Spectator Sport

I heard it said recently that a college football game is 22 people desperately in need of rest being watched by 100,000 people who are desperately in need of exercise. Pretty much right on.

This is a very similar view of the Church also. Not your local church, but the big "C" Church, the body of Christ. We need to transform the Church from a spectator sport to a participatory sport.

Many times we look at one another and compare ourselves to them. We may wish that we had abilities like they had. We might feel that because they seem so much more talented than us that we can't do anything to add any value. This is not true. God has designed each of us with unique talents and abilities to fulfill the purpose He set out for us.

I am sure there have been people who have said, "I can't do what Billy Graham does." That may be true. However, if there weren't the thousands of volunteers and workers performing their tasks behind the scenes, none of Billy Graham's events would have happened. We all have gifts and abilities and they are all equally important. We each have a role to play.

So let's get in the game!

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:6-8

What the World Needs

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Howard Thurman

I listened in on a conference call yesterday afternoon to a writing "expert" being interviewed. She said that the biggest mistake that writers make is that they write a book without doing their market research to determine what is not being written about. She said you don't want to write about something that has been frequently written about.

On the surface, this makes sense. If you are writing your book for financial gain that sounds like pretty good advice. However, I believe the best advice would be to write what you're passionate about.

The same is true about what we do in life. That's why I love Howard Thurman's quote above so much. He's got it right. Each of us are wired in a unique way. We were crafted this way by God because He wants us to use the gifts and abilities He has given us to do the things that make us come alive while serving Him and others. When someone is operating in their "sweet spot," everyone is better off...that person and the world.

So when's the last time you asked yourself the question, "What makes me come alive?"

Pigeon Holed

My son is almost 13 and is going through some difficult things at school, including bullying. As a result, his confidence has been on the decline which concerns my wife and me. We have been doing a lot of praying and we have also been looking for things that can help him.

My son has a tendency to not want to get out of his comfort zone. This includes getting together with new potential friends or trying a new activity. Although, in almost all cases, he ends up having a lot of fun, he continues to struggle with this. Because of this I sometimes tend to "pigeon hole" him, or pre-suppose how he is...that he would prefer to be by himself or that he is just lazy. I then try to steer him accordingly into where I think God is taking him. However, if I am honest, I am probably steering him toward where I want him to go. I may do this more often than I care to admit with others as well.

Over the weekend I was reading Max Lucado's book, Cure for the Common Life, Living in Your Sweet Spot. In the book, Lucado said something that really got me thinking about this:

Pine trees need different soil than oak trees. A cactus thrives in different conditions than a rosebush. What about the soil and the environment of your child? Some kids love to be noticed. Others prefer to hide in the crowd. Some relish deadlines. Others need ample preparation and help. Some do well taking tests. Others excel with the subject, but stumble through the exam.

Rush Limbaugh made a D in public speaking, but today he relishes speaking into a radio microphone. The West Point algebra entrance exam nearly excluded Omar Bradley from military life. He squeaked into the academy in the next-to-lowest group, but he went on to earn the rank of a five-star general and oversee thousands of troops and millions of dollars in World War II. We each have different optimal conditions. What are your children's?

Pretty good stuff! This showed me that I need to not try to figure this out, especially with my kids. I need to be supportive and help my children to discover their gifts and their purpose. I guess I sometimes try to be God and steer my kids (and others) to where I want them to go. I must trust Him, that He has their best interests at heart and will guide them accordingly.

This also encouraged me that I don't have to "fix" the situations in others, that God is in control and He can use these in the lives of others. Now, it's my job to internalize it and live it out.

Gifts

Have you ever marvelled at what some people can do? Maybe it was a speaker at a conference who really moved you. Perhaps it was someone neatly painting your house. Or maybe it was your child playing an instrument of some kind. Check out this short video above to see a fifth grader with some obvious God-given gifts.

The Bible tells us that we have each been given gifts and my gifts will not be the same as your gifts. We are each to use our gifts to glorify God and we are not to be jealous of the gifts others possess.

