Some people spend much of their lives waiting for life to happen. They wait and wait, thinking that one day, life is going to finally happen. Right now, it may be particularly tempting to see life this way. For Christian people, we live with the conviction that Jesus is Lord — right now, even in very difficult circumstances.
I hope you find the following list of five encouraging or even helpful:
The List of Five
What Kind of Person Was I Meant to Be?
Some years ago, I spoke to two different groups of women in the Gatesville Correctional Facility in Gatesville, Texas. I had been asked to speak that day as a part of their educational curriculum. The teacher of these two classes asked me to speak on “family.” I agreed to come but then then later thought, “What am I going to say about family to these women who are in prison?” I wrestled with what might be appropriate or even helpful. Finally, it occurred to me, to acknowledge the brokenness of us all and then discuss what God’s original intention might have been. I encouraged these women to think about the way a family was always meant to be – regardless of what they might have actually experienced.
Years later, I find it helpful to pay attention to God’s original design for my life, as reflected in his character and as it is revealed in Scripture.
What kind of person was I meant to be?
What kind of husband/wife was I meant to be?
What kind of father/mother was I meant to be?
These three questions have been very helpful to me — practically. The answer I give to these questions can help me move forward intentionally, each day.
My work today is with Harding School of Theology in Memphis. For many years, I served congregations as a minister. Yet, my ministry in a school or congregation does not exempt me from having to grapple with my character and God’s intention for my life.
What was I meant to be? If I continue to have my present attitude and make the choices that I am making, what kind of person will I ultimately be in a few years? What am I becoming?
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Rom. 12:1-2 from The Message)
Acknowledge the Losses While You Cherish What is Good
Both boys were seated on the second row in this large, urban congregation where I was a guest preacher that Sunday morning. During the sermon, I spoke about God’s desire that we treasure him. I gave each boy, neither of whom I knew, some money. One boy received a nickel, and the other was given a five-dollar bill. I emphasized that we do not value everything equally. In this case, one would value a five-dollar bill much more than a nickel. With a chuckle, I told the audience that after the assembly I might not see the boy with the nickel again but that I would be looking for the kid with my five-dollar bill!
Yes, we experience and acknowledge real losses. Divorce. Sickness. Financial failure. Death. As you read this, perhaps these losses are not words on a page but are a part of your own story. These losses are felt deeply and it is important that we acknowledge these.
This is also the time, however, to cherish our treasure. Those of us who feel tired, defeated, and exhausted may need to remember again, that we have a treasure in God that the events of 2020 cannot touch!
We also experience good, every single day. For example, consider these good moments:
The sight of a vacation picture which brings back such joyful memories.
The taste of chocolate chip cookies, a few moments after baking.
The voice of a dear friend who you called today.
The aroma of the first cup of coffee in the morning.
The sound of children laughing.
We cling to our treasure, God himself. At the same time, we look for these precious gifts from God that may seem common and ordinary but add so much joy to our day.
Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all. (James 1:17 - CEB)
Focus on What You Can Control
Being a leader is not easy. It doesn’t matter whether you lead a business, teach elementary school, attempt to manage your home, or perhaps help lead a congregation. Margaret Marcuson, in her excellent book, Leaders Who Last, writes:
“When leaders can combine a clear sense of themselves with a wise understanding of human relationships, ministry can prosper…Being a church leader is never easy, but it is easier when you focus on what you can control: yourself and your response to others.”
Now that is a way to make real progress! So often leaders get focused on others. They ask, “How do I keep everyone else calm?” Sometimes we want to rush in and fix these people so that everything will be better. Ministers can get overly focused on calming their elders or the congregation. Mothers and dads can get overly focused on calming their children, etc.
Remember that the most powerful thing you can do is to focus on yourselves and your response to others. In other words, focus on your own functioning. This is something I come back to again and again. In the words of Dr. Charles Siburt, “Manage yourself!”
Deal With the Noise Through Solitude and Silence
Right now, there is a lot of noise in our nation. Voices are loud and certain. Much of this is expressed on social media. Sometimes, it seems that those who spend a lot of time on social media also deal with even more anxiety, perhaps due to the noise.
I have found this reminder by Henri Nowen helpful for remembering that solitude and silence may be more important now than ever.
(Henri Nowen, Out of Solitude, p. 21-22)
To live a Christian life means to live in the world without being of it. It is in solitude that this inner freedom can grow. Jesus went to a lonely place to pray, that is, to grow in the awareness that all the power he had was given to him; that all the words he spoke came from his Father; and that all the works he did were not really his but the works of the One who had sent him. . .
A life without a lonely place, that is, a life without a quiet center easily becomes destructive. When we cling to the results of our actions as our only way of self-identification, then we become possessive and defensive and tend to look at our fellow human beings more as enemies to be kept at a distance than as friends with whom we share the gifts of life. . . . In solitude we become aware that our worth is not the same as our usefulness.
Resources
Barry Davret, “How a Note-Taking System Can Make You Look Like the Smartest Person in the Room” Medium, November 11, 2019. I found this very helpful. I take notes on much of what I read, as well as webinars and some podcasts.
Lately, I have been reading articles from Medium. It is sort of a one stop for a variety of subjects. You might this helpful.
Recently, I have listened to this song (below) again and again, especially when I am thinking or just being still. Enjoy. (Elijah Bossenbroek, “I Give Up”)
Each Thursday/Friday, I post about ten tweets especially for ministers and other believers as they anticipate Sunday. You can find me @jimmartin.
I serve as Vice President of Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tennessee. You can find me at God-Hungry.org. You can find me on Facebook - @jim.martin. My e-mail address is: jmartin9669@gmail.com. Feel free to write. I would love to hear what is encouraging or helpful.
Below, the picture below was taken recently early one morning. Charlotte and I were staying in a little cabin overlooking Lake Hamilton, just outside Hot Springs, Arkansas. I’m ready to go back!
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