Christ —the glorious pursuit

A 5C devotional on healthy leader development

“ The moment the Holy Spirit quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition. This is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the Kingdom of God. It is however, not an end but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart’s happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead. That is where we begin, I say, but where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the awful and mysterious depths of the Triune God neither limit nor end.”   A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom?  It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes. Romans 11:33-36, The Message

Exploring the unfathomable infinite riches of God is the adventure of a lifetime — an eternal lifetime!  What is exhilarating is that this pursuit is available now.   So, how about it?  Let's leave the comfort of the "Shire" and step out in the pursuit of the Holy. 

Challenging Assignment:
Explore the world — take a walk in the woods, climb a mountain.  What do you you take for granted — take pictures.  

Explore the macro-micro world — look through a telescope and microscope, wonder

Explore the world of music — listen to Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op.85, Adagio-Moderato, close your eyes and imagine the story

Explore the world of Art — take a tour through an art museum, sit and wonder — draw or paint something of your own.  

Explore the Book — read Ephesians 1-3 out loud and ask the Lord to flood your heart and illumine your mind.  journal your thoughts  

Competency — more than skill

A 5C devotional on healthy leader development

Competency defined is the ability to do something successfully or efficiently. It has to do with skill, knowledge and ability. To be competent means to be equipped and made adequate to fulfill God’s calling. Even as competency is important, competency does not operate in a vacuum. A person may be highly skilled but if he/she is not a team player the competent person can actually undermine the team. Competency is essential but if the competent person does not communicate, cooperate and is not committed to the team the team experiences a slow death. Grow your competencies as a team player. Use your competency to strengthen your team and train them in the 5Cs. (inspired by Robert E. Quinn, Deep Change - Discovering the Leader Within, chapter 13)

Challenging Assignment:

Go to 2 or more teammates and ask them to share with you a couple of areas they enjoy about being a teammate of yours and then ask them to share with you one area for you to improve in order to deepen your part on the team.  Listen to them and let it sink in, thank them and go deep in the rich soil of your community.