UNTIMELY DEMISES

Humorous tombstone inscriptions;

“I told you I was sick.”

“I made some good deals. I made some bad ones. I really went in the hole on this one.”

“1902-2000 - An Untimely Demise”.

My Grandmother passed away at 96 years old – and she was ready. She struggled with it but she also willed it with a special sort dignity in the end. The body was shutting down. In her life she’d seen it all – many times over. The redundancy of it all occurred to her. It was a long night and her breathing came hard, strong and deliberate under an oxygen mask that she kept swiping away. When she became unconscious, she would react to the touch of your hand in hers with a squeeze and her grip had an urgency and a will about it. Her countenance transformed by the hour before those of us who sat in vigil. It was hard to watch. When rest came it was a relief but it was “untimely”. I didn’t want her to go but I accepted it. I loved her and enjoyed her and had memories of her as far back as I can remember. And she had become a cadaver. Death is not good. Though she was 96, it was an untimely death. It was grim and macabre. I am thankful for the fond memories I have of my Grandma that keep her alive and ageless in my mind.

 All death is unseemly and untimely. All death is grim. Death is indeed a demise. It is everyone’s demise. It will be my demise. It will also be my liberation and release into eternity with my Lord. I look forward to the day I see my loving Lord, Jesus Christ, face to face, but I still have work to do here.

I have lived long enough to have prayed for the recovery of many a loved one, or another’s loved one. I have been asked again and again to pray for another or even someone I don’t really know. That’s not easy because I don’t believe in superficial prayer and so I pray more generally in those cases. And that is good because those more general prayers are not distorted as much by my emotions. I have witnessed the youthful and the elder struggle with and resist the “demise”. My prayers have been rewarded by a few temporal recoveries. And every one of those recoveries eventually resulted in a later untimely, inevitable, demise. I have learned to check my prayers and to be more deliberate about my supplications and the intercessory thoughts that I lift up lest they be too emotional, or frantically futile or merely empty robotic responses to pleas by desperate people who are losing hope.

The will of the living would be for the ludicrous notion of eternal recovery every time here in this world. This world that goes around and around spinning new life in and old life out. Why do we wish for such a hopeless thing? Perhaps it is because this world is what we know. It is that with which we are familiar. Most prayer in this regard seeks to prevent the spinning out. It’s really an uninformed notion. 

It wasn’t long before the newly emancipated Israelite slaves began to moan about the uncertainty of their freedom and they began to hunger for that with which they were familiar – the certain slavery and death of Egypt. Egypt had been their demise.

The illusion of life in this world and of vibrant, non-aging immortality in it is a tease. We are all a portrait of Dorian Gray. Yes, this life has its moments of beauty and love and fellowship and vibrant animation to be enjoyed and savored. But none of that is something to be clutched at because, at the root of it all – it is all passing away.

There is a lie that there is hope in denying death in this world. But the truth is that we, those we love and the things we adore will all, most assuredly, be spun out. Of that we all have the utmost proof. But spun out to what? That’s the real question. Uncertainty for many – for most. And who has ever come back to tell the tale? Well, if you choose to believe it, the Bible tells of a few … and of One significant One. In time, I begin to realize that in order to live a sane life I must not live with regret in the past nor in fear of the future but firmly here and now - savoring the moment and simply doing the next thing the best I can.

Regarding the “demise”, praying for “our” outcome against the magnitude of what is going on is really pathetically uninformed. There is no power, no truth in it. We all slide down a slippery slope toward that gaping mouth of demise. Or can we avert it?

There is a verse in the Bible that goes like this, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” Jesus said that. I cannot help reflecting on this with a conclusion that clutching at this life is like reaching to gain the whole world. If the Bible is right, such clutching risks losing one’s soul. Jesus predicated those words with these (Matthew 16:25), "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it."

With the inevitability of “demise” all about, can anything be salvaged? Can anything be saved?

There is another verse that goes like this, “Do not lay up for yourself treasure on earth where rust and moths corrupt and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up your treasure in heaven where none of that happens.” Perhaps, my treasure is my soul and it can be salvaged. Perhaps my soul and only my soul can be saved. Laying up treasure is not about tithing and extravagant giving and donations. Oh, with a proper heart, all of that will manifest as a matter of course in one's life. Laying up our treasure in heaven is hoping in heaven an trusting God with our treasure - our soul - resting in Him.

