Recently my wife and I were walking through the mall just browsing when a watch caught her eye…not for her, but for me. Most of my watches have been purchased at garage sales, so I wasn’t too keen about spending $23.99, especially on a watch that was much larger than my usual wrist wear. Leah noticed my hesitancy to purchase it, so she started using phrases like “it would look good [aka sexy] on you” and “you need a new watch.” After listening to her persuasive words and promises of it making me cool, I left the mall with a new watch on my wrist. It took me several days to adjust to the sheer weight of this watch (pictured left), but it has developed larger muscles in my left arm. Two months have passed and I must admit that I hate this watch. Although it keeps great time (and looks good), I cannot read the layout of the numbers – it takes more than a quick glance to decipher the time.

So…why am I still wearing the watch? Personal appearance often overshadows personal benefit. Dying relationships are prolonged because of how it makes us look around others. Once productive ministries/projects are continued because we fear what people would think or say if we shut it down. Outdated models and systems are embraced because of what they used to do.

I may need to start looking for a new watch.

Traffic is always crazy around here during the holidays, so I’m not sure why my wife sent me out to pick up a few things two days before Christmas while she stayed at home. I must have done something horribly wrong to be subjected to that type of insanity. After fulfilling my husbandly duties, I carefully planned out my route back home. Although there were several options, I chose the shortcut but the shortcut turned out to be a big mistake. Cars were backed up and people were NOT spreading Christmas cheer. While waiting in this line of cars I came to the conclusion that shortcuts are rarely worth it.

Shortcuts are my attempt to find the quickest path with the least resistance, which will ultimately help me arrive at a destination before or alongside everyone else. The problem with taking the fast track is that a person often misses valuable wisdom which is only gained through time and trials. In my opinion, faithfulness and endurance are more desirable than timing and placement.

There are no real shortcuts to parenting, friendships, marriages, church growth, business success, godliness, health, financial freedom, or whatever else you can insert here. Shortcuts are only an attempt to minimize the work between a dream and a destination. “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time” (Galatians 6:9).

We all want it, well, I think most of us do. Success, although I’m not talking about the selfish, self-serving type of success. Regardless of how you define success in your particular vocation, success seems to be a term thrown around in our world today – successful businessman, successful parent, successful pastor, successful marriage, successful church, and whatever else you can add. With all this talk about being successful, is there a downside? I believe there can be. There is a great story in the Bible concerning the downside of success found in 1 Kings 18-19. Elijah, the prophet of God during the reign of Ahab (874-853 BC), spoke out against Israel’s worship of false gods, including Baal. Ahab is called the most evil king than all who were before him (1 Kings 16:30) and also the one who angered God more than any other king prior to his rule (16:33). This was spoken of Ahab because he was the one responsible for dragging Israel into the worship of false gods. As a judgment, God caused a three and a half year drought to come upon Israel. Toward the end of the drought, Elijah called for the 450 prophets of Baal to meet him on Mount Carmel where there was a showdown to determine which god was true – Baal or the God of Israel (1 Kings 18:20-40). In a miraculous display of power, Elijah called down fire from heaven and God demonstrated that He was the one and only true God. Elijah then had all 450 prophets of Baal executed for their part in leading Israel into the worship of false gods (1 Kings 18:40). After this monumental event in Elijah’s ministry, God caused it to rain again in response to the prayers of Elijah (1 Kings 18:41-46). Most people would read this and think, success.

However, when you turn the page, Elijah is being threatened by Ahab’s evil wife, who basically promises that she will have Elijah killed as he had killed the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 19:1-2). Forgetting about the supernatural displays of power he had just witnessed, Elijah becomes fearful of Jezebel, runs for his life (19:3), and begs God to kill him (19:4). What happened? I believe two things are clear in this story: 1) success is often followed by an immediate challenge, and, 2) past success does not guarantee future success. Elijah forgot that the God who sent fire from heaven was the same God who could deliver him from his current situation.

I wonder if I’ve forgotten…

Like a good little nerd, I was reading the cover story in the October issue of National Geographic magazine. The article, simply entitled Redwoods: Super Trees, speaks about the value and beauty of redwood trees, which have the potential to be the tallest trees on earth. Although the article addresses issues such as saving the trees and other conservation efforts, the author also writes about a unique process in the forest between the older trees and the second generation trees called release. The writer, Joel K. Bourne, Jr., describes this phenomenon for the reader by saying, “With their high tolerance for shade and ability to sprout, some redwoods can sit almost dormant in the shade of their elders for decades. Yet as soon as a dominant tree falls or is cut down, breaking the canopy and allowing new light to enter the forest, the suppressed redwood springs up with new growth” (October 2009 issue, p. 38).

As soon as I read this statement I paused and re-read it again; it was one of those moments in which I felt as if God was providing a spiritual application to an earthly illustration. In my lifetime I have seen many “elders” and “dominant” leaders pass off the scene which has opened up the forest to many of the “suppressed” (I don’t mean this in a negative way) leaders. For many years, some of you have stood strong in the shadow of an elder who provided shade and protection, but now it is time for you to step into the light and “spring up with new growth.”

I believe Paul wrote some similar advice to those “suppressed” leaders who were getting ready to assume the place of their elders, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:12-16, NLT).

Are you ready to step into the light?

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 I had the opportunity to attend IMPART at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. The eight hour trip from Ohio was well worth it for the “conference” as well as the time I was able to spend with my parents and both brothers who also live in Charlotte. This one day event was full of surprises, stories, staff, and stirring of the soul. Let me break it down.