You may feel like you don't have a lot to offer. You might not feel particularly gifted. But you are! God has wired you the way He has on purpose and He wants to use you! It may be using your gifts behind the scenes which is just as important as being up on stage speaking to a large audience.

I encourage you to seek out a class on spiritual gifts at your church or in your community to determine your gift mix if you don't already know. Lean into Him and use what He has given you!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk...or Cereal

God has a great sense of humor, so great it makes me cringe sometimes. This morning was one of those times.

I had just spent some nice time with God and part of that time was contemplating a particular verse in James. James 1:19b had this to say to me this morning:

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

I read that and thought that God was trying to tell me that I needed to not speak so much...that it was OK if I didn't get my point across all the time.

Then I came upstairs to find my son eating breakfast before leaving for school. He said, "Dad, I spilled the cereal." He had literally poured more Cheerios outside of his bowl than what had ended up in the bowl and it was not only on the counter but all over the floor.

And because mercy is not one of my spiritual gifts, I responded with, "So what are you going to do about it?"

Robbie said, "But dad, if I clean this up I'll miss the bus!"

Having an early morning meeting today, I didn't feel I had much time, but I said, "OK, I'll help you. You keep eating and between bites and I want you to pick up the Cheerios on the floor while I clean the counter."

So he began doing this. When he had a handful he started to put it back in the bag. I said, "No Robbie, throw those in the sink." So he did, or at least attempted to. He tried to throw them in the sink from where he was standing which was about 10 feet away. Needless to say, the Cheerios he had just picked up went everywhere but in the sink. Ughhh!

I guess God was trying to tell me He wanted to work on something else in me, my anger. I believe I did a decent, but not great, job of masking my anger. I didn't scream or yell, but I'm sure if you asked Robbie, he would tell you that he knew I was angered.

Sure, this disappoints me. But thankfully, I'm growing in this area and I'm not who I used to be.

Dreaming

The Dreamgiver by Bruce Wilkinson is one of my favorite books. In it Wilkinson shares a parable about a guy named Ordinary who lives in the town of Familiar. He wakes up every day and goes to the Job and then comes home every night and watches the Box. Sound familiar?

Then one night, Ordinary is visited by the Dreamgiver and his life is forever changed. He gets a dream for his future. What separates Ordinary from most everyone else in Familiar is that he decides to chase his dream.

The book goes on to show the challenges and the joys that Ordinary experiences during his journey. It truly is a great read and very inspirational.

The reason I like this book so much is probably because I'm a dreamer. I like to look at situations as they might be. Some might say I'm naive and that it is a weakness. Perhaps that's true; however, I prefer to look on the bright side of things. It certainly is more fun than the alternative.

I believe that each of us has a dream and that we were made for greatness. I also believe that our gifts, talents and passions give us an indication of what our dream is. God has wired each of us a certain way on purpose and for a purpose. Check out this short video which talks about our dreams - click here.

So what's your dream?

Lion King

My family and I have had the opportunity in the past to see the Broadway production The Lion King a couple of times, once in Toronto and another time in Cleveland. It is truly fantastic.

When I heard it was coming to Toledo, I asked my family if they wanted to go again. The only one who said yes was my son, Robbie. So, the two of us went last night.

Once again, it was incredible. Though I have seen this twice before, I was still amazed at the incredible talent that was on display. Several times I was so in awe that I had tears in my eyes.

I think I am so moved by displays like this because it shows the incredible power of God. It also speaks of His great love for us, that he would provide talent like this to entertain us.

The other interesting thing that struck me was how there are so many different parts to play in this production. Some were musicians tucked under the stage out of sight, some acted as grass, some had to walk on 4 stilts to play a giraffe, while others played the lead roles, like Scar, Simba and Rafiki.

Regardless of what each person did, everyone had a key part to play. Just like life. Each of us has an important part to play. You may be in the spot light or you may be performing in the shadows. But no matter what, your part is critical.