Yes, I have learned to check my prayers and to be more deliberate about my supplications and intercessory thoughts when it comes to my encounters with the “demise” that surrounds me and threatens us all. The outcome seems to be out of my hands. It would seem that there is no hope.

The Apostle Paul conveys some very encouraging words to some close friends of his in the city of Thessaloniki about death when he writes, “do not be uninformed about death so you don’t grieve as those who have no hope.” When my Grandmother died I grieved her loss and I miss her. But I do not grieve without hope for her. I believe with hope that she passed with her soul not lost. Now that my Grandmother is gone I need not pray for her and certainly not to her (I offer I Timothy 2:5 for clarity on that). My Grandma’s soul destiny was cast when she passed and she is on with it.

So what it that hope that Paul and his friends are not without? Faith and hope go hand in hand. The Author of the book of Hebrews wrote that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Also in the book of Hebrews (Chapter 6:19-20) you will read, “This hope we have as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast and which enters the Presence behind the veil (beyond death on the other side - the throne room of God?) where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus…”  Jesus is our Forerunner and the hope for our souls after our demise.

According to the Bible (in Romans 10:9) our hope is this, “If you declare with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”. “Heart” belief (true faith?) saves your soul for what is to come after. You may have heard that called eternal life. This saving action is called the “grace” of God. In other words; the favor of God Who gives freely to anyone who humbles him or herself to receive it. Paul amplified on this in another letter to another group of dear friends in a city called Ephesus, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through your faith in that grace alone and not in anything you have done; it is the gift of God, not by anything you can or could ever do – so no one can take credit for what God alone does and can do.”  

What is “eternal life”?  Jesus said this about that in a prayer to His Father (God) as recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17, “Now this is eternal life; that they may know (have intimate relationship with) You (God), the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Simple yet difficult if someone prefers to clutch only at what they see. Simple, yet impossible for someone who believes the lie that this is all that there is, that staying here is better than moving on into eternity with a soul intact.

The lie is also this; “You don’t need to accept any gift. Soul salvation is automatic.”

I believe in no such default. In fact, I believe that the default is death to soul unless God intervenes by grace and that I have faith in that grace.

God did intervene. He sent us Jesus Christ to deal with our demise.

What do you believe? What do you want to believe? What’s your answer to your imminent demise?

The Pallet of the Paralytic

My Wife and I recently set out for a late autumn adventure the first week of December driving roundtrip to northern Florida from New England to particulate in a sailing regatta. It was a rigorous endeavor and we did the distance in two days instead of the planned three. That gave us an extra day to “rest up” before the regatta. When we arrived at our modest motel room I crashed and Denise opted to work off her road raggedness by taking a walk around the downtown for a little light exploration.

The next day we awoke to a warming muggy Florida Friday and Denise talked me into a walk downtown in the still of the dawn to find a place for coffee. She took me down deserted streets and lanes and our “walk” started to take us many blocks from “downtown” center. I was getting a little anxious and we got into a little bit of a “we’re lost” argument until I was overcome with a still, calming voice that suggested that I “knock it off”, relax and relinquish to Denise’s instincts (and experience from her previous evening’s exploration). Within minutes we turned a corner and there before us was small store-front with a sign that read: “Palate Coffee Brewery”. That was it.

I’m thinking; ‘Pilates Studio’ and how are we going to get decent coffee in there? But it was indeed a Coffee House and not a studio, and so we walked in. As we ordered a latte and a hot chocolate I could hear the subtle sound of music from “Hillsong” in the background. I wondered; “could this be a “Christian” coffee house?” Alas, it was.

We spent several hours at that place and met everyone who walked in; the local President and CEO of the Christian Chamber of Commerce (of all things …) and he did most of the introductions. It turns out that Fridays are when local business leaders congregate there throughout the day. We received the testimony of a local ministry leader who shared her passion for local homeless children before a gathered group. The café owner was a Pastor and the place was set up as a not for profit to support missions. The staff were all volunteers/barista trainees (which explained why it took so long for my latte). I also learned that they trained their barista’s so they would go on to work for good paying jobs at other cafes in the go-go Central Florida Market which includes Orlando.