Surprises:
Steve Fee showed up and played a few songs and then gave everyone a free copy of his new CD, Hope Rising. That was an unexpected surprise! I must say…hearing Glory to God Forever live was inspiring. The third session with Pastor Steven Furtick included a very special guest, Perry Noble from NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC. Hearing them interact about ministry was very helpful.

Stories:
Throughout the sessions, Pastor Steven shared the story of Elevation Church and how God has used their ministry in the city of Charlotte. His stories were especially near to my heart since I grew up in Charlotte. In just three and a half years, God has done some incredible things through Elevation and those stories were invigorating for me.

Staff:
The volunteer staff was AWESOME and the paid staff were available throughout the day. Those who attended the event had full access to the people who make Elevation what it is. You probably don’t get that at many other conferences.

Stirring of the Soul:
There is so much I could share here, but I’ll only highlight a few of the things God hit me with during the four sessions:

• Three essential core values which should be a part of the church: Audacity (faith), Honor, and Generosity
• “We want to be known by what we are for, not what we are against”
• Act on the vision God has shown YOU.
• Say it until you see it
• True vision is holding onto what you cannot see yet
• Don’t think too small
• Our generation must restore honor to the church and that starts by honoring God
• Honor men of God, the word of God, and other ministries
• Respect is earned, honor is not
• Excellence is custom designed
• Simplicity enables excellence
• Build for what God is going to do
• Momentum – you don’t create it, you just ride it
• I prepare, God blesses
• Embrace the pain that lies between you and God
• There is an emotional, physical, and relational cost to your calling

Yesterday I took my two kids on a bike ride because, well, it is our new favorite thing to do and I believe they enjoying spending some time with me as much as I enjoy spending time with them. Now every day when I get home from work, both my son and daughter beg me to take another bike ride. So yesterday, instead of traveling the normal route around our neighborhood, I decided to take them on a new, exciting adventure in order to explore the unknown – the woods. Hoping there would be a decent bicycle path amongst the tall trees near our house, all three of us set out on an adventure; however, my children had no idea what I had planned. As we approached the deep, dark forest my seven and nine year old became a little concerned about entering a place where they had never been; in fact, they objected and made statements like, “I don’t want to go in there.” I assured them that there had been no recent snake attacks in our area, so we finally proceeded into the canopy of trees. After only traveling a short distance, the trail ended so we backtracked and took a side trail I had spotted several yards back, which ended up leading to another dead end. Determined to find a clear path, I led us along the edge of the trees until we had descended down a hill where we were met with yet another dead end. By this time, my kids were clearly frustrated with me and at one point, my daughter (who is always brutally honest) put her bike down on the ground and said, “I’m tired and I want to go home NOW!” I knew it was time to abandon my plan for discovery and exploration. Dejected and a little frustrated that my plan for exploring new paths had failed, we all pedaled home. Based on yesterday’s failure, I was certain that they would not want to embark on another bicycle journey; however, when I arrived home this evening, they asked if we were going on a bike ride.

Has the person who is your leader (a boss, teacher, parent, or pastor) led your business, classmates, family, or church to several dead ends? If so, maybe he or she needs you to ask to go on another bike ride.

My front yard was starting to look like a jungle so I figured it was time to bust out the old push mower, even though it had not been a week since I last mowed. I filled it with some gas, pulled the cord, and began cutting stripes into the front yard when suddenly something fell from the sky and hit me in the head and then in the back. Great! Over-sized drops of rain were falling at unusual speeds making each drop feel like it was piercing through my skin. I didn’t want to leave my grass half finished (what would the neighbors think?) so I continued on in the rain (which eventually stopped) until the job was completed.

Far too many people run for cover when the rain begins to fall leaving things half finished. It may be time for you to, once again, pull the cord and finish what you started.

Today is my birthday. Don’t worry. If you forgot to send me a gift or leave a cute little message on my facebook page, I’ve already forgiven you. Just don’t expect me to remember you on your birthday!

In case you are wondering, I turned the big three five. Maybe it’s an age thing, but with each passing year I really contemplate what legacy I’ll leave to my family, friends, church, and those who know me best. Since a very young age I have prayed that God would allow me to leave a mark on this world, great or small. Even though I cannot say that I have prayed this every single day of my life, it is the prayer of my heart. This past week I had the unfortunate opportunity to attend the funeral for a very young man (45 years old) who had given more than a decade of his life to take the message of hope to a group of people in Canada. As I listened to others speak about his life, I was pretty certain that the man who passed away had no idea about the far-reaching legacy he had left.

In that moment, I realized that it is often in death that our true legacy is discovered.

What will people say at your funeral?

We live in a drive-thru society. Most things can be obtained either instantaneously or expeditiously and although I enjoy immediate gain, I believe there are some dangerous characteristics which can possibly result by attempting to acquire quick progress. One of the major perils in an instant society is quitting too soon; in other words, the desired objective is not accomplished within the stated time, so the mission is abandoned or seriously frustrated. While there are the occasional instant success stories, many more are stories of patience and repeated faithfulness. Eugene Peterson refers to this consistency and perseverance, especially in spiritual maturity, as “a long obedience in the same direction.”

As a church planter, I am beginning to understand this principle. The church across the country who has experienced incredible growth in a short amount of time is not to be my standard of success. Even though I can learn from that church and celebrate God’s work in their ministry, they must not become my obsession. My obsession must be the mission God has given to me and I must be faithful to accomplish it.

The principle is still the same regardless of your application. When your relationship is not progressing as quickly as the next person, don’t give up. When you aren’t losing weight as fast as someone else, don’t run out and stock your cupboards with Twinkies. When your business isn’t experiencing immediate profit, don’t sell out.

Be faithful to the mission. Adjust when necessary, but don’t give up.