Map Builders

(This one is odd, must be read twice. I thought about editing the writing, but I’m working on other stuff.)

I remember my step-dad teaching himself to lay concrete. I remember my brother teaching himself to re-tile our bathroom. He was 20 something.(Gami  is so cool. Google him. My sister too. She’s more of a leader than I will ever be. You can Google her too.) Today,  all 3 are very successful. Anyhow, I thought ‘how cool, we dont have to pay for labor.’

Now I realize that it wasnt the ‘labor’ skill as much as it was their desire to learn. Self learners…….hmm? Many times they lack formal training. They may even be called ‘unschooled.’ But they are very smart. So, where did these unschooled learners learn to the art of teaching themselves?

Self learners are what I call Map Builders. They build maps for the people they love. They keep records. They take great pleasure in sharing their experiences. They build with the future in mind. They are motivated by the win, the finished product, but mostly by desire. The thing that separates self learners from non learners is desire and necessity. Now you know.

Lewis and Clark with Sacagawea

Self learners:

1. Are Pensive -They spend huge amounts of time thinking. Not daydreaming, but mentally viewing situations from 4 lenses. Don’t be offended if in your presence they are quiet or develop this glazey, mischievious look. Young self-learners dont know how to control the time when this happens. Its not personal. Now you know

2. Have a strong immagination - The power to visiualize the near and far future.

3. Have strong egos and conscious of their identity -This is healthy and it’s strong, and hard to break. Probably due to a time when they didn’t have one or came close to loosing it. Once obtained it’s never surrendered.

4. Have a healthy competitive edge – Not towards others, but against themselves. A strong drive to be better. May be even a hint of ‘who cares’ attitude  (not rebellious or self destructive) rather that of accepting the consequences and or benifits of their own risks

5. Have touched the bottom- Hate it. Appreciate it, but never want to go back.

6. Study- Invest huge amount of hours studying, reflecting and mentally applying it to themselves, to their CURRENT SITUATIONS. They are movie directors in their own world. Extremely reflective. Like Solomon(the ant observer), they’ll learn something form everything and everyone.

7. Are innovative, because there’s always something new, or better- They purposely gravitate to new ways of doing things. Poverty has made them creative. They wont die poor. Now you know.

8 Are open to new ideas -They have the ability to consider others POV. They at least hear it with an open mind. Listening when their mind is made-up is just a waste of their time. If they are listening to you they are considering it. Once they figure out that its just not ‘right’, they may even inturupt you or change the subject. Now you know

9  Take a few steps in others shoes in order to understand them, and then quickly take the shoes off-They dont want to live in your shoes, just want see life from where you are. Either they want to get there too, or want to avoid it.

10 Can be borderline suspicious LOL, - well they hope for the best, and are ready for the worst.

11. Are aggressive when needed -They know how to play ’soft-ball’ and ‘hard-ball’

13 They accept the facts. they are experts at SELF evaluation – They want to be the first ones to pinpoint their faults and weaknesses. (search me oh God). They accept the mirror for what it is only because they adamantly believe in the power they posses to change it. Now you know.

Handling Fear (wink, wink) part 2

By ‘handling’, I don’t mean to cradle, rather a term used on the playground for dealing with bullies. (Wink, wink) Let’s handle this foe.

1. Personal Perspective – Stop, and look up!  Is your mental view factual or limited? Start by seeing yourself as God sees you. Think of the view both the worm and eagle have in common. Uuh, yeah! See what I mean.  Are you a worm or an eagle?  It’s liberating to view life as it could be; it’s even more liberating to finally rise above our limitations.

2. Prepared Arena – Growth opportunities come at ‘their’ right time. God’s time.  We may  not always be ready for them, but they are timed perfectly.  Handling fear is a precondition to growth. When God gets ready to deal with our fears we must understand that He has meticulously preplanned the stage. It’s like a fight. Before stepping onto the arena, a true contender has won the fight in his head. Trust that God will set you up to win and not fail. If you face off your fears with God, you are guaranteed the belt of victory.