When I was asked what I “did” I, of course, mentioned my commitment with “Truth at Work” and they wanted to know more. I have since introduced them to the leadership of Truth at Work in Indianapolis and who knows where that will lead. My wife and I quickly recognized that our trip to Florida was not really about a sailing regatta – but rather - about this encounter.

Before we left the café I asked the proprietor the significance of the name of the place and he said that it had to do with the paralytic on the pallet in the Book of Mark. Then as I looked around I saw that the interior décor was all of pallet pieces and even the tables were made from parts of recycled pallets. It occurred to me that there was probably some deeper meaning to the significance of the “Pallet” and so we talked about that briefly. I asked if he had ever preached a message about the “pallet” and he had not, so I committed on the spot to do a study on it as soon as I was able.

Here is that study:       

Anchoring Verses:

John 5:7-9 ⁷ The invalid (paralytic) answered, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am coming [to get into it myself], someone else steps down ahead of me.” ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Get up; pick up your pallet and walk.” ⁹ Immediately the man was healed and recovered his strength, and picked up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.

Mark 2:1-12 After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. ² So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. ³ Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. ⁴ They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat (pallet) on which the paralyzed man was lying. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”

⁶ Some legal experts were sitting there, muttering among themselves, ⁷ “Why does he speak this way? He’s insulting God. Only the one God can forgive sins.”

⁸ Jesus immediately recognized what they were discussing, and he said to them, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? ⁹ Which is easier—to say to a paralyzed person, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your pallet, and walk’? ¹⁰ But so you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed, ¹¹ “Get up, take your pallet, and go home.”

¹² Jesus raised him up, and right away he picked up his pallet and walked out in front of everybody. They were all amazed and praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

# # # #

The Bible contains innumerable accounts of signs and wonders to which the people always exclaim, “we have never seen anything like this before!” and so, again, I experienced a divine encounter that brought me before authentic believers in a place I have never been before. And they were not strangers to me. Sojourners encountering brethren sojourners. Aliens encountering aliens - in a place called “Palate Coffee Brewery”.

Signs and wonders and yet multitudes still did not believe! So many signs and so many wonders, yet so many turned and left when it became the least bit difficult to selflessly submit to the Lord. Jesus even asked His twelve intimate ones, “will you leave Me too?”

The call of Jesus is personal - not spectacle - and not general. The miracles are personal and the call is personal. To forgive sin is far greater than to perform a sign or a miracle – to cure a mere temporal physical ailment. All die the “first” death (referred to in Revelation 2, 20 and 21).

Yet, the darkness resists the light and cringes from it. We were children of darkness and in that darkness we yearn for a distorted shelter “with” our sin. Sin that never satisfies.

In Christ we find deliverance “from” our sin. He is our strength – not us. The paralytic of John 5 “recovers” his strength, picks up his pallet and walks. How long had that man struggled without Jesus and without power? We, like he, clutch at our sin because we have become comfortable in it. Like the slaves of Egypt we hunger for the familiar chains. What obscures our ability to see the power of Christ that will allow us to rise up and walk? The answer is the one thing that always amazed Jesus when He encountered it: Authentic Faith – the substance of things hoped for – the evidence of things unseen (Heb 11).

Oh, how those chains addict us, keep us and - in submission to what is false – blind us and restrain us from the glory of God. The myth of Pharaoh, the myth of scarcity, the fear of want versus the lyric of abundance and freedom and the gift of eternity restrains us from TRUTH.

The paralytic at the pool of Bethesda and the paralytic lowered through the roof of that cottage in Capernaum both lay on a pallet. Central to these two scenes is Jesus’ forgiveness of their “sins” foremost. The paralysis, the physical condition, is secondary. The “cure” is merely a contrast that can be comprehended by mere men to the glory of what Jesus represents – eternal fellowship with God through Jesus – deliverance from the paralysis of sin.

