Honesty.
The temptation for this first post is to give you loads of links to read, videos to watch and songs to listen to and just jump right into our 'steps to take' to get there.
However, jumping right into the nice and tidy ‘steps’ is not the true first step. But I have to admit - the first real step, is the hardest because it requires enormous honesty. In order to cultivate a heart like Christ - a servant's heart - we need to first examine our own heart and identify the areas that cause us to stumble and fall. Here’s something to think about - Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges point out in their book, Lead Like Jesus, that there tend to be two big barriers to developing a servant's heart: Pride and Fear. My knee jerk reaction to those two words is "Oh, I'm good there". But when I get honest - I struggle with pride...every day. And fear? How many times a day I grab the reigns of control out of God's hands and think I can do better...and sometimes I do so in a spiritual context to make myself feel better about it.
Been there?
As we enter into this adventure together - and it will be an adventure as we seek to INVITE God to shake us up and rock our world...we're going to invite God to show us the parts of our heart, our mind, our spirit and our attitude that need to be transformed to reflect more of who He is and the person He longs for us to be.
The outcome? Well hopefully we're all going to look a lot more like Christ at the end of the month and not so we can say 'we did it!' but so that we can say, 'Look what God has done'. This is no small, piffy thing we're about to experience together. This isn't about just 'reading' a blog. It's about praying, studying, reflecting, sharing, being accountable and fueling the desire to be more like Christ. And if that's what we long for - to be more like Christ - it begins and ends with a servant's heart.
So this week, here are some things you can do to start the journey:
*Pray...ask God to lead this time for all of us and to use this technology for His glory
*Psalm 139:23-24 says, ”Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way of the everlasting.” Use this verse as a prayer this week and be open when God shows up in response to it.
*If Blanchard and Hodges are right then it would serve us well to reflect on pride and fear - familiarize yourself with what those words actually mean again and examine your heart, for real, and note where you struggle with one or both. And then confess and release that to God...as many times a day as necessary :)
*Read Matthew 20...and then listen for what God would have you take away from His word
*Lastly, and only if you’re comfortable doing so, post a comment and continue the conversation on what God is showing you or how He’s challenging you, submit a prayer or prayer request, let others know what you’re learning so we can learn from each other.
Yep...I tend to overrule God in my own life, thinking I can know how to do things better than He does. It's almost like I don't give Him a chance. But, when I do let God take over, the results have been nothing short of spectacular. I also struggle with fear and trusting that He will provide for me. He ALWAYS has provided and yet I still push Him away sometimes...
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's really hard to be Christ-like, at least for me. When you hear someone say we should be Christ-like, it seems easy enough, until someone wrongs you or God doesn't answer your all -important prayer instantaneously. I'm still learning how to let me pride and fear wash away but it's been an uphill battle.
Great first post!
I totally agree with Ray! It is much easier to say to be Christ-like, but then you have to deal with people and the Christ-like gets lost. The minute I start to think I am getting the hang of it is the minute pride enters in and I am pushed back to square one. Thanks for the first post. It is a great reminder to keep on trying.
ReplyDeleteBrandy
Sitting at the First Wednesday service last night I was reminded yet again how grateful I am for the amazing gift of grace God has shown me. Jim's message on communion was arresting in every good way it could be...and the sound of a church joined in prayer quite literally sent chills up my spine. Did it feel that way to you too?
ReplyDeleteI had a great reminder this week of what being a Christ follower looks like in human form. Several of us on the arts team lost a good friend to cancer this past Monday. Clark Rogers was an example of someone who lived for God and his life inspired so many. While his years were way too short here on earth - him impact for Christ was HUGE. The legacy he leaves is the kind we all hope for...he showed me it's possible. Being a 'Christ follower' starts with the heart and I'm grateful I had a model of that in Clark.
Kristina