3  Public Service – It helps to remember that there is always someone on the other side of your fear. Aside from building us up, God is trying to save the world. He came to seek and save. You’re not much good if you’re locked up by fear. Break free, because someone needs to hear your message. Someone needs your friendship. Someone needs your product. Someone needs your leadership. Someone needs your idea. Someone needs YOU!

?What are you afraid of?

Fear Exposed Part 1

 
Fear is the enemy of opportunity. Have you ever noticed the knee-jerk reaction you get whenever you are presented with a new opportunity or challenge? To shrink, stop or doubt. The opportunity could be an invitation to speak in public, a career change, a new leadership task or meeting new people. We never admit it is fear. Instead we may excuse our reaction with; “it’s not for me” “I don’t have time” or “I just don’t want to”. It is still always easier and more comfortable to stay where we are, isn’t it. I suspect that fear will attempt to pop up throughout our lives. Since it will keep doing its job, let’s do ours and expose it.

1. Fear is not an integral attribute of your design. 

Though it may feel like it is a part of us,  we were not created with fear. We were created in the image of God. Last time I read the bible, God pretty much always conquers. He repeats Himself several times: Do not fear. Do not fear. Instead  we are to be like Him! Powerful, and Confident.

2. Fear is an invisible enemy.

Fear is discreetly private with you.  Most of its conversations with you take place in the mind.  It hates interruptions and so works diligently to keep you silent. Its loud suggestions are convincing. It has inducing powers. Think about this question out loud: What am I afraid of?  Getting hurt.  Not being liked.  Failure.  Rejection? Talking out loud about this with God is very liberating.

3. Fear seeks to prevent the discovery of your greatest assets and gifts.

This enemy is afraid of your potential influence if you come out of yourself. If is afraid of your public speaking if you begin to speak. It is afraid of the powerful relationships you will forge if you become friendly. It is afraid of your leadership if you step out. It is afraid of the potential in your ideas, your service, and your message.  Fear is an expert at keeping you from discovering your strengths.

4. Fear keeps you from favor.

 It is probably strongest in the area of interpersonal arenas. There are 2 types of favor; favor from God and favor from man.  Fear creeps in to block access to the latter. Being afraid of people, afraid of their opinions and afraid of their power may cause you to behave weird, wrong, and wimpy. Let them meet the real you. You are a great person.

5. Fear wins twice: P & R.  P is for potential and R is for regret.

 Fear Parks your Potential and Reverses you destiny. Regret is a reversing action. It keeps you looking back, always wondering ‘What if?” Both gears keep a car from moving forward. At least in neutral the car is sensitive to the topography. Obliging fear cheats you twice; now and later.

Church Leaders: 10 Ways You Can Make a Difference in Your Church

1. Smile. It sets the atmosphere; an atmosphere of Joy. Speak positive words.  Avoid giving constant negative reports and constant complaints. This reflects poorly on your God and it will hurt your witness/testimony.

2. Slowly walk  through the crowd. Encourage the Sunday School teachers. Know the names of the children. Your interest in Sunday School demonstrates its importance in your church.

3. Always participate in worship. Dont spectate during worship. Sing every word. Dont allow any song to become ‘old’. Rethink of the words. People are watching you. Remember its an expression of what you do privately! (ouch)

4. Arrive early; for prayer, preparation, and people.  Joyfully place something in the offering plate. Come prepared. People learn from watching those they admire.

5. Listen expectantly to everything communicated from the stage. The worship leader, emcee, minister and pastor come to church ready to minister. Give them your undivided attention. Nod in active listening and participation. Come expecting, leave fulfilled.

6. Greet warmly and with open arms. Never leave a guest sitting alone and never walk past a guest without acknowledging them. By the time you see them in the sanctuary, they have probably walked  through the parking lot, hallways, or foyer. They will discover your genuineness before they figure out who you are.

