There is little peace. The further you go the more behind you get. You are stretched in an unhealthy way. Hurry is not of God. Hurry is of the Enemy. It is not healthy. It's no way to live.

I am an expert at Hurry. It's my default. It's my specialty. With God's help I am getting worse at it and better at…

What is Intention?

Intention is when we feel the passion to go in a direction that is in alignment with God's plan. It's a feeling of flow and rhythm. Perhaps you've felt it yourself. There is a deep, settled peace. The further you go the more you get accomplished. You are stretched in a healthy way. Intention is of God. Intention is not of the Enemy. It is healthy. It's the only way to live.

I am not an expert at Intention. It's my hobby. It's my ambition. With God's help I am getting better at it.

What about you? Do you hurry, feeling like there's this faceless force out there somewhere judging you if you don't please everyone as quickly as possible? Or are you intentional, doing what must get done, knowing it's the right thing to do?

The path from Hurry to Intention requires a dynamic, intimate walk with Jesus Christ. After all, how else will you know what to be intentional about in the first place? If you haven't cultivated this key relationship, perhaps that's the first step…

photo credit photo credit

Related Posts:

Overwhelmed Today?

Hurry Up And Wait

Reflections On Worry

 

Pause: If the Serving Strong blog is helpful, feel free to subscribe to the RSS feed

I am an expert. I know that comes as no surprise to you (*smile*). But before you fall down and worship at my feet, let me go into a bit of detail…

What is Hurry?

Hurry is when we feel the pressure to go in 15 separate, but equally, important directions at the same time (at least we think they're important but don't know why). It's a feeling of uneasiness and angst. Perhaps you've felt it yourself. There is little peace. The further you go the more behind you get. You are stretched in an unhealthy way. Hurry is not of God. Hurry is of the Enemy. It is not healthy. It's no way to live.

I am an expert at Hurry. It's my default. It's my specialty. With God's help I am getting worse at it and better at…

What is Intention?

Intention is when we feel the passion to go in a direction that is in alignment with God's plan. It's a feeling of flow and rhythm. Perhaps you've felt it yourself. There is a deep, settled peace. The further you go the more you get accomplished. You are stretched in a healthy way. Intention is of God. Intention is not of the Enemy. It is healthy. It's the only way to live.

I am not an expert at Intention. It's my hobby. It's my ambition. With God's help I am getting better at it.

What about you? Do you hurry, feeling like there's this faceless force out there somewhere judging you if you don't please everyone as quickly as possible? Or are you intentional, doing what must get done, knowing it's the right thing to do?

The path from Hurry to Intention requires a dynamic, intimate walk with Jesus Christ. After all, how else will you know what to be intentional about in the first place? If you haven't cultivated this key relationship, perhaps that's the first step…

photo credit photo credit

Related Posts:

Overwhelmed Today?

Hurry Up And Wait

Reflections On Worry