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Beyond Intentions

One of the most challenging aspects of the My One Word journey is moving beyond your good intentions. Chances are good that you want to change, and that this desire is genuine. You can want and hope for transformation to happen, but it never will without movement. We must propel ourselves into action. The question you face is: How are these intentions going to become reality?

What are you going to do?

Making assessments plays a critical role in one’s spiritual growth. You must have some way to gather information so you can gauge your progress. This month the blog posts have focused on creating measuring sticks so you can track your growth. With a quarter of the year now in the books, it is our hope that you are managing the disciplines you’ve implemented and experiencing change.

As you are learning to measure your growth and track your progress, make sure you are getting good information. Psalm 119:160 says, “The very essence of Your words is truth; all Your just regulations will stand forever” (NLT). The art of making great assessments is not found in getting the right answers, but grounded in asking the right questions.

There are many people who began this experiment with great intentions. They had a clear picture of what kind of person they wanted to become. Yet they couldn’t answer the question “Why?”

Why do you want to become this person? Why do you hope to see change? Why have you struggled with this area in the past? Why are you meeting resistance? These are questions that not only focus on execution, but also cut to the heart of motive.

Growth can be found in the answer to the question “Why?” Keep asking questions and pursing answers as you continue the journey.

Room To Grow

I wish I was able to cultivate my backyard into a spacious garden where plants thrive and flourish. However, somehow I seem to kill every plant I touch. My “Black Thumb” sends every seed six feet under to its death sentence. In order to understand why devastation reigns supreme in my backyard, I headed over to Home Depot to seek advice from the garden experts. After answering numerous questions, my fears were relieved when they informed me the seeds lack of growth was not due “solely” to my incompetence, but rather the terrible soil in which it had been sown.

The expert informed me how the condition of the soil determined whether a seed would sprout or stay dormant, never to see the light of day. While some elements found in soil provide key nutrients, there are others that can be toxic to plants. Erosion, drought, rocks and other random organisms make it nearly impossible for growth to occur. In essence, the seed never stood a chance to develop deep roots.

Even though Luke 8:4-15 is often referred to as the Parable of the Sower, very little energy is spent focusing on the farmer himself. Instead great detail goes into describing the conditions of the various soils. This does not mean the identity of the Sower is insignificant. In fact, it is just the opposite. Without the Sower (Jesus Christ) taking the time to plant the seeds (word of God), no fruit would be produced from the soil (our hearts).

Yet, we need to ask ourselves: Why is Jesus so concerned over the environment the seed is placed in? What is He ultimately nudging us to do with what we have been told? Like the soil expert at Home Depot, Jesus understood how critical a role the condition of the soil plays in a seed’s development.

If the seed in the parable represents the word of God then it should unsettle us how only one environment provided an ideal setting for the seed to bear fruit. So, what can we do to make the conditions ripe for our spiritual growth? It starts by immersing ourselves in the Word of God. To reflect God’s heart, we have to know God’s heart. We must allow the truth of scripture to define our actions, words and lives; yet at the same time understand how just like a seed our maturity and growth take time to develop. Weeds can pop up overnight, but mature fruit occurs over time.

A heart found in good soil is the place in which the character of God takes root in our lives. This good soil is a byproduct of a heart which is real, submissive, and tenacious in pursuing the qualities of their One Word. The seed that will bear fruit is the one which can withstand the heat, distraction, and everything else working against it. This last point is critical to understand as you begin to ponder your current struggles with your One Word and whether or not you might be good soil. You need to understand how faith doesn’t eliminate the struggle. Rather faith perseveres until the fullness of God is demonstrated and His fruit is born. Good soil is not the finished work. Soil is simply a context for potential. When you cultivate, you dig. You move dirt around to make room. You create an area where you hope what you plant will grow. You create room to grow.

• Read Luke 8:4-15. Which of the four seeds most accurately reflects the condition of your heart right now and your receptiveness to your One Word? How long has your heart been like this? Is this a place that you find yourself often? If so, why? Are you comfortable in this place or is your heart longing for change?

