Keeping Pace

How do you know if you are making progress in your life’s pursuits or falling behind? Have you ever felt frustrated at not really knowing if have recently taken two steps forward or three steps back in accomplishing your goals? Do you ever get the urge to double your efforts to make the world a better place only to feel pangs of guilt that you should already be where you’re trying to get? Does your life consist of a lot of starts and stops? Do you wonder whether or not you have what it takes to follow through and finish what you say you want to do?

It’s important to think of your life in terms of a long-term process. You are where you are but not where you will be at future points in time. Running has taught me a lot of practical lessons about making overall progress in a plan. I am still a relative novice at the sport but I enjoy doing it and have every intention of getting better at it over time. I remember when I started a few years ago that my goal was to be able to run five kilometers a few times a week and improve my time gradually. You may not think that’s a big deal but it was for a guy who up to that point couldn’t run to the street corner and back without being totally spent. As I stuck with the program I noticed that there was an important element to my training that helped me to make steady gains as time went on. The key was to keep a constant pace that built up my endurance enabling me to finish strong.

I began running regularly with Arlene, my wife, who got me started in the sport. She set the pace for our runs and if I kept in step with her I knew that I would complete the course because she always did. She looked effortless in her stride to me although she tells me that looks can be deceiving as she exerts a lot of energy to stay with it. Most of the time I ran along beside her or just behind her because she set a comfortable pace for me to follow. And just like her, I usually had a little extra to give heading for the finish line which gave me a sense of accomplishment.

Now the problem came when I ended up at times running on my own. I learned that I have the tendency to get ahead of myself early on and wind up running out of fuel for the final stretch. Sure, it seemed like I was going to really improve on my time at the start because I was going faster but in the end I often finished slower because I was out of breath and in discomfort. So what did I do? I got back to having someone set the pace for me and kept it simple. The result was that after a while, I developed the ability to pace myself and eventually became a pace-setter for others. And now, regardless of my level of ability, I look for others to set the pace that I want to develop and at the same time let myself set the pace for others who want to follow me.

In your life’s pursuits, don’t go it alone. Someone has made himself available for you to follow, one who is setting the pace for you that will enable you to finish what you start and finish strong. Who is that pace-setter? It’s Jesus. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith....so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2,3) Stay focused on Jesus who never goes too quickly or too slowly. He will teach you how to run your race of life well and finish strong. And as you do that, you will discover that others are watching and following you and learning how to develop a good and healthy pace.

DW

Landmark: Reaching Across the World

Late in the spring, our youth group (Landmark) took on the challenge to bring in just a few dollars each so that they could sponsor a child through Child Care Plus. Not only did they do it, they did it twice over and are now the proud sponsors of of Samuel Sisay and Bethlehem Israel in Adama, Ethiopia.

I found this YouTube video that reminded me of the "everyday philanthropy" that our youth are involved in. Take a look, Landmark, and thanks for what you're doing!



TD

Cliff-Jumping

Perhaps you know people who are into extreme sports. They look for ways to get their adrenalin pumping by attempting physical feats that average people consider dangerous and risky. One such activity is strapping on parachutes and jumping off of very high cliffs to fall freely for as long as they dare before pulling the ripcords and landing safely on the ground below. Often the jumpers can’t see the bottom as they approach the edge of the escarpment, but they throw themselves into flight anyway because they are confident of success. They know that to experience the thrill of jumping off a cliff and being able to tell about it after, they actually have to take the plunge.

Life can sometimes challenge us to consider taking extreme measures in order to fix a problem. In his book Inside Out, Dr. Larry Crabb tells the true story of a woman who confronted the pain and dysfunction she experienced from being sexually and emotionally abused earlier in her life. Through godly counsel, Dr. Crabb helped her to take responsibility not for her abuser’s sins, but for her own need to move towards freedom and wholeness. This required her to confront the unforgiving attitudes in her own heart and trust God for the grace and strength she would need to learn to live in freedom with confidence and hope. Faced with the opportunity to break out of the darkness of her damaged life and step into the light of healing and renewal, she compared the steps that she needed to take to forgive and release the offenses against her to jumping over a cliff unable to see the bottom, hoping that God would be there to catch her. She chose to take the plunge and found that the parachute of God’s grace and strength provided to her was more than enough to land her firmly and safely in His freedom from fear and hopelessness.