The Greek root word(s) used for “pallet” in the New Testament texts here are; KLINE and KRABBATOS which relate to the words KLINIDION and KLINE from which we get the modern words; “recline” and “incline”. The Greek root words refer to the following; a couch, recliner, to be far spent, to bow down, to turn in flight, to wear away, a mattress.

As we let the Greek root word meanings sink in it becomes apparent that the pallet is the excuse of man – his submission and retreat toward sin. We recline in our fallen-ness – our paralysis is our giving-in to the sin. We are indeed far spent and bowed down to our sin and we do indeed turn in self righteous flight from our recovery in Christ. I recall an excerpt from the eloquent verses of the poem “The Hound of Heaven” by Francis Thompson;

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;

I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways of my own mind;

and in the mist of tears I hid from Him, and under running laughter.

Up vistaed hopes I sped; and shot, precipitated, adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears … from those strong Feet that followed - followed after… but with unhurrying chase, and unperterbed pace.

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat, and a Voice beat … more instant than the Feet

“All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.”

We are worn down and sin weary. We are betrayed by our sin.

Our “pallet” is our responsibility; our role. We are cured by Jesus and once we are renewed through Him we take up that responsibility and the bridling of our old sin nature with it – with the exquisite assistance of the Holy Spirit – our Paraclete.  We pick up and carry our pallet as Jesus commanded those two paralytics because it no longer carries us and nor do any who were the bearers of that old sin pallet in that cottage in Capernaum or anywhere else. Neither do we lounge or take our rest upon that pallet of affliction any longer.

Jesus said, in Matthew 11; “Come to Me, all you who labor and are weary, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

Forgiveness IS healing. Jesus is healing. With Jesus, sin falls away and with it the crutches and paralysis of sin. The rolled up pallet is an echo of our past dependence on sin.

And so I thank God for the precious and most divine encounter my Wife and I recently had with the blessed Proprietors and supporters of the “Palate Coffee Brewery” in Sanford, Florida for bringing me closer to my consciousness of  the sin nature that will always lure me to recline in complacency, become ensnared and paralyzed by sin, resting on my pallet and recoiling from the power of His Holy Spirit to overcome my eternal terminal illness.

I must take up my pallet and walk by His power.

Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be ensnared again with a yoke of bondage.”

2 Timothy 2:4: “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please those who enlisted him as soldier.”

To my brethren in Sanford, Florida, I am thankful for your hospitality and the encouragement of your lives. I am even more thankful for the sovereignty of God that guides the circumstances of my life through His Holy Spirit and so I thank the guiding hand of The Holy Spirit for His control over my life. There are NO coincidences.

Blessings,

Bill

Filled but never Full ...

A member of my Truth at Work Peer Advisory group was facing an important decision in his career and life path after a lengthy period of, what you might call, “wandering and wondering in the wilderness”. A seven year wander. As a group we listened to his story, the unfolding circumstances and the several paths or opportunities that were presenting themselves.  He expressed his concerns and explained his anxieties over the many “what if” scenarios he had conjured in his mind. After much listening, the eldest and most experienced member of our group very matter-of-factly said, “Brother, you’re way over-thinking the situation. Rest, assured that God will make clear the right path.” The rest of the group agreed with this man’s assessment and I, for one, harbored a keen sense of excitement and anticipation and what was to unfold for my friend.

As it turns out, the opportunities sorted themselves out. One, a safe and secure option was dropped altogether by the other party and fizzled to nothing. Another, a high position in a very lucrative but cutthroat environment, ended with my friend not being selected for it. Two doors closed, which in itself presented an “otherly” path. A third, the least likely and the one that our friend had least considered as viable wound up being the place he came to rest. On closer examination, this unlikely, risky situation drew the most from our friend’s professional experience, it resonated with some deep convictions and prayerfully discerned revelations he had not shared with the group and if fit perfectly with his life trajectory.  I have never seen this man more excited than when he announced to the group that he had accepted the challenge and had already begun.    

It’s the story of Joseph, Moses, Abraham, David, Paul – you and I. Wait, wait, trial, wait, trial, accept, rest – Revelation!

