Weekly Thought – March 29, 2016
Fred’s book, Learning to Lead was published by Christianity Today, Inc. in 1986. Although out of print, the wisdom continues to challenge generations of leaders. We will be drawing from the well of these writings to inspire and motivate.
The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute allows us to meet, mentor, and befriend men and women on Christian college and university campuses. It is with great joy we undertake this work. Thank you for your continual support.
Consistent Living
I often speak at Christian retreats. Sometimes I feel like there are those who attend with the sole purpose of fulfilling their spiritual obligations. I get the mental picture of children who are not allowed to leave the table until they have eaten their spinach. Finally, with a grimace they gulp it all down at one time, then beat a hasty exit from the table.
For two or three days, the participants talk about their faith. But if you say, “Hey, fellas, this is great, why don’t we get together every weekend and do this?” “Uh, NO,” would be the embarrassed but automatic response.
A mature faith is homogenized, not sectionalized. I am very impressed with one church which created a program called “Growth.” They meet one Saturday each month and lay people get to consider their whole lives, not just the “religious” part. Some of their topics have been: investments, ambition and office politics, family discipline, decision making. At other times they talk frankly about money, not just whether tithing is gross or net! In developing these programs the church is acknowledging that our faith is fully integrated into all of life.
Another key area of integration is our relationship with non-believers. As Christians we shouldn’t be antagonistic. We should seek to find commonalities rather than continually pointing out the differences. We just seek to draw close, not move away into our little holy huddles. In being transformed by the renewing of our minds, we are called to freedom in Christ. Our lives are to be redemptive, not vindictive.
A major part of that is the way we live with Christ at the center, not as an add-on. When we set redemption as a goal we strive to demonstrate victory over death. The fully integrated Christian lives a resurrection life. This is maturity.
This week think about: 1) How integrated is my life? 2) How strong a thread is my faith in my life? 3) What can I do to experience freedom in Christ?
Words of Wisdom: “A mature faith is homogenized, not sectionalized.”
Wisdom from the Word: “Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God.” (Hebrews 6:1 NET Bible)