The trust fall

The trust fall we are most familiar with; we either played it as a child, participated in at a summer camp, or team-building exercise. The trust fall is in which a person deliberately allows themselves to fall, relying on the other members of the group to catch them.^. Some time you are standing on something with your arms folded on your chest and truly fall back, or you just lean back while you are standing. The truth is this a ‘trust fall’ happen any time we decides to put trust in another, and we really do not have reason do so, except for faith. For instance, Paul had a trust fall with Philemon not knowing he would abide in his plea or petition on behalf of Onesimus. Who, Philemon, did not have to give grace and mercy but his just due for any other runaway slave. See trust fall, is more than just believing in someone, it is trust in what you have no evidence to prove it will happen. You just do and let go. You put out with your heart…with faith. 

Anyone who leading a group has a built in, symbolic ‘trust fall’ for them because people only follow who they trust. This is the reason it is difficult to lead because where no trust exist, there is no true followers; Christ set the example. Anyone who says they are Christians, must submit to the trust fall with the Father nothing is earned, we cannot work to show ourselves worthy, or become obedient enough to get into heaven to sit a the feet of the Almighty. We must trust in the Father words with our heart knowing whatever happens, I am going to be alright; I will be caught, and all will work out. It is your choice, choose well,  and fall into the arms of the Father knowing He will catch you.

The Art of Balance

Ecc. 2:10-11 -  I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;   I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (NIV)

 

The art of balance is knowing you cannot get all you want, and keep all you have. Something has to be given up.  A going out of business sale for certain practices, habits, traditions, and/or people.   This does not mean you think, you are better than anyone or you become ‘too cool for school’. It is about knowing what is truly meant by this verse - 1 Cor. 13:11- When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me (NIV). See we evolve, and evolution requires for some things to grow while others are to become extinct; some things to be put a stop to, and other things to begin.  We too quickly forget this in our maturation process in life, and our pursuit for leadership and success. Although, we are very much aware of this concept, the art of balance, we fail to understand how pertinent and germane it is to our life. 

The art of balance is understanding without a shadow of doubt, God is either in control or He isn’t, no in between. If He is in control, then we understand the Father does not seek to destroy us, or for us to destroy ourselves with the gift of freewill, but rather it there to develop us.   We choose, it has always been our choice to make…For chasing after all and desiring or fighting to keep all, leaves us with nothing of value gained by us in life, and our pursuit of our passion and purpose in life is for naught...

The true test of leadership

The true test of leadership is something; we do not put much thought into as of late. However, it is the one thing we hear over and over again during interviews, conversations, or qualities to hold positions. It is the linch-pin, the key player in all things.  However, we don’t get it. Many of us have heard, and even said this - there is no ‘I’ in team-   but there is ‘m and e; me’ denoting, we are in this together, let go of the ego. See leadership is an unselfish vocation in life, and has no room for ‘egos’. Leadership is about serving, building, giving, providing, opening, helping, guiding, etc, and without getting the credit in many cases. But it also about knowing when to walk away from the situation; regardless of the pain you feel. If you are trying to assist others to improve or change, and they are not buying into, and you have given it your best, then it is you who is in the wrong place, not them.  Never force, only by desire. …Well, as I came to this conclusion, I had an ahha- moment as I prepared to formulate this blog. My eyes welled-up with tears because I saw the clear correlation between what I was saying, and what Jesus did for us. I am overwhelmed by the weight of this correlation, and how it moved me. Let me explain…

For years, I have believed these concepts, the test of true leaderships lies in these two things - one, great leaders are individuals who not only see leadership in others, but also willing to work with individuals to develop it, and two, is not when they are there, but when they leave and what happens then…So, when the clarity of this concept came to me, and it may not be a new concept for many, but for me, the gravity of the twelve, and the freewill to all. One took Jesus up on it, and exercised it… I just broke down. I let the tears roll down my face because I know it is about God’s grace.  So much of what we do in the secular world gets it example and foundation from the bible, Christ. So, I guess the ultimate test of leadership is this, either God is in control, or He’s not. Acknowledging God is in control, we are able to release the ego, and the selfishness, because we know it is about Him, for Him, and not about us.

 Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV) - A voice says, “Cry out.”And I said, “What shall I cry?”“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”  … our choice, choose wisely; its important….

Insanity

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This quote is attributed to A. Einstein. Einstein was a scientist and understood the importance of doing the same thing over and over, and not expecting different results. If he repeated something, an experiment, or test, he expected and hoped he would get the same thing. It further demonstrated what he was proving was correct.  However, us none scientific folk, in the everyday world, we do not comprehend this. We continue to engage in behaviors, relationships, or conversations over and over again, hoping some magical fairy will spray pixie dust upon it, and they it will change; not so much.  However, we wonder why things do not change for us, but we never look within or at the person in the mirror to begin the process to correct the problem. Some of us are momentarily speechless when asked to respond to this scenario where the issue at hand is our behavior that represents insanity. It strikes us as bizarre; we would be bothered with such nonsensical stuff. Yet, nothing changed because we do not see; we are doing the same over and over again, and expecting different results.

It is as if we believe because it is ‘me’ it should be different. But if we really looked at it with an honest ‘eye’ the deficiency would eventually comes to light when the knowledge is needed. The problem is not we are insane; it is we believe no one else sees our deficiency because I can spin a yarn, I can provide explanation for ‘my behavior’, I am a good orator, my position is such that I am not to be challenged, or I know, I hide it well. Thus, insanity will not be removed from our world regardless of what it is, career, relationships, conversation, spiritually, or whatever it is, until we are honest, authentic, or  truthful with our self, about our self without the delusion of grandeur, or not being awe about the truth confront with about self. Irony is this, in the good book, it states - Rom. 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV). If Christ can love us, in our filth and while we are unfit, then why can’t we be earnest so the insanity will come to an end; it what we all desire. See the path to our destiny is not a clear path that makes sense to us, but one that directs us to where God fashioned us to rest…Our choice, choose well…It’s important

Getting unstuck in this life

Getting unstuck in life is living beyond our sight, rituals, traditions, and/or what works for me but taking risk on faith as a result of god-nudges. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potters book phenom, is right - It is our choices…that shows what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Yet, we are stuck in our rut unmoving. Unwilling to move expand, beyond the moment, the position, or placement. We find ourselves locked to what is, we are unwilling to ask for help, when we don’t know how to change, yet we wonder ‘why?’. More importantly, we find it unacceptable to change for progression, and thinking it just change for ‘process.’ Looking to expanding our intellectual database on life, that does not fit in our ‘known’ world; is difficult. The adaptation of a multiple perspective in a diversified world allows for us to forego ego, pride, and/or fear affiliations. We must stop this madness, or become victims of its demise. Yet, we  have the audacity to repeat this verse -1 Cor. 2:9 - However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him. However, this is difficult to do when you will not let go on the mindset of this is the way it always been and it works, why fix it. However, if it does not help those it was meant to help, or reach those you are trying to reach, then it does not work it is no longer relevant or revelational. The verse says, you have not conceive it in your mind, thus it is an unknown, but faith, god-nudges, and God’s word allows you to go into the unknown trusting God will reveal all in His time, not yours, and it will be bananas, phenomenal, showers of blessings, etc. For God uses all things to speak to His people, and it does not always come in the fashion, package we desire, but what gets our attention.

Getting unstuck is difficult but wholly necessary for progress, success, accomplishments, and fulfilling our destiny…So, the next time you are stuck, read these verses -  

Ps. 119:133- Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.-  not my way, but God’s way.