It has been said that humility is recognition of what is truth. For most of us, such humility is not our nature. And so, we are given a yearning heart for who knows what and we wait until we embrace patience that coexists with an optimism that comes from an assurance that we are His. We learn to let go of our agenda. God allows our resources and our own resourcefulness to be depleted as He pokes holes in our capacity to hoard. Jesus is the Lord of abundance not the Pharaoh of scarcity.

In Paul’s heart felt opening words to the church in Philippi, he writes, ”being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6). He has begun a good work in all of us and He WILL complete it.

As I reflected on my friend’s journey and considered my own I remembered the rich young (flattering) ruler in Mark 10 and Luke 18 who said to Jesus, “What must I do?” How many times have I said that in my prayers. How many times have I said, “THIS I will do.” only to find myself no farther, no closer, no more joyful no more fulfilled with a sense of having “done”. That rich young ruler went away sad. Of course he did. He cozied up to Jesus like any self respecting, good religious man. Then he rather ignorantly and arrogantly asked the Lord of the universe how he could do it by himself. Jesus knew his heart and gave him the task He knew he “would not” do. That man’s pride set him up for his dismal outcome. Knocked off his horse just like prideful, self righteous Saul. I wonder what ever came of that rich young ruler. 

Peter asked Jesus to call him out onto the water. Jesus said “Come.” Paul walked for a moment, diverted his eyes, and then nearly drowned.

When I ask God “what must I do?” or dare say, “this I will do!” I am not motivated to operate in His power nor in His rest but in what I might do. I am not resting in Him, I am wrestling with Him. I am an unyielding, water tight bucket that may be filled to simply hold water and not a bucket with holes poked in it - overflowing with resource – filled but never full.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 is clear; “He who calls you is faithful and He will do it!” 

Blessings,

Bill

 

What's the use?

Have you ever asked yourself what impact you could possibly have on this enormous world and how, in God's name, you could ever make a difference in the marketplace for the sake of your Christian faith?

Discouragement is the mark of an authentic Christian walk. If this wasn't so there would not be so many messages of encouragement contained in scripture. Discouragement tests our patience and perseverance and so helps develop our character. Discouragement prompts us to draw together with the Body in fellowship. If you never experience frustration and discouragement you aren't growing. Absence of trial is absence of walk.

FACT: The world hates what you love and what you are drawn to.

FACT: The world hates the truth. It hates Jesus because He is offensive to the fallen world - and you are offensive by association.

FACT: You are an alien in the world and your Christian Faith is not wanted here.

Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:14-17: "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

And so, here we are - now strangers in a strange land. If this world doesn't somehow seem stranger to you since you've been "saved" - you've got to wonder ...

Our encouragement is this; We have a power, the power of light in darkness that is irresistible. You know that and you know that without a doubt. Yet you doubt - things. The darkness MUST retreat from the light. The darkness is displaced by the light. You know that. The flood of greed, dishonesty in the name of profits, poor character, inconsistency, carelessness, posturing and unsavory business practices that turn your stomach amplifies the enormity of the lost souls out there who are grasping at all the wrong things.

And it doesn't let up. Just because you are Christian doesn't mean that God plows a path of ease and pleasantness before you. If anything, it's gotten harder. Or has it? Or has it just become more obvious to you now that the blinders are off and you can now see things plainly - as they really, truly are?

Let there be no mistaking, everyone around you recognizes the light that now shines through you. That light convicts them and they don't like it. Some will be draw to it. Those drawn will be those who have or are coming the end of themselves - just as you did. You have a testimony for them.

Some (most) wish you were the way you used to be. They wish you liked the things you used to like. You're no "fun" any more. But you know you can't go back. Once in a while you lapse and give yourself to those old things but there is nothing in those behaviors - they don't satisfy - and you are left hollow and loathing yourself for having given in to them. Yet you find yourself thinking thoughts and doing things that satisfy your need to take control and look out for yourself and control the outcomes. You try to play the game the way the others do - and you stink at it more and more and you hate it. You're heart isn't into those approaches. You can't jump out of God's hands. Once you are His you are HIS.

