our blog
Nov
Ripple Effect
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” In your ten months interacting with My One Word, I hope you’ve come to terms with the notion that you can’t do one (impact the world) without the other (personal transformation). You’ve undoubtedly seen and charted your own progress with this experiment and know God is the only one capable of changing the hearts and minds of human beings. Our only job in the process is to surrender to Him and put ourselves in a position where He can use us.
Our journey together has been like the preverbal ripple effect. The first circle that formed in the water was ourselves. By being intentional with our One Word, an aspect of God’s heart began to be rooted in our character. This wave trickled out and caused us to have a better attitude, different perspective and a hope that change was indeed possible. Then in October a change of current took place and created a ripple that at first caught us by surprise. Last month our focus was pouring into the one individual we find most challenging to love.
Now in November it is time to extend our reach even farther. Whether we realize it or not, God has given each one of us a sphere of influence and the capacity to make an impact in these places: your family, your friends, your neighborhood, your work place, your city and the greater community beyond. The question this month is how can My One Word make each of these places a little bit better?
I know that task seems overwhelming and has the ability to take us out of our comfort zones. All of us, to some degree, like to be left alone. After all, it takes enough effort trying to manage ourselves without having to think about the greater good of others. Yet, we know that we can never change the world if we go about life only wondering what is in it for me.
The good news is God has already given you a weapon to use to achieve this goal and its something you already know very well. In fact, you’ve been living with it for the last 11 months. Think about the word you selected and you’ll discover that its’ meaning is really not of this world. Generosity, Gratitude, Hope, Trust, Faithfulness, Honor, Kindness, Compassion, Gentleness. You have already armed yourself with part of God’s character thanks to whatever word you picked.
The great command, to love our neighbors as ourselves, is not just a nice way to live. In fact I think our future depends on it. We are not made to live as individuals or to simply be consumers. God calls us to help create a community of love and hope. My sincere hope is that your one word has changed your life. But now, here in November, it is my hope and prayer that your one word will help change the world.
- Read Ephesians 2:10. What steps are you taking to position yourself for God to use you through your One Word? Would you say that you are being a good steward of your word?
- Based on what God is doing through your word, where can you begin to affect positive change in the places that you have influence? What are some practical actions, which are expressions of your word, that you can take in the upcoming month to make this change a reality?
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 2011. 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!
Nov
Stopping To Give Thanks
The rumble in my tummy is just my stomach’s way of reminding me how excited it is for Thanksgiving. It doesn’t have to worry because my brain already got the memo. Visions of sweet potatoes and turkey have been dancing through my head for days. It would be an understatement to say I love this holiday. What did you expect? After all, the holiday is centered on my two biggest interests: food and football.
Growing up as a kid, I could think of no better treat then sitting on my grandparent’s couch with an overflowing plate watching the Cowboys lose (the Redskins fan in me is finally exposed). Yet, my family had a tradition which often put a kink in my plans. Before saying grace, each person gathered around the table had to share what they were thankful for. It always baffled me why my family didn’t understand that I wanted to show my thankfulness for football and food by digging into the grub and getting back to the pigskin.
Now, as I grow older, I am beginning to realize why we have a holiday dedicated to the act of thankfulness. Gratitude isn’t a natural act. In the midst of our busyness, we rarely pause and give thanks for what we’ve been given. While faced with a difficult circumstance, the last thing on our mind is remembering to rejoice over God working everything out for good. Our thoughts tend to gravitate towards what we don’t have rather than counting our blessings. Even in the process of our growth, we are quick to point out our shortcomings rather than looking behind us and being grateful for the many ways God has formed our character.
So, the focus for today’s blog entry is very simple: to pause and give thanks. Below you’ll find scriptures along with a few reflective exercises designed to help you express gratitude over the growth that has occurred through your One Word. If you are in the habit of journaling, mark this moment by taking some time to write out your thoughts. My hope is that you’ll use this as an opportunity to rejoice over God’s faithfulness to you.
Psalm 118:28-29 (NIV)
28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Take a moment and reflect on how God’s love is consistent even in the midst of our inadequacies and failures with living out your One Word.
Romans 6:16-18 (NIV)
16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Take a moment and thank God you are no longer a slave to sin.
1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (NIV)
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Take a moment and thank God for the victories you’ve seen in your character over the past year.
Ephesians 1:15-17 (NIV)
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Take a moment and thank God for the people who have come alongside you in your journey to reflect God’s heart.
Philippians 4:5-7 (NIV)
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Take a moment and reflect on the areas in your life where you are currently struggling to experience peace. Thank God that He is using this event to bring you closer to His side.
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Take a moment and thank God for how your One Word is beginning to take root in your character.
Nov
Nudging The Scales
Some writing assignments prove to be a bit more daunting than others. Explaining the concept of leverage and the role it should play in the life of a disciple is one such challenging task. To clear my mind and search for the right approach on this topic, I took my two daughters to the park. When hearing my youngest daughter pleading for me to play with her on the seesaw, I realized that in a simple piece of playground equipment I had found the perfect example to help one see leverage from the proper perspective.
Think about it for a moment. The contraption is built on the principle of leverage. If my tiny kindergartner sat on one end and I placed my weight on the other, chances are good she would get skyrocketed up into space. No matter how hard she attempted to nudge the seesaw down, it would be a losing battle. However, if she had her sister and a few of their friends join her on the same side, the scales would begin to turn. By leveraging your life for impact you start to nudge the scales ever so slightly. Yet, it is only when a community of believers come together that the possibility of turning the world upside down comes into play.
Leverage is simply the power to influence something in a particular direction. Leverage is about taking personal responsibility for the Kingdom of God. One begins to leverage their life when they begin to understand God has given them the power to influence others through the way they live their life.
The simple truth is this, the church has the only message that has the power to change the human heart, heal a wounded soul, turn hatred into love and comfort the grieving. Our message brings repentance, redemption and reconciliation. Each one of us must pause and ask ourselves whether we are being intentional with the responsibility and influence we’ve been given. What are you doing with this message of hope? These questions change everything because they move you from participating to owning the mission.
God has trusted you with the influence of His love and the integrity of His image. As you are transformed into the image of God, the opportunities for your life to be used to display His kingdom increase as well. God desires for every follower of His to use everything they’ve been given – every moment, every struggle, and every success – for the sake of His Kingdom. We have to look at everything we have, as well as all that we experience, both the good and the bad, and ask, “what is this for?”
How can you begin to leverage what God has given you: your family, resources, time, wisdom, and gifts? How do you take what God has done in you and give it to others by leveraging it? How can God’s faithfulness be seen in the way you respond to your circumstances? Begin now by asking what are ways you can leverage your life o help fulfill the mission of reaching people and helping them walk with God.
Now imagine the difference we could make throughout the world, if every individual who was a part of the My One Word project leveraged their life for impact. What momentum could we create if we were a body driven by looking for ways to use what we’ve been given to help others experience the amazing love of Christ? How could we begin to turn the tide of culture if we took our role as disciples seriously by leveraging all that we have and all that comes our way to bring the hope the Gospel provides to a lost and hurting world?
- Read Philippians 2:12-13 and Colossians 1:9-12. What does it mean to work out your salvation with fear and trembling? Would you say you are doing this? Why or why not?
- How are you currently leveraging your life to make Christ’s heart known? What role is your One Word playing in this movement? How does the charge to ‘reach people and help them walk with God’ shape how you leverage your life and approach your One Word?
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!