Now that’s extreme! Experiencing God’s abundant provision like that is never possible by merely thinking about it. You have to trust that the Lord is going to be true to His word and take the plunge into what you believe God is asking you to do. It’s then that you get to tell about what He has done on your behalf. It has been that way in my life many times. I have had faith activated in me when I made a decision to trust God in an unusual way. Things would begin to fall into place and confirmations would unfold that never would have if I had not taken the initial step of faith.

You can be faced with opportunities to succeed in God’s best that look more like challenges without answers. Moving forward by faith will require a new way of thinking, based on putting your trust in God. At those strategic times it can feel a lot like you are standing on the edge of a cliff wondering if you will land safely below when you jump. However, it’s when you take the plunge that you experience God’s covering and provision in a deeper dimension than if you hadn’t. And then you get to tell others about how God really does deliver on his promises.

I want to leave a scripture with you that you can hold onto as your parachute when you are confronting a challenge that requires throwing yourself into territory that’s intimidating and new to you. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Aren’t you glad that God knows what He’s doing with you? Are you encouraged by the fact that he has everything you need ready to give you right when you need it? So don’t be timid or afraid to move ahead in God’s next step for your life as he directs you. He’s got some amazing things for you to yet experience as you put your trust in him. Cliff-jumping anyone?

DW

Building for Eternity

“But each one should be careful how he builds.” (1 Corinthians 3:10b)

Have you thought of yourself as a builder? By that I am not referring to a contractor who constructs houses or assembles machines but someone who builds the kingdom of God. Does your life mission look beyond your ongoing activities and plans to consider their potential impact for eternity? They can, as amazing as that sounds, but only if you build upon the right foundation.

My wife, Arlene, and I enjoyed a day cruise to the Bahamas one winter during a vacation in Florida. It turned out to be an ideal day to travel on the ocean in the sunshine and relatively calm waters. On my way I pictured an island full of busy resorts, packed beaches and overcrowded markets. What we saw instead when we arrived caught me off guard. The entire island had been devastated by one of the major hurricanes that hit the entire region just months earlier. As we drove to the business area with other passengers from the ship we saw building after building boarded up because of the storm damage to them. As a result, tourists were staying away from the island and the economy was in a major downturn. At the same time however, it was interesting to note that the large resorts were operating normally appearing to be untouched by the natural disaster. Business was booming. What was the difference? I believe that the way the different buildings had been constructed determined which ones stood secure during the storm. The solid foundation of the structure was the key to its stability and ability to endure.

That’s a good metaphor for building your life. What are you basing your dreams and plans on? Do you have the eternal goal in sight? For if you are not careful how you build you could wind up losing everything you’ve worked for when it is eventually evaluated by God on judgment day. You could wind up with nothing to show for your efforts if you do what you do for the wrong reasons which in essence, is building on a faulty foundation.

How can you keep your priorities straight? What will assure you that your foundation is the one that is eternally secure? The answer is found in a person. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) It is clear that everything you do must centre on Christ who is your solid foundation.

There are other foundations that you may be tempted to build on instead of Christ:

1. The foundation of the material - what you give for Christ

2. The foundation of the ministry – what you do for Christ

3. The foundation of the method – how you work for Christ

4. The foundation of the message – what you say for Christ

5. The foundation of the man – who you follow for Christ

It is obvious that these can be good things, but none of them are to be the thing that you build your life upon. If you do, you risk losing everything you thought would last. Jesus is the only foundation that is eternal and fully trustworthy. Whatever you do for his kingdom purposes will stand the test of time no matter what may happen to you. Always be sure that the mission of your life is about him and you will be going in the right direction.

I encourage you to check your foundation today. What are you building on? Is Jesus the focus and motivation for everything you do? Are there things that you have come to rely on more than Christ for your eternal security? If so, it’s time to replace them with trusting Jesus as your solid rock and firm foundation in all things. Be sure that Christ is the centre of every thought and decision. When you do, you can have confidence that what you do build with your life will last far beyond your days on earth.