The light of Jesus shows the way to peace. That light is in you. And so you convict those around you but you also represent the way toward peace. "God has placed eternity in their hearts" (Eccl. 3:11) and so while you offend and convict them they are also drawn ...

My Pastor recently taught on the three things that Believers (you and I - - - the Church) do; 1) We Pray, 2) We share the Gospel and 3) We wait for God to bring the harvest. That's it. We share the gospel first through the mysterious and remarkable testimony of our transformed lives.

In the midst of the race of the marketplace, the temptation to throw down your faith and plunge thrashing back into the mire is strong. But you also know you can't. When you try you're even more miserable and those around you scratch their heads and marvel at your hypocrisy. You lose your testimony. Your ministry suffers. YES - YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN STEWARDSHIP OF A MINISTRY.

God created everything, God uses everything. What's the use? EVERYTHING'S of use right down to the most minute gesture, thought, impulse and interaction. Your life is a string of those minute things - one after another - a string of precious pearls of life intersections. Let go, let God use you. That's the use!

Blessings,
Bill   

Storm - or just a great day to be out on the water?

¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ~ I Timothy 6:12

This week has been a spiritual theme week for me. You know, one of those weeks in which God causes your local universe to conspire in such a way that circumstances, things you read, sermons you hear, songs you listen to all keep bringing that one thing to your mind. It started with a song on the radio; “No Longer Slaves” (of Fear) by Bethel Music. Then there was a blog posted by a friend of mine “Lord save us, we’re going to drown!”. Then in Philippians 3:10, “… and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…”.

Slavery, fear, storms, suffering, death. Familiar adversaries of the authentic Christian. These are familiar adversaries that cannot withstand the assault of sustained prayer and immersion in the Word of God. These are familiar foes in the adventurous life of a blood-bought overcoming believer and disciple of Christ who lives in victory.

Spiritual maturity brings with it a familiarity with adversity and a capacity to endure hardship and setbacks with a meekness that astounds the world – and makes them wonder. That capacity to endure is grace. That meekness is humility of self and perfect trusting submission to the direction and commands of one’s Master. These confounding character traits draw others to their authentic source – Jesus Christ.

Why wouldn’t individuals who possess such character traits be tested over and over on the playing field of life before an audience who does not know God? Like well-trained, seasoned professional athletes we enter the arena day in and day out. Why wouldn’t we face challenge upon challenge to the glory of God? For what other purpose do we exist? A life of comfort in isolation? Called to the witness stand again and again. Expert witnesses for Christ. Expert wearers of the full armor and deft wielders of the Sword. We perform for an audience of one before a witness of multitudes to amplify the love, the Lordship and the power of Christ.

Several years ago I published a book titled, Fruition ~ Reflections on a life grafted-in © 2011. I want to share a portion of that book that goes with this theme (found in Chapter 6 beginning at page 79);  

“A tropical storm was strengthening as it thrashed its way up the coast threatening New England with hurricane force winds and damaging waves. At the last moment, pushed by a fast moving high pressure system charging down from Canada, the storm veered, safely, as they say out to sea. Safely, that is, for landlubbers. The only impact to New England seaboard would be enormous surf from the swells that radiated out from the storm’s center. People flocked to the seashore to watch one massive wave after another rise up, hang ever so briefly being pushed back by a stiff off-shore breeze, and then atomize on the rocky cliffs at Castle Hill or on the more distance outcroppings of Brenton Reef off of Newport, Rhode Island. Cars were parked along Ocean Drive facing “out” in drive-in theatre fashion. Spectators, eyes wide with amazement, ooooh’d and ahhhh’d at the spectacle from the safety of their cars, the park benches or the cement retaining walls that ran fortress-like along the entire length of the drive. Visions of the destructive force wafted through the minds of the spectators as they shuddered at the thought of being out in “that”. Images of shipwrecks and broken bodies and impossible rescue attempts by superhuman Coastguardsmen were conjured.

