In a funk

Have you ever been in auto-pilot and known it was time to hit the "off switch" but had a hard time finding it? I've had this experience before... and here I am again. It's a surreal sensation. I don't know what has brought it on, or what it will take to shake it. I do know that God is doing something though and it's only a matter of time before I'm recognize what it is that He is up to. And that revelation will be the "off switch" to the auto-pilot.

The Right Task vs. The Right People

This morning, on his blog, Tony Morgan discussed the difference between two types of leaders:

This post stands out out to me because I have had the privilege of learning from and working for both types of leaders. And I have grown from working for both types of leaders.

Working for a “Right Task” leader I grew: · Insecure: I knew if I did not measure up – my job [and therefore my self-image] was at risk · Afraid of Failure · Overwhelmed: The harder I worked, the more capacity I appeared to have – and the more work I was expected to accomplish · Dependent: I stopped thinking for myself. Once while working for a right – task leader, I came back from lunch to be met with a lecture informing me that I had put my paper clips in the wrong spot and that I was not to move them around again b/c if I did, this person would not be able to find them. I was expected to make sure every detail of my work life was a mirror image of this leader. · Boring: I stopped problem solving. I resorted to the method I was allowed to use, and stopped trying to think outside the box. And unfortunately so did everyone else who worked for this leader. This led to poor health, low morale, insecurity and frustration for everyone. · Exhausted: No matter how hard I worked – it simply wasn’t enough.

Working for a “Right People” leader I grew: · In knowledge: I was excited and willing to learn new things · In creativity: I learned to think outside the box, to view “problems” from different angles & enjoyed looking for solutions. · In faith: As I learned new things and tried attacking issues from new angles – I learned to rely on God more, for ideas, creativity and follow-through. · In confidence: I began to see my strengths, my gifts, and my talents at work the way God intended them to be – and was able to grow confident in what He created me to do. · As a team member: I could see my role on the team – that I was valued – that I was a part of the team – but that I was not the entire team by myself. · In satisfaction: I loved my job. That satisfaction by-far outweighed any financial compensation and drove me to work harder and smarter. · Energized: Being valued, and having a chance to use my gifts and talents gave me energy and drive. I was excited to do my work, and to do it well.

I am very privileged to work for nothing but "Right People" leaders now. Whether it's my direct supervisor, or a pastor - my "chain of command" at LifePoint Church is completely comprised of "Right People" leaders who take the time to examine God's gifting in each person - and encourage and love team members as they grow into God's potential for them. And that is just one of the many reasons I absolutely love my job!

Facing The Giant

This spring, my 8 year old son, Jonah (#23) played his first season of tackle football. Never before in my "career" as a mom had I experienced the pride, anxiety, excitement, and trepidation that came with watching him play. See Jonah's a little guy. I mean little. He's about 3 inches shorter than most of his classmates, (don't tell him I told you this) and he's so skinny he could still fit into toddler clothes. But that didn't stop him from being willing to take on the world of tackle football! You can only imagine our surprise at that first practice when we realized that he was not the smallest child on the team. Jesse (#24), was even smaller than Jonah; by at least a good 3 inches.

This little guy was tiny. He wore the smallest size football pants possible. His knee pads acted more as shin guards (his thigh pads as knee pads). What's amazing though is that his height difference didn't slow him down. At practice he would be one of the first out on the field ready to roll. Then the first game came along. There's Jesse on the field, excited. Ready to see some action - and onto the field, comes the other team. And there standing just a few yards away from him - ready to demolish him is a kid who must have been nearly 5 feet tall. So now we're talking more than a foot taller than Jesse. This kid is the tallest kid in the division, and here's Jesse facing him head on. From the sidelines, I heard Coach ask him "You ready?" to which Jesse replied "I'm freakin' out in here guys!" and then the whistle blew.

The quarterback snapped the ball - and the game was in play. Jesse played hard. I mean hard. He stood strong against his giant. He didn't let his guard down. And he made history for that team. As the smallest (and one of the most adorable) players in the league - Jesse set the standard for his entire team.

He was afraid - but he didn't back down. His bravery, loyalty and commitment overruled his fear. He faced his opponent with determination to claim the victory. I don't remember the score of that game - but I can tell you - Jesse claimed the victory on that field when he refused to back down.

So what/who is the giant you're facing? How often do you think inside "I'm freakin' out in here guys!" and then what do you do with it? See fear is just an emotion. A feeling. Our feelings are not wrong - but how we act on them - that's what counts! So next time I'm faced with fear, anxiety, uncertainty or any other feeling - I'm going to choose to stand my ground. Stay strong and act with courage. Just like Jesse did. I'm going to claim the victory!