Deuteronomy 31:6- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Daniel 2:21-22 - “Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.  He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Releasing emotional attachments, and seeking what is right

Rom. 1:14-15 - I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome (NIV)…

We can't continue to only agree with who we like, who agrees with our position or emotional triggers, or reach out to those who align with us but we must reach across the aisle for the best outcome for the whole body.  We should agree with the right position, not connection or what we have the right to do, or on our side. It is self-destructive and self-defeating. No one has ever grown, developed, transformed, or achieved by not willing to seek right and move outside of their comfort zone. They may receive celebrity status but yet crippled psychologically, emotionally, or spiritually.  They are stunted and remain in the place where they stopped growing; look and see its all around you; until the work is gone back to repair, deal with it, it is the monkey on the back that breaks us.  The reason God said, come as you are, not wait until you are closer to getting it right; He knows you, me or us can't do it by our self. 

See, God entertains questions, for He knows the questions are not just about the questions but also the questioner. If you fail to address the questioner, you fail to address the question.  The reason He answered with parables and/or another question.  He understood it was more than the question in words being asked. The question had to come from somewhere, it was not idle chatter, inane questions, just because who, or where it comes from; out the mouth of the babes truth speaks, so truth, revelation can come from those we think of as clowns; they could be the clowns of God to teach us, not hinder us.  So, seek to release the emotional attachments that connect you and box you in, impeding your sustaining growth.   Seek after what is right, what provides legacy and move you beyond legendary in this life because legends are greater but legacy leaves something to build upon. However, legacy comes from a unselfish place where the things done affect others, and the person is not infected by the chaos around them. ..It is tight, it difficult, at times lonely, but it is right…  It is your choice, choose wisely…Its important...

Is it control or submission?

Eph. 5:22-24 - Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives and Husbands Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  (NIV)

Control or submission is the issue and question here. Why? This verse has been the bane of many women existence. However, the problem as occurred because we don’t get this truth of this verse Acts. 20:35 - In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” - keying in on its more blessed to give than to receive. The more likely than not, the struggle with submitting to the husband or anyone else, is this - we intrinsically know, innate sense about a person, they are asking for what they have not given. Therefore, when you have submitted, you get it. You begin ‘to see’ it is not about control, and realized it is about humility, not arrogant pride that cripples us. Then, we can let God fight our battles, prepare the table before us in the presence of our enemies, and be still and know He is God.

We cannot do this in our relationships, when we do not.  It does not matter what kind of relationship it s, we are creating mêlée when we do not ‘get it’ because we desire control. When you truly understand what control, being in power means, we are overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of it. For it takes us to task with every decision, because it is not emotional driven, not a flash in the pan grab an issue and go, but rather it is discovered it is the about staying the course. Staying the course and doing what is right, not what we have the right to do for it is predicated by our emotional laden egos. The tears roll down knowing one must do, what is seen as a sacrifice for the future greater good, but there is a presence hurt one cannot explain because it is out of the cultural norm to do.

See when we learn, we do not get, what we are unwilling to give; then we shall see changes morph in our lives and those around us. Yes Virginia, we must be open to the experience of not being in control and trusting in God’s will and way. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not speaking about the religious zealot, or being spiritual bigot, rather I am speaking of this example in the bible illustrated in this verse by Peter Acts 11:8-10 - “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. Know this not just about Peter eating food, it about willingness to submit to be the true leader God called him out to be; live his destiny. He had to let go of those prefabricated perceptions that boxed him in, to see the true meaning of leading, having power….smiling..By doing so, his action showed us how to accurately embrace this verse, we far many times quote, but not willing to implement into our lives in the godly sense - 1 Cor. 2:9-10 - However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him “but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. None of this happens without submitting, not holding fast to this thing called ‘control’ because it base on our fear, not faith.  

This is applicable to the non-secular world as well the secular world. See godly principles, percepts are universal, not limited to non-secular, or some things but all things…Learn to submit and see. No one is saying be a pushover Christ submitted and yet had the power to lead, but he had to submit first. Choose this day, and choose wisely…It’s important.