Then, out of the right peripheral field of view appears a glint of something. In the crazy twinkling sunlight one has to squint to see a lone windsurfer darting along a line of breakers, balancing wind and wave to beat a path across the stage. One by one the spectators spy the defiant marauder as he creeps from right to left swerving, negotiating the rising and falling breaking waves one by one. Then his progress slows, his sail luffs ever so slightly and there is a jerk on the mast and he begins to execute a turn. But something goes wrong. The sail wobbles and topples backward and there is a barely perceptible splash. A collective “oooooh!” rises from the crowd. For a moment the defiance of the intruder seems to be reaping its just reward. The small sail lies flat on the surface like some disconnected insect wing, rising on the face of a wave and then disappearing in the trough. Someone runs toward the edge of the breakwater as if there is something he can do. Most are silent – watching. Then, suddenly the sail bubbles to life and rises out of the foam dragging its rider with it. There is a cheer. Someone claps. The wave rider shakes off water and settles down onto a determined tack as he drifts from left to right and out of view. Someone says something about being crazy. Many shake their heads. Most of the crowd settles back into their mesmerized gaze. Some seem to snap out of a trance and abruptly leave…        

What strikes one about that recounting are the relative perspectives of the spectators and the wind surfer. To one the waves are terrible and destructive. To the other the waves are a ride to be harnessed – a rush – a thrill to be had. Fear or thrill? Do doubt, the wind surfers first ride on a stormy day involved facing fear, taking a risk and participating in a casual adventure that required that he have what it takes. Over time and with experience the fear transforms into thrill.

Perspective is very important. Viewed in its entirety a hurricane can be an overwhelming, fearful system of chaotic and destructive forces. It can also be admired with awe. At a more narrowly focused level, a foul weather day on the water may be seen as a strong wind creating large waves that behave a certain way. The windsurfer, focused in the moment is not taking in the immensity of the storm, he’s reckoning with the wave he’s riding and the wind gust on his sail. Through experience his senses pick up and interpret the forces directly affecting him and he makes adjustments. With practice and experience this sensing and responding becomes automatic and the wind surfer can take his eyes off of every wave encountered and focus on the exhilaration of the moment and the anticipation of continued exhilaration as the adventure unfolds before him.

Not everyone in that crowd is a fearful voyeur. Many assembled were probably delighting in the powers of creation on display and those who abruptly left may have been heading home to get their own windsurfing gear - inspired by the one who ventured out alone.

The eternal security of a Christian underpinned by the prolific promises of God to His children throughout the Bible should imbue the believer with a keen sense of overcoming capacity that makes every encounter with conflict and every challenge an adventure. Has not the battle already been won? Why are we instructed to don our spiritual armor in order to “stand firm”. The outcome has been assured by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The kingdom will be restored. Our daily battles are defensive actions against an enemy who knows he is defeated. Do we know it? Carpe diem, seize the day, is a battle cry of confidence in the outcome.”

See you in the arena!

Blessings.

Bill

Fruition ~ Reflections on a life grafted-in is available here at: Amazon.com and also at Barnes & Noble in hard/soft cover and in digital Kindle/Nook formats.

5 Stars.

The Passion of Leadership

Passion: The state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces. Intense, driving or overmastering feeling or conviction for something. A strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, concept or calling.

"A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”
— John Maxwell,

These are actual notes from the journal of a CEO and change agent;

“I am working in a new position and I’m there to conceive, lead and implement change for the better that will benefit the organization and the lives and livelihood of the staff and the people that the staff serve.  I am an agent of change for the good of the enterprise.  My track record indicates that I have what it takes to accomplish this mission and I was sought and recruited to fill this role. It all involves change.  In some cases the change will require a degree of temporal discomfort, effort and extraordinary attentiveness … as those I lead must adjust, modify and adapt for a new reality. The benefits in the long term will be wonderful. I know this but they do not. Accomplishment rates will go up.  Goals will be achieved. The enterprise will be sustainable.  People will know where they stand.  Self esteem will rise. There is a great professional and personal life ahead for all if we implement the changes that I believe we need to make and which I will propose and implement. 100% of the Staff say that the organization needs change and things have to get better.  Stress and anxiety are high, morale is low and some people are even physically unhealthy as a result. Excessive smoking and signs of substance abuse and excessive alcohol consumption are apparent.