Pray this with me to further clarify your life mission:

“Lord, it is tempting to build my life and ministry on things that are temporal. Help me to focus on those things that are eternal. My desire is to trust you with all that I am becoming and will be. I want to hear the words “Well done” from you on that final accounting day because I have built with eternity in mind and Christ at the centre. I acknowledge that this is only possible by your daily grace for which I thank you. Amen.”

DW

Seeing the big picture.

Recently I received advertising from the Daytimers company that showed an inscription on one of their products that said, "It's all about you, Del Wells!" It’s all about me? Is it really? What’s the implied message? It’s that I am so important that I have this company’s undivided attention and they will take great care of me. Yes, I do know that this marketing tool is very common in our consumer-first society, trying to make me respond positively to their sales pitch. But does this statement have any truth to it as it relates to the way I see the world around me? And if it does, is there anything wrong with thinking about myself first as I make my plans? What is the grid that I use to help me make choices? Do I have an overall goal for my life and who does it benefit? These are great questions.

My last LT insight encouraged you to create a personal mission statement to guide your life decisions with the overall goal of finishing strong at the end of your days. Let's look now at some of the benefits of having an overall purpose for your life and how to develop one.

A few years ago my wife Arlene and I went into a Sears store close to where we lived and she asked me if I had read the store's mission statement. Displayed prominently on the wall at eye level as we rode the escalator to the second floor, the sign stated, "Our mission is to be the centre of shopping for Lambton County". To the people and employees in that store, the company openly declared in writing why they existed. So whether or not Sears ever did become the county's main shopping centre, it did give every employee the measure the business was using to make decisions as they reached for their goals.

So what's the mission for your life? Overall, why do you think you are alive today? What is your long-term game plan? Is it all about you or are you giving yourself to a cause that is infinitely greater than that? Be honest. Do your personal ambitions drive your life purpose or does your mission shape your ambitions?

Often someone's life mission is unwritten but still obvious because it is the thing that influences every choice they make. Maybe it's to feel good about yourself or to be really well liked by others. Perhaps it's finding a fulfilling job or becoming independently wealthy or gaining the power to control any situation. These are fairly common pursuits but in the end are they worth giving your entire life to?

The Bible is helpful because it lets you to see the big picture for your life. You learn that meaning and purpose come through knowing why you do what you do. Your first priority is to turn from being inward-focused to becoming outward-focused. It is summed up in these words: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)

Talk about an all-encompassing purpose! "Whatever you do" includes everything. Every single part of your life is to count for God above all else. That is the perspective you are to use as you decide how to live well at home, work, school and play. Ask God and he will show you how every aspect of your life can be arranged to fit into this overall purpose. Why not take the time to get clear direction so that you can truly make your life count?

Here’s something you can pray right now to better see the big picture for your life:

"Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that you are the Creator and Sustainer of my life. I am reminded today and do affirm that you have a significant purpose for me, and that is to bring you glory. I thank you that I know you personally through faith in Jesus Christ. I pledge myself to keep growing in my knowledge of you by studying your word and praying continually. I ask your Holy Spirit to reveal to me and remind me of the destiny that you have marked out for me when I need to know it. I thank you that you have already given me everything I need to fulfill the purpose for my life. I commit to keeping my eyes on the big picture of what you are doing and how I can be a part. In everything that I say and do, may you be glorified. Amen"

DW

Some more about "Shadow Mission"

No, we're really not here to sell anything, but as I was getting my message ready, I realized that it wasn't my intention to plagiarize all of John Ortberg's ideas, to spend my time with you recapping his book or to really talk all about shadow missions. What I wanted to do was use the idea to launch some devotional thoughts for mother's about their missions. But, the stuff in this book was too good to not share so here's more about "Overcoming Your Shadow Mission" by John Ortberg if you want to jump on that train and take a ride. It will be worth your time.

