Support

"... like a five year old learning to tie their shoes, I’d say, “I’ll do it myself.”

I never used to feel the need for support. Self-sufficient-Dan could always bear down, work harder, and press through. I could get up earlier, stay up later, and do what needed to be done to get’er done. When people tried to support me, like a five year old learning to tie their shoes, I’d say, “I’ll do it myself.” Even now my wife knows I don’t default to accepting help. Call it American independence. Call it Yankee ingenuity. Maybe it’s best to call it pride. Whatever you call it, it’s an attitude that limits our potential and chokes richness from life.

"... it’s an attitude that limits our potential and chokes richness from life."

Even Bat Man has his butler. And the Apostle Paul had a brigade of people. One was a Grecian called Epaphroditus from Philippi. I love it when Paul writes, “… Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need…Phil. 2:25.” Let the support terms bounce around in your brain.

"It’s a richer life with more potential."

Today, I’m learning to love support. Vision for effectiveness beyond my personal potential coupled with an ever growing bucket of frailties has driven me to a needy position where the value of support finally dawns on my sluggardly brain. It’s a life that includes brothers, fellow laborers, fellow soldiers, and people coming along side to give support. It’s a richer life with more potential.

Grace Freak

Dan Rockwell

What not how

Reading the Bible can be frustrating.  I’m not talking about frustration because I don’t understand it.  I’m talking about frustrating because I DO understand it and so much is left out.  The Bible is filled with things I should and shouldn’t do.  But only occasionally does the Bible tell me “how-to” do or not do something.

Here’s an example of a how-to.  People who stole should get jobs and earn money and then give to others (Eph. 4:28) I know it’s not a clear 10 step program on overcoming theft but at least the text indicates that working hard and generous giving are on the positive side of stealing.  Having said that, in a world filled with self-helps and how-to’s, the New Testament is sadly lacking.

"Leaders focus on what not how."

 

Jesus is no better.  He said things like, “You feed them,” without the slightest hint of how to get the job done.     He said, “Go and make disciples,” but didn’t set up an outreach program or develop a 12 step discipleship system. So I’m asking myself why Jesus and the Bible are so lacking in the how-to business. 

Here’s an idea.  Leaders focus on what not how.  Leaders show us WHAT should be done and what’s worth aiming at. They explain what really matters and paint a picture of a preferred future.  But, they don’t tell us how.  Managers and followers figure out how.  When I think about it, that’s the way I want it.  I don’t like someone telling me what to do and then proceeding to tell me how to do it.  It's degrading.  If you’re going to tell me how to do everything, do it yourself.  You don’t need me.

"It’s eternally relevant because He didn’t explain how."

Jesus explained the “what” of life when He said, “Love God and Love your neighbor.”  It’s a timeless, cross-cultural principle that applied then, applies now, and will apply in the future.  It’s eternally relevant because He didn’t explain how.  It’s true He lived it.  And yes I know New Testament commands are expressions of those two life principles.  But drilling down into the commands still doesn’t yield an attainable, measurable, 10 step program on how to love my wife. 

Being a Christ-follower can be frustrating because there are plenty of what’s and not enough how’s.  Here’s a news flash.  That’s how Jesus wants it.  Any other way destroys the eternal truths that direct and sustain life.  Any other way is measurable and attainable.  Any other way is too low, too easy, and too juvenile.

Grace Freak
Pastor Dan Rockwell

Vision

Tuesday evening’s leadership meeting was the second time I brought up a problem I see brewing at Good News. It was briefly mentioned at the previous week’s meeting. And, between the two meetings, I sent emails to the leadership team explaining my concern.

There’s nothing wrong with the people on the team. It’s not a matter of sincerity, passion, or a willingness to work hard. Furthermore, we all agree that the past three months are exceptional months in the history of Good News.

Here’s the deal. The leadership team is so consumed with pressing, urgent needs that we can’t get out in front of Good News. The tyranny of the urgent blocks us from thinking long-term. I’ll spare you the details of the discussion. The move to the Cinema Center makes everything go haywire.

So what’s this post about? It’s about a sustaining bond of love that binds a diverse team of four guys together around a passion to turn people toward grace. One of the sustaining influences in my life is the shared vision that binds us together. The direction for the leadership team isn’t clear. The vision is.

Now let me talk like a mad man. I want Good News to always be going haywire in some ways and in some areas. I want to get really good at doing some things but at the same time I want us falling apart in other areas. Extending our reach and expanding our influence for grace isn’t about creating a retirement community. It’s about launching into the unknown, risking failure, and, at least in some areas, struggling to keep up.

Boy this post sounds like a contradictory mess. Whatever happens, vision binds and drives us into the future.

Grace Freak Dan
http://www.graceunplugged.org/