They say they need change but I know that going through change will be extraordinarily inefficient to the way things have been - from the very top of the organization to the bottom. The status quo and the routines that torment this organization are also a comfort zone of sameness. They will first be uncomfortable then weary and then resistant to the “inefficiencies” I will bring that challenge that “sameness” and they will yearn for their former miserable condition. Some will come to hate me for the process I will bring toward what is good and better.

Some staffers have embraced my approach and have joined themselves to my hip as we go forward.  These few have experienced pressure and hard work, but they have also gotten to know me.  Their lives have improved and they know that my intentions are for their benefit. They experience my character and my passion and they are inspired. They are drawing energy from their effort. By working with me they have observed my labor and sacrifices on their behalf. By listening to me, by speaking to me, and even asking me questions along the way, they have understood how I think and have broadened their views. These few have tapped into my years of experience and education – they can visualize the planned outcome and they are inspired further.

Those who have avoided me, those who have not trusted me enough to get close … do not know me.  These people often question and even reject my intentions not knowing the fullness of the potential benefit. Their distance and distrust has robbed them of real benefits that I have brought because they refuse to partake of what is right in front of them … being so preoccupied with their personal fears. They are drained of energy by their resistance. I have compassion for their fears and I will be patient knowing that they will have to get accustomed to me. I am not here to command respect or to demand total submission. I know that a leader is someone you will follow to a place you wouldn’t go by yourself. I need willing followers. I am here to bring them to a place that they will occupy and carry onward.

In some cases, doubt and mistrust has bred ignorant cynicism and sarcasm of my actions by some. Such individuals have fallen into lives that are full of anxiety, fear and paranoia.  A few, out of desperation, have resorted to a form of surrender. But these merely lay down and must be dragged along having no momentum or energy of their own.  Some approach me with the heart of a cornered animal who feels as though the only thing they can do is to lash out and attack.  So they have come lashing out, threatening that they will either collapse or quit if the pressure is not relieved or try to have me replaced or discredited. But I am placed here by a higher authority. I am not affected by their attack. I know they are desperate – and do not know what they are doing. Their immediate panic is not my concern. I see them on the other side of their dismay and selfish concern down the line. They have become comfortable in their misery. It is what they know. I am interested in their long term good. Some of these, in their desperation, have lashed out personally and I have respected their boldness and taken the opportunity to get closer to explain things to them … and a few … those who let their guard drop and removed their lenses of rigidity have come to realize how blinded they had become in their distant, impersonal, self-centered and withdrawn state. Some withdraw all support but do not openly resist – preferring to see me fail by their disengagement, instigation of subversive actions and character disparaging gossip. They wear the label of change but are betrayers of the greater cause and themselves - imposters. These are the most sinister of all.

Some prefer to dance between being withdrawn and being involved in a game of half-hearted commitment that is really a waste of their time and mine. These “on and off” participants are probably the most miserable of the bunch. They spend so much time on both sides of the problems that they would have been better off either totally fighting me or fully supporting me. There is no follow-thru in their commitments, their faith in the vision is shallow and their modest committed efforts come to nothing. They might as well have done nothing.

I am in this for the long haul. Those who resist me I will eventually leave to their own devises and they will either abandon the organization, be marginalized or be part of an eventual down sizing that will prune the organization and allow for the addition of fresh talent and energy from new arrivers. I believe in positioning my people for success and giving them the tools they need to succeed.  I will even go so far as to place those tools right in their hands. But those hands have to manipulate those tools and the minds and hearts must embrace the new way.

I have seen it all before. This is not my first turnaround and it won’t be my last. I truly love what I do and I am patient for the process to unfold in its time.”   

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 One cannot read those words and fail to reflect on the greatest change-agent that mankind has ever known – Jesus Christ - and His passion. Jesus Christ; Agent of change, turnaround CEO of the world - of Creation.

Christian business leaders have a unique perspective on life through their calling as leaders. Leaders are blessed with exquisite glimpses of the work of Jesus Christ and His passion through their own experiences leading others to places they would never dare to go by themselves.

"When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn.”
— John Wesley

I pray that your stewardship of the position you hold bears much fruit and reflects a Christ-like passion to emulate the worthy calling to which you have been called ...

Blessings,

Bill