7. Share your testimony. Always be ready to witness to someone. Try to establish more than a handshake; go for the connection.  Acknowledge those walking past you. Get out of the rut of speaking only to ‘your’ crowd. Your influence is at stake.

8. Be faithful and committed to church attendance. Never miss a church service. Other activities should be scheduled around the Sabbath. Remember the Sabbath and keep it a holy day.

9. Visit other weekly services such as youth, young adults,  or bible studies. Exhibit appreciation for every ministry that works to enlarge the kingdom of God, such as Cafe, Ushers, Security, Campus, children’s Ministry and Nursery.  Offer thanks, advice, or encouragement. They will feel protected and secure.

10. I’ll leave 10 open for your own! Leave your 10 here.

(Based on Diana Davis’ book)

Women of God who fight.

….than fight we will…..

Fasting has the power to  invigorate your fight. Unlike God’s good news; satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy us. First he wants to Steal our significance by getting us so wrapped up in our problems and circumstances that we stop pursuing our purpose. If he succeeds will be no threat to him at all. That’s why every attack of the enemy is designed to get our eyes off of Christ. FASTING GETS OUR EYES BACK ON GOD!!!…can I get an AMEN!

Secondly, our enemy wants to also Kill us. Not only spiritually, but even to the point of physical death. Thirdly, our enemy seeks to Destroy our relationships. Think about that each time any one of your relationships suffers any amount of strain. That toothless lion is prowling……..

I saw a Spartan movie recently. A scene comes to mind.

King Leonidas and his Spartans face the evil Persian army. An evil army so great in numbers, they cause the ground to shake as they march out to destroy Greece. When they meet at a narrow pass, between the rocks and the sea, the evil Persian king demands King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans to ‘surrender their weapons’ and kneel before him, or face sure death. Day and night evil messengers return demanding the same request on behalf of the evil Persian king! King Leonidas, gripping his shield all the more, shouts a thunderous…’COME AND GET THEM!’

His shout sends a chill up the enemy’s spine. Instantaneously, his 300 Spartans roared a loud ‘oorah’….and for 3 days they wage a valiant battle.

‘Come and get them’ was not so much an invitation to fight, rather a DECLARATION OF INTENT that we will not surrender, we will not bow, that if we have to fight; than fight we will!

What does your enemy want you to surrender? ….a ministry, a weapon, a disciple, a marriage, a dream, a child, your health, your purpose?…………..

‘But we are not of those that shrink back and are destroyed, but of those that believe and are saved’

‘God has taught our hands to battle and our fingers trained for war’

We are to be ‘more than conquerors’…..’using the whole armor and the sword of the spirit’…..knowing that Christ has

‘disarmed the powers and authorities, and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross’

So when the enemy ask for you to surrender something that’s not his……tell him to come and get it, because ‘surrender it’ we won’t.

Women of God- Be strong IN battle, grip your shield and sword all the more tighter, because there comes a time when a woman must fight!!!

Preparing in Singleness……Part 3

10 things you can do in the hidden chambers as you deal with the baggage.

