STANDPOINT360

It is an interesting question to think about – who is really worthy of your time and money? It’s not an arrogant question, it is a practical one with significant implications.

A good friend of mine, Joshua Brooks, was speaking at a family camp, and he posed this question. The context for the question was the extravagant act of pouring out on Jesus a resource that was the equivalent of year’s salary.
“A woman came in with a beautiful alabaster Jar of expensive perfume made from the essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his (Jesus) head. Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?” Mark 14: 3-6

The challenge was to ask each person to consider who they view as worthy of two of the most precious commodities we have; money and time.

So much of our thinking and actions related to money and time have to do with returns and results. The common leading questions are: “What am I getting out of this?”, “Is there a good return on investment?”, or “How will this benefit me and my future?”

While these questions do have value, there is an underlying focus that is much more important: Who or what am I going to give my life to? Who or what am I going to give time and money to?

Long ago I decided to give my life to a relationship with Jesus Christ. I did this because I really needed him. As time has gone on, I have learned that I am giving more and more of who I am because his is worthy and His love is life changing.

There are so many requests for my limited time. There is even competition within myself where I choose things that simply use up all of my time and find myself not connecting with Jesus, the one who loves me and knows me more than anyone else.

There are also so many requests for my limited money. From day to day living expenses to the tension between needs and wants. Each month priorities have to be adjusted to realities. The money that always brings me the most joy and fulfillment, is the money given to help other people because of all that Jesus has done for me.
My answer to Joshua’s question is that the most meaningful use of my time and money is always connected to my relationship with Jesus….because…He alone is worthy.

“For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:10 NLT

Bev and I have been married for nearly 37 years. We love each other, we enjoy being together. At the center of our relationship is the continuing belief that we love each other. This is reinforced when we kiss each other in front of our kids, or speak well of each other with our friends and family.

The continuing belief and the declaration of our love for each other saves and protects our marriage.

As I am serving, leading, counseling, consulting with other people; I have adopted the discipline of introducing Bev in conversation as soon as possible and, in that introduction, declaring my love and appreciation for her. I do this – because it reinforces and safeguards the love that we know, cherish and share in covenant commitment with each other. I do this because it bring me joy and delight.

Paul is saying something similar in Romans 10:10. The continuing belief in and declaration of our relationship with God provides the continuing basis for the life-saving work of Jesus Christ to be safeguarded in our lives every day.

Today, through Jesus Christ, I am in right standing with God. Even in writing those words “through Jesus Christ, I am in right standing with God”; I am encouraged in the very declaration of it. I am aware that I am saved. This brings more joy and delight into my life.

In my own strength, I know that I can’t do enough to be in “right standing with God.” The belief of the life-saving work of Jesus Christ and the life changing work of the Holy Spirit give me hope. The declaration of this, brings it to life in my words and actions today.

Today, I live as a saved person from myself and my own short comings. I live as a saved person in the midst of a world that is broken and hurting in so many ways. In humility and confidence, I can connect with the world as one who is in “right standing with God” because of all that God has done for me. What a privilege to share this with the world.

Thank You God, for Your life-giving word.

Dear Jesus,

This morning I am working hard at just meeting with you. I get so distracted so easily. Thank you for waiting so patiently to be with me as, I, like a squirmy child, try to settle in.

As a grandfather, I see my grandchildren squirrel around, and I watch their parents try to manage all that energy. What do I do? Sometimes I just smile or even laugh. If it seems appropriate, I help. At other times I contribute to the energy of the grandkids (to the parents’ frustrated delight).

I wonder, is that what you do with me? Do you treasure the relationship so much that you enter into it right where I am at? It is amazing to think, that you, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, the three in one, would enter into my world in such a way.

The truth is, I am living in your world. The one you created. Yet, you come into the world that you created, all the way into my little space, and you dwell with me. You are there when I do focus on just you. You are there when I am hopelessly distracted by every other thing that comes by me.

Thank you Almighty God for meeting me right here, this morning.

One of the challenges I experience as a father and leader is the misperception that I am not approachable or not interested in the everyday happenings of the people I live and serve with. It appears that the way you overcome that misperception is that you keep entering in to my world by choice.

I don’t think I could approach you if you didn’t approach me first. You are sovereign, holy, righteous, pure, truth, love, grace, forgiveness, justice, mercy, and creator….and that is just the beginning. How could I every approach you? I have no right on my own. No standing on my own. I have fallen and stumbled in so many ways.
Thank you for coming to me. Thank you for making it so easy for me to be able to come to you. Thank you for accepting me right where I am at, and then working with me from there. Thank you for giving me the right to be in your presence. Thank you for giving me standing in your presence. It is all because of you and your continued pursuit of me that I am with you today.

Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your presence in my life today. Thank you for being with me this morning.

In Jesus name,

Amen

I am at my best with people when I am thoughtful. Thoughtfulness makes for healthier relationships and more effective results. Yet, the truth is, in the crush of production and responsibilities, this much-needed quality in life is often moved to the side, or even discarded.

In relationships, thoughtfulness simply means consideration for the needs of other people. Attention to others takes time. For some, it comes more naturally, but for most of us, it is a discipline that needs to be incorporated into our lives.

In results, thoughtfulness is about deliberative thinking. It answers questions like “How do we get from point A to B? How can this be done in a way that is the most helpful to everyone involved? How will results improve, if, before we act, we spend time thinking on the healthiest path forward?”

I serve as the Executive Director of Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center (WBC). The time came where we needed to update the property site plan with the government. As we started through the process, we learned that many people from different perspectives in our community and region had interest and passion about how the property would be developed over time.

We made a decision, that to this day, I am so grateful for. The simple decision was to be thoughtful, take our time, be considerate of others, and think through the healthiest path forward. We hoped, that with God’s help, we would get there together, with community, region and government.

This decision added significant time to the process. I will never forget the day when the WBC team was joined with representatives from the community and government to present a property development plan that had broad base support. It was something all of us did together. Good relationships and great results.

One of the key commitments to this outcome was a pace of thoughtfulness.

The bible talks about the value of considering the interests of others above our own interests. This was clearly the example of Jesus Christ. The book of Proverbs celebrates the role of wisdom, which is often the outcome of deliberative thinking.

Thoughtfulness has a pace. It takes time. Don’t be fooled by the impression that “this is slowing us down.” Thoughtfulness builds momentum and strength in both relationships and results that exceed expectations and provide healthier outcomes for the long run.

Would you like better relationships and healthier results? Consider adjusting your life to the pace of thoughtfulness.