Full potential

Lately I’ve been analyzing some of the major Biblical characters who didn’t reach their full potential in God. My goal was to identify the things that limited them from maxing out in their giftedness and calling.
So far I’ve noted 3 major categories. I’m sure there are more, or at least narrower classifications…but this is a fine framework for me.

1. Blatant sin/disobedience (the kind that disqualifies)
2. Unbelief (wavering at the promise of God)
3. Distraction (a divided heart)

I want more than anything to pour out every last drop of potential God has poured into me. By the grace of God, I am determined to come as close to reaching my full potential as a country boy from Youngsville, Louisiana possibly can.

Guard your heart

I love Proverbs 4:23:
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

I always use this verse to teach about purity. Specifically sexual purity. Ok, sure, the verse works for that. But it applies in so many other ways.Don’t just guard your heart against lust. Guard it against discouragement. Guard it against pride. Guard it against doubt. Insecurity. Jealousy. Distraction.

Be selective about who gets backstage access in your life.

You can’t let just anyone into your world to speak into your soul.
Be careful who you share your dreams with. Their negativity can contaminate the possibility before it ever has a chance to become a reality. Be careful who you take advice from. Their immaturity or ignorance might confuse the issue and create needless chaos.

Everything flows from the heart.
Put it on lock down…like Fort Knox.
You’ve got valuable stuff in there

Make new mistakes

One tension I face daily as a leader is:
How do I enforce a standard of excellence for those I lead…
While still allocating the freedom for them to make mistakes?

Here’s one insight that has given me some clarity lately:
I don’t mind those I lead making mistakes. In fact, I prefer it. If they’re not making mistakes, they’re probably not playing to win.

I just want you to make new mistakes. Different mistakes than you made last time. Mistakes that reveal a new level of effort, or a new frontier of endeavor.

Most leaders don’t mind mistakes. They just can’t stand to see the same mistakes over…and over…and over again. Mistakes are fine (even mandatory) as long as we’re cruising down the open highway. But they make me car sick if we’re simply circling the cul-de-sac.

My Chief Spiritual Advisor

I’ve heard that Billy Graham referred to his wife, Ruth, as his Chief Spiritual Advisor. I like that a lot.
I want to take a moment on Valentine’s Day to honor my Chief Spiritual Advisor। Kim, I know a lot of people don’t know it, but Victory would be in pretty sorry shape without you। Scratch that…it wouldn’t even exist।
Thank you for all the ledges you’ve talked me down from. Thanks for all the rants you’ve endured, and all the crazy ideas you’ve politely and tactfully helped me to filter out. (All of the people who would have been complicit with those bad ideas thank you too.)
On the other hand, thank you for all the crazy ideas you’ve poured gasoline on until they burned high enough for others to see. You believe in me a lot more than you probably should.
I want you to always know that your words carry more weight with me than anyone else’s. Because you’re always on the mark.
Thanks for keeping such a fast pace with me. We’ve got a lot to do.And the best is yet to be.

Never go to war where there are no spoils

I’m sure you’ve heard that before, or something like it. The idea is that the intensity of your pursuit should never exceed the value of the corresponding reward. More simply, don’t waste time fighting battles that don’t matter in the overall scheme of things. But let’s get to a few practical applications of this advice.
-I want to avoid defending myself to people who don’t care to understand me, and don’t have my best interest at heart. I’ll likely never change their opinion about me, and even if I do, what have I gained?
-I’m learning to care less about being right all the time. All of us who are addicted to the drug of being right know to well how much emotional energy and mental bandwidth is expended in the process, and how short lived the high actually is.
-I’m trying to prune more of the fruitless activity out of my life. I want to spend the bulk of my time doing things that enable me for my calling, fulfill my calling, and refresh me for my calling. I want to leave the other stuff alone. I’m sure you can think of many more implications of this idea.Bottom line: Make sure there’s a pot of gold at the end of any rainbow you’re currently chasing. If there isn’t, you’ve got better things to do.
Biblical reference: Matthew 7:6

WHAT IF WE KNEW

Welcome everyone. Today I begin something that my Youth Pastor has told me to do for at least a year. And I think the thing that got me was just a simple thought . . . WHAT IF . . . what if by doing this simple thing . . . . that we could change a person's life forever! Just a few words on a page that could make an eternal difference. I mean, it's not about the time spent in University or Seminary, but just taking a genuine interest in another human being.
All we need is . . . a heart thats in tune with the Holy Spirit and a willingness to venture out of your "Circle of Comfort" and into another persons life.
Think about it today . . . what area are you stepping out of . . . TO STEP INTO ANOTHER? Because that simple act could change a persons life forever!