1. Understand that God sets us up for healing. Sometimes you will be alone and other times surrounded by people who are called by God to help you; let them! So when the hurts begins to surface, accept it is as God’s timing.
2. Know God is in your darkness – not in our pity parties, but there when we are ready to be healed. This truth gives us initiative; when you realize that He feels your pain, understands it, and most of all will do anything to get it out of you; this gets you fired up about dealing with it.
3. Confront the issues – admit they exist. There is great power in listening to yourself really talk about how these offenses and hurts made you feel. Proud people don’t like to admit they are hurt. Therefore be humble. You don’t want to complain or gossip about hurts, rather you want to confess and find healing.
4. Nothing beautifies like release and confession. Find a woman of God who you can talk to freely and very openly about your sin. This is biblical, and there is nothing quite like it. It’s like turning on the lights in a dark room; the roaches scatter…Turn on the light in your heart. Remember open confession should not be complaining and gossip.
5. Most of the baggage you address today comes from your past; when you were not under God’s protection. Today we will still experience hurt and offenses. But these will not stick like the ones that caused issues and sin, because now we deal with hurts and offenses, biblicaly.
6. The hurts and offenses of today may come to teach us more about God’s character, and also to enlarge our capacity to love, forgive and serve mankind. Remember God will look at how we RESPOND to these new hurts and offenses. He knows that you were probably at no-fault.
7. Know the power of prayer. Fall in love with the Lord. Romance Him. Think of Him. Whisper to Him. Talk to Him. Look for scriptures. Read books. Practice new habits. Pray throughout the day at different times. Enjoy quietness. Don’t isolate yourself; surround yourself with church functions, sermon tapes, worship, and mentors. Turn off the T.V. Write in a journal.
8. Begin to pray for God to bring people and friendships into your life  who spiritually challenge you to grow deeper with God. Make yourself accountable to someone who has proven themselves in character and in their walk with God.
9. Determine in your heart to put your relationship with God before an earthly relationship. This helps you not to fall into temptation.
10. Learn to laugh. Get Joy! A happy heart is attractive….enjoy your life, it is unique, you are different, your process is unique, practice bringing  joy, laughter and happiness to others. Make others laugh…..Smile…this is attractive too!

(sorry, could not get this to double space….annoying. Iknow.)

Preparing in Singleness …Part 2

Baggage..yuk

These are a only few of the emotional issues we discuss in our young adult singles class. This is a long post. You may want to scroll down to find one that resonates with you. The material here is obviously in note format and does not address openly every scenario. Lots of questions come up during the class and we’re thankful that the word of God has the answers! Enjoy.

Which do you prefer?

Bitterness

Ah!,,.the mother of it all. The bible says this corrupts everything beautiful about us. It’s like spilled water that runs everywhere, pooling wherever it finds space. It swells up in us and causes roots of every other sort of sin. Every woman is very susceptible to this. Bitterness hinders love!

Signs of bitterness:

• Gossip and Slander – Talking about someone else’s shortcomings, repeating offenses.

• Ungrateful and Complaining –

• Motive Judger – Murmurs, is cynical about others motives, very suspicious of even nice actions.

• Self Centered – Spend too much time thinking about yourself, self absorbed, fixed on hurts done against you.

• Excessive Sorrow –  Grief and hurt crowd out joy, peace and love that you used to have. Its overwhelming.

• Vengeful – Payback, emotional manipulation, mean, plans to hurt, thoughtful planning.

• Brooding – Thinking about it often, playing it over and over in your mind.

• Joyless – No delight with the Lord, emotional pain, misery.

• Critical/Judgmental – Quick to mentally downsize someone else.

Bitterness grows when you think about the bad and hurtful things. Lie wake at night thinking about the hurt. Your feminine strength is gone. At this point no one can do anything right by you.

Bitterness will hurt your children. You need to be healed, to become kind, tender-hearted and forgiving.

Scriptures

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled…Hebrews 12:15-17

Do all things without grumbling or disputing…Philippians 2:14

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God….1 Corinthians 4:5

..do not merely look out for your own personal interest…Philippians 2:4

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone…Never take your own personal revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God…Romans 12:17,19

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered..1 Corinthians 13:5

And I shall delight in your commandments which I love. Psalm 119:47

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye…Matthew 7:5

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you!..” Ephesians  4:31-32.

Pride

Obadiah 1:2 Pride deceives your heart…It deceives us. It actually makes you believe that you are in control of your life. “I’m important and I can make things happen the way I want them to happen”.

Actually, pride makes you very susceptible to failure, by convincing you that you don’t need anyone.
You are either proud or humble…period. The opposite of pride is humility

• It is a hidden unteachable spirit

• Pride stems from fear…..that you have no real value and so must cover it up

• Prideful women…have a lot of secret issues

• You are freed from pride when you finally realize that God already knows who you really are, and that you have been deceived. No woman likes to be deceived. But you are if you are prideful.

• It is satan that blinds your eyes. He has his hands over the