Well we are deep into the camping season now. I figured I put in about 80 hrs last week during Sr. High camp. There is a lot of stuff to supervise. I am really beginning to appreciate all the work our former manager put into the camp. I guess I knew it was coming, but still it is tough.
I added to my own stress last week to boot. I am a people pleaser. I have trouble making decisions and then second guess them every time. In the end I tend to judge my work by how others react. (That is a mistake by the way!) So last week, when I realized there was no way I was going to make everyone happy it really bothered me. Hearing complaints from people, who's opinion I feel is important, hurts.
I just had my 50th birthday and you would think a guy like me would realize there are always politics and power struggles within every organization-Christian ministry is no exception. If we all acted like Jesus he would not have needed to come to earth as our Savior.
So what's the right thing to do?
When you have been called by God, or hired by an employer, you need to do the job the best you that you know how. That doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to criticism. Sometimes other people are right about us! The bible says a wise man listens to the counsel of his friends. But once you have weighed out the advice of others you must proceed the way you see best, always remaining within the authority given to you by the position, and never allow the feelings and attitudes of others distract you from the task.
The Apostle Paul was all about that!
He faced a lot of opposition to his ministry but he never lost sight of the mission. (I'm certainly not saying that I am experiencing "opposition" like Paul did!) But Paul also faced times when he was opposed by his friends who felt he was going in the wrong direction. Paul left his friend Barnabas (the first Christian to trust him!) when they had a disagreement. (Acts 15: 36-41) Paul confronted the Apostle Peter-to his face- when Peter was acting like a hypocrite.(Galatians 2:11-15)
A good leader must follow what he or she believes is the right path to take.
Now, I give you fair warning because the heart is deceitful and wicked beyond cure-You must check your own motives, biases, and goals to make sure that you are not acting in opposition to God if you are in Christian ministry, or your employer if you are a leader in business.
A good leader acts with humility, understanding that he too might fail. (Galatians 6:1-4)
Once you are sure your motives are pure and your direction is sound, proceed without letting the voices of your detractors hinder you.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Blessed Exhaustion!
Wow! has it been a whole month since I last wrote? I can't believe how I let the time get away from me. If you want to know the truth, I have been running from one priority to the next without thinking even two or three days down the road. It has been crazy and taking time to type out this blog was a low priority.
If I came to your church this spring for a visit you heard my "Rest for Elijah" message. I have to confess I have violated all the principles I teach in that lesson this past month. In fact, our pastor here in Charles City was preaching on the fear of loneliness this past weekend and my wife slapped me upside the head. You see, I have been on a little bit of a pity party because I have been so busy getting the camp ready for the summer season, and quite frankly, it seemed as though no one was helping. I felt all alone. Pastor says that kind of loneliness is bad. Duh!
(I feel much better now by the way. Our summer staff is here, many of the things I hoped to get done before the season started have been completed and Theresa and I actually took part of the weekend off for John's birthday.)
But do you know something? Even in my struggle with being exhausted there were times when I'd step back and realize God had personally put me in this ministry-and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
It was interesting, pastor was preaching from II Timothy 4. I have often referred to this passage myself. Paul tells his faithful helper that he had "fought the good fight" and "kept the faith." He had finished the race well and now a crown awaited him from the Lord. Paul laid it all on the line to serve the Lord. Paul was not leaving anything in his tank. He was going to expend every drop of energy he had for the Lord. As every coach will tell his players "Leave it all out on the court. Don't hold anything back!"
I got the idea for this blog from Sam B. He brought a group of teens up to work a few weeks ago and in their down time showed a clip from the movie "Facing the giants." It is your typical feel good football movie about a struggling team and a coach who pushed his players to leave it all on the field. The clip he showed made me realize I wanted to be just like that player, who, being exhausted, carried another player, on his back, while crawling across the length of the field. He had given everything. He was completely spent. That's what I want to do.
When I look back on life I don't want to have any regrets about what I should have done.
So, yes I am exhausted. Yes, some days I feel like there is no one working along side of me.
But that is OK because I know the prize that awaits me from the Lord, as long as I keep the faith and remain steadfast in the work.
Blessed Exhaustion!
So, how about you, are you "leaving it all on the court" for the Lord?
If I came to your church this spring for a visit you heard my "Rest for Elijah" message. I have to confess I have violated all the principles I teach in that lesson this past month. In fact, our pastor here in Charles City was preaching on the fear of loneliness this past weekend and my wife slapped me upside the head. You see, I have been on a little bit of a pity party because I have been so busy getting the camp ready for the summer season, and quite frankly, it seemed as though no one was helping. I felt all alone. Pastor says that kind of loneliness is bad. Duh!
(I feel much better now by the way. Our summer staff is here, many of the things I hoped to get done before the season started have been completed and Theresa and I actually took part of the weekend off for John's birthday.)
But do you know something? Even in my struggle with being exhausted there were times when I'd step back and realize God had personally put me in this ministry-and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
It was interesting, pastor was preaching from II Timothy 4. I have often referred to this passage myself. Paul tells his faithful helper that he had "fought the good fight" and "kept the faith." He had finished the race well and now a crown awaited him from the Lord. Paul laid it all on the line to serve the Lord. Paul was not leaving anything in his tank. He was going to expend every drop of energy he had for the Lord. As every coach will tell his players "Leave it all out on the court. Don't hold anything back!"
I got the idea for this blog from Sam B. He brought a group of teens up to work a few weeks ago and in their down time showed a clip from the movie "Facing the giants." It is your typical feel good football movie about a struggling team and a coach who pushed his players to leave it all on the field. The clip he showed made me realize I wanted to be just like that player, who, being exhausted, carried another player, on his back, while crawling across the length of the field. He had given everything. He was completely spent. That's what I want to do.
When I look back on life I don't want to have any regrets about what I should have done.
So, yes I am exhausted. Yes, some days I feel like there is no one working along side of me.
But that is OK because I know the prize that awaits me from the Lord, as long as I keep the faith and remain steadfast in the work.
Blessed Exhaustion!
So, how about you, are you "leaving it all on the court" for the Lord?
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