Weekly Thought – December 12, 2017
Fred would be pleased to know his mentoring questions are helpful. He would want another shot at answering, but these quick shots give us insight into his mind and heart. Taking time as the year ends to think about these is time well spent.
Serious Contemplation
1) What does success mean to me? It is very important to correctly define success. Once I was included on a television program entitled “Successful Texans.” I felt the definition was much too narrow. I like to think of success involving our total being. I leave the recognition to others. When we think soberly of ourselves we find too much potential remaining to declare ourselves a total success. When Billy Weber once asked me to define success I said, “It is the ratio between gifts and talents given to gifts and talents used.”
2) Have I defined my non-negotiables? I was once offered a great opportunity by a well-known impresario to channel my life into entertainment. I refused for four reasons which would be decreased: 1) my self-respect 2) my relation with my family 3) better use of my talents and 4) my relation with God. It is good to remember that opportunity is not the same as mandate.
3) Do others see me as I see myself? Scripture says we should not think more of ourselves than we ought. I also believe we should not think less, for this demeans the Creator. I struggle with awards because in receiving them I am tempted to say, “If they really knew me they wouldn’t give this to me.” But I know God has given me gifts to develop and I do know I have committed to this. This also brings up my favorite definition of humility: “Not denying the power, but admitting it comes THROUGH you and not FROM you.”
4) What images do I want to project? The more transparent we are the more our image will express reality. I find nothing is more uncomfortable than supporting an image that is unreal. It alienates us from people by putting up a shield of fear because we are afraid they will find the difference between the reality and the image. Arrogance fights against transparency and promotes images.
5) What service am I giving to pay the rent on my space in life? I hope I am giving them the best service I have for the well-being of others. Sometimes they see my service in a way that is unlike the way I do. My prayer is always that the Lord will help me be useful to the family of God. I want my life to be helpful, even in confrontation. I am strong on contribution and making sure my life is on the giving side of the ledger.
This week think about: 1) How much have I thought about my non-negotiables? 2) Who could give me objective feedback on how others perceive me? 3) What comes to mind when I think of success?
Words of Wisdom: “This also brings up my favorite definition of humility: ‘Not denying the power, but admitting it comes THROUGH you and not FROM you.’”
Wisdom from the Word: “For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3 NET Bible)