Jim Martin's Encouragement Note #3
Good morning! I am so glad you opened this e-mail! The following is today’s “Encouragement Note.” My intention is to publish one of these every other Monday. Each note will contain thoughts, quotes, suggestions, etc. At times, I will simply be communicating to you what I have read or a podcast I heard.
I see myself as ordinary. As I write, I particularly have in mind other ordinary people - perhaps like you. In fact, if we were in the same room, the following is what I might share with you today. I am writing because I value who you are as a church leader, a business person, or simply as a follower of Jesus. Many of us are just trying to navigate life in a whirlwind of challenges. I recognize that this “Encouragement Note” is not for everyone. However, for those of you who continue to read, perhaps you will find a nugget or two that you can take with you.
Each issue will offer “The List of Five.” Maybe you will find a take-away that is encouraging or helpful.
The List of Five
“Just begin" said my friend Scott Meyer (Temple, Texas). As I recall, I was sharing with him an idea and he asked me when I planned to do it. I responded by saying, “I’m not ready yet.” I told him that I had not started because I needed to know more, have more expertise, etc. Scott laughed and said, “Look you have something to say. You are prepared. Why don’t you just begin?” He was right. Still it has taken me awhile to learn.
As I thought about publishing this newsletter, I delayed and delayed. Then, I thought of my friend’s words, “Just begin.” Again, he was right. So, I began.
Here is what I have discovered. Just beginning this “Encouragement Note” has given me a lot of energy! I realized that I love doing this.
Could it be that there is something you need to begin? Is there something you need to start? Could you just take the first step? Could taking this step actually be energizing for you?
What is it that you need to begin?
Do you sometimes worry? I do. If you and I were at a coffee shop right now, I would sip my coffee and tell you that I have worried about many things. I’ve worried about both of my daughters, about my grandchildren, about money, about the congregations I’ve served, about decisions I need to make, etc. I’ve worried about the past, the present, and the future.
Maybe you have worried as well. Maybe you have worried about your age, your appearance, your children, your marriage. Maybe you have worried about your job and your future. Perhaps you know what it is to get out of bed at 3:00 am and pace the floor. You wonder if you are really getting anywhere with the things that matter. You may be a minister and wonder if your ministry even matters.
Do you worry about the past, the present, or the future?
Here are just a few practices that have been helpful to me when I worry:
Sometimes I read passages where the Bible reminds me that worry is futile and that God is at work (Mt. 6:25-34; Prov. 12:25; Phil. 4:6-7).
Sometimes I will imagine my concern being in the palm of my hand. I will then close my hand into a fist reminding myself that this is what worry is like. I am holding on to this tightly, even feeling the tension in my body as I anxiously wonder what I am going to do. I will then open my fist and release my grip. With my hands open, I pray that I might release this worry to the Father. I pray that he will take my concern and be at work. Practicing this occasionally, has been helpful to me.
At times, I think about how God has been faithful throughout my life. I can look in the rear-view mirror of my life and see how he has been active and at work.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Mt. 6:25-27 - NLT)
3. When life is complex, seek to focus on “one thing.” The book, The One Thing, by Gary Keller really made me think. I read this recently and found value in its emphasis on doing what is most important. Typically, I make “to do” lists using Trello. I also make lists using pen and paper. At any given moment in time, I can identify many things that need to be done. What I sometimes miss, however, is doing the most important thing. Below are various quotes that might give you a feel for the book. Maybe this will be helpful to you. (Kindle edition)
“What’s the ONE Thing you can do this week such that by doing it everything else would be easier or unnecessary?” (p. 82)
When you want the absolute best chance to succeed at anything you want, your approach should always be the same. Go small. (p. 90)
“Going small” is ignoring all the things you could do and doing what you should do. It’s recognizing that not all things matter equally and finding the things that matter most. It’s a tighter way to connect what you do with what you want. It’s realizing that extraordinary results are directly determined by how narrow you can make your focus. (p. 91)
Applying the ONE Thing to your work—and in your life—is the simplest and smartest thing you can do to propel yourself toward the success you want. (p. 213)
When everything feels urgent and important, everything seems equal. We become active and busy, but this doesn’t actually move us any closer to success. Activity is often unrelated to productivity, and busyness rarely takes care of business. (p. 299)
Achievers operate differently. They have an eye for the essential. They pause just long enough to decide what matters and then allow what matters to drive their day. Achievers do sooner what others plan to do later and defer, perhaps indefinitely, what others do sooner. The difference isn’t in intent, but in right of way. Achievers always work from a clear sense of priority. (p. 316)
Sometimes it’s the first thing you do. Sometimes it’s the only thing you do. Regardless, doing the most important thing is always the most important thing. (p. 401)
To achieve an extraordinary result, you must choose what matters most and give it all the time it demands. This requires getting extremely out of balance in relation to all other work issues . . . (p. 836)
Do you need a new perspective? It was a rainy night in Waco, Texas. I had just left a meeting at church and was so discouraged. I was a minister for this church and was feeling frustrated with a few individuals. In my view, they were costing me and others much time and energy. I began to wonder, “What’s the use?” I called my friend Charles Siburt in Abilene, Tx. (church consultant and longtime ministry professor) and processed these frustrations with him. This was very helpful. The next day, I met with Bob Pearson, one of the elders at our church, at Barnes and Noble Bookstore for a couple of hours. We talked, he listened and offered me a helpful point of view. Each of these friends gave me the same thing — a better perspective.
Today, I still need friends like these. I need friends who will sometimes help me look at a problem, a frustration, or a dilemma and get a better perspective. Do you relate to this? Do you seek out friends (or family) who can give you a different or even a better perspective?
A few suggestions:
Seek out someone who will help you see this problem from a Godly perspective. Could it be that you are missing something?
Seek out someone who will give you an honest perspective. (In doing so, it is important that we are genuinely willing to listen and look for even a kernel of truth in what this person says.)
Seek out someone who you know genuinely cares about you. Does it really make sense to seek the opinion of a casual acquaintance at the gym or at work but never ask the opinion of those who genuinely love you?
Resources that you might find interesting and /or helpful.
You might enjoy browsing the Life magazine archive in Google Books. “It’s incredible looking back through all those issues — I particularly like all the old advertisements.” - (Thanks to Austin Kleon)
“According to Pascal, we fear the silence of existence, we dread boredom and instead choose aimless distraction, and we can’t help but run from the problems of our emotions into the false comforts of the mind.” (“The Most Important Skill Nobody Taught You” - Zat Rana.)
I enjoyed listening to a podcast entitled “The Anxious Achiever” (produced by the Harvard Business Review). See this very good interview with Steve Cuss on “Tackling Leadership Struggles, Burnout, and Performance Anxiety.”
I particularly enjoyed hearing Russell Moore interview N. T. Wright. Among other things, Wright discusses some of his daily Bible reading habits.
For years, I have had the habit of going to an unfamiliar coffee shop to work or having lunch in a place that was not familiar at all. Many times, I would go to these places alone just to take in the sights and sounds of the people around me. I listened as the waitress expressed her frustration to a customer. I watched as the cook walked through the cafe with a sense of pride about his job. Sometimes, this practice helped me notice and pay attention to our city again. I simply attempted to be present and stay aware of my surroundings. Most importantly, I am intentional about paying attention to this unfamiliar environment. I have found this occasional practice to be helpful.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7 - NLT)
You may know that each Saturday, I post about ten tweets especially for ministers and other church leaders as they anticipate Sunday. You can find me @jimmartin.
Jim Martin serves as Vice President of Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tn. . You can find him at God-Hungry.org. His e-mail address is: jmartin9669@gmail.com.