Here are some quotes I found helpful from the book...
"[The story of Esther] tells us that our shadow missions have enormous destructive potential. The mission we devote ourselves to will shape us. Our unplanned, involuntary thoughts and wishes will spring out of it. Noble missions will give rise to noble thoughts, but shadow missions will produce an inner life of hidden darkness and destructive discontent. Shadow missions always destroy at least one person - the one who lives for them." (p.35)

"Our shadow mission leads us just five or ten degrees of our true path in the direction of selfishness or comfort or arrogance. But those few degrees, over time, become the difference between light and shadow."(p. 36)

"In the absence of good character, the giftedness of people will not be used well. The more gifted we are, the more arrogant and destructive we are apt to be." (p.43)

"Character formation is absolutely fundamental to our well-being, but it's not glamorous. So often - in our work, in our lives, even in our churches - we think, "Man, there's so much going on, we can't take the time to work on 'character'." The question really is: Who do we want to be? We can do really impressive-looking things, but what we take into eternity is who we become." (p.52)

"Character comes as a by-product of the pursuit of God and the kingdom of God." (p.53)

"While it's important to build your character and identify your shadow mission, in truth you need only one thing. Without this one thing you can name your shadow mission and claim it and battle it - and still lose. That one essential thing is a vision of God and the reality of His kingdom." (p.91)

[Overcoming Your Shadow Mission, John Ortberg, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2008.]

Enjoy the next step in your journey,
TD


Want to buy this book? Check it out on Amazon.ca:
http://www.amazon.ca/Leadership-Library-Overcoming-Shadow-Mission/dp/031028760X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272901167&sr=8-1


John does a bit of Q & A after his session at the 2007 LEAD Summit about shadow missions.

What's the plan?

So, what are you planning to do with the rest of your life?

Good question. I had been asking that of myself over recent years and the fact is that I didn't have a real good answer. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to do or I wasn't taking on and finishing projects of various sizes - that seemed to be the norm. Lack of busyness was not the problem because it seemed there was never enough time to do all that could have been done. Passion to excel at something significant was never in short supply for me. Needs to be met were always evident and growing by the day. The desire to please God through knowing, loving and serving him faithfully was ever present in my life. Yet I kept getting the sense that there was something else that I had been created and prepared by God to do, something defining to spend the rest of my life doing.

Have you ever felt that way? You enjoy what you do but you are not convinced that you are yet in full stride as you pursue your life's purpose? Perhaps you’re going ahead, but you still a little unsure of the ultimate goal? Many men and women have talked with me over time about whether or not their lives have made any difference in this world. They wonder, ‘Have I accomplished anything of real significance that will outlast me?’ I can relate to what they are asking because I've asked the same thing.

Not so long ago it came to me to consider not so much what I've done to this point but about how I want to finish. In some ways I wish I had thought of this when I was much younger, when I had my whole life ahead of me. To those of you in your early years, realize that it's not too soon to think about this and learn from the experiences of people you know that are farther along life’s path. Whatever your stage in life, it is well worth your while to ask the hard questions about your ultimate purpose so that you can finish your life strong with few regrets about what might have been.

So, where do you start? Several years ago I developed a personal purpose statement that was to be the overall measure and guide for what I did. Recently I went back to that statement and looked at what I had originally set out to do and asked myself if I had been successful or not with its mandate. To be honest, I was amazed at how much my life was reflected in this simple statement. It was actually encouraging to revisit the mission for my life and see the results of leaving a mark where I had been on purpose. Rather than feeling unfulfilled by giving myself to aimless pursuits, I felt a deep satisfaction that comes from completing something worthwhile. Without that mission statement I would not have had a credible reference tool to evaluate my progress.

I have recently updated my life mission statement to reflect what I hope to accomplish in the big scheme of things. When I get to the end, how will I finish? The questions that I’m asking are life-defining. What things will I leave behind me when I'm gone that will make an eternal impression? What things am I willing to give my life to that will influence others to spend their lives wisely and productively for Christ? Answer those questions and you will have a good foundation to build your own mission statement.

I hope that this insight has inspired you to consider the potential of your life to make a difference in the real world in which you live. I trust that you will ask God the tough questions and listen to his answers. I encourage you to develop a personal life mission that sets its sights on making an eternal impression for Christ in your everyday world from now to the moment you finish the journey.

DW