• Read Colossians 2:6-7. How does the imagery found in this passage encourage you and provide comfort that change can occur through your One Word? How can you can begin to “cultivate the soil” to affect positive change in your heart? How will you be able to tell if your heart is softening toward this change?

Are you looking for a way to keep your word in front of you all year long? Register for a My One Word account! One of the key features of a MOW account is an online Word Journal that allows you to capture your thoughts to reflective questions like you see above. You can go back at any time to read your completed journals to see how God has been moving in your life through your word in 2010.  If you already have an account, the questions from this blog have been posted to your Word Journal — log in to your account to start your Word Journal today!

Tackling The Swing Set

Many joys and benefits come with fatherhood. Having a little one tackling you the moment you step foot in the door after a long day at the office. A snuggle buddy who falls asleep on your chest, exhausted after a full day of play. An excuse for watching Shrek for the 1,247th time.

There’s also a special responsibility all dads share around birthday or Christmas time: being in charge of assembling the latest and greatest toy, bike, or swing set that will bring a smile to your child’s face. My last such task was building a kiddie swing set for my two daughters. Don’t let the word ‘kiddie’ fool you – there were more pieces, nuts and bolts than I could count. I could have built an ark with all the lumber at my disposal. Luckily, the 12 pages of directions were all in English, which unfortunately isn’t always the case.

I used the picture covering the box as a point of reference: a picture of Tommy and Suzie grinning from ear to ear because their daddy was clearly a tool whiz who put the thing together in no time. I, on the other hand, just learned what an Allen wrench was. I felt completely lost. How would all these random pieces and parts eventually end up looking like that picture staring back at me? At times I felt tempted to cut some corners to speed up the process. It was hard to see, in the midst of my assembly, how tightening this little bolt or following each tedious step was critical to the entire structure being sound.

Just like the kids’ swing set, when it comes to our relationship with Christ and the forming of our One Word into our character, ‘some assembly is required.’ The My One Word project is about learning and embracing something new. As you develop measuring sticks to track progress and growth, it is critical to have a point of reference to the person you are trying to become. What does someone who is patient, kind, loving, forgiving, (insert your One Word) look like? What qualities do they possess that you seem to lack? How can you learn more about these character traits? Who in your life most exemplifies the quality of your One Word? Have you ever asked how living out this character trait seems so natural to them?

Being a fool when it comes to tools, I quickly realized the need to call in reinforcements who were more skilled with the hammer, wrench and screwdriver than I. If not for my brother-in-law, the swing set would have been an unstable structure that would inevitably collapse, sending one of my daughters to the hospital. While we assembled the swing set together, I had the opportunity to ask questions, learn some tricks of trade and at times just sit back and watch. Over time, I gained more confidence in what I was doing.

During this upcoming week, we want to encourage you to establish learning goals. Begin this process by asking yourself a question: in order to grow, what do you need to know? As you study your word, you will begin to notice areas where learning needs to take place. These are starting points for your learning goals. Where can you seek out the necessary information to better understand the values and heart behind your word? What books or articles focus on the subject of your one word? What scriptures should you study? Who do you respect who could serve as a mentor?

The point of learning goals is to pursue growth and knowledge of your word. Take the time necessary to become a student of your word.

• Read Colossians 1:9-11.  In order to grow through your One Word, what do you need to know? In what areas do you seem to be lacking knowledge when it comes to the heart behind your One Word?

• What steps do you need to take to gain the knowledge necessary for growth to take root in your life?

Are you looking for a way to keep your word in front of you all year long? Register for a My One Word account! One of the key features of a MOW account is an online Word Journal that allows you to capture your thoughts to reflective questions like you see above. You can go back at any time to read your completed journals to see how God has been moving in your life through your word in 2010.  If you already have an account, the questions from this blog have been posted to your Word Journal — log in to your account to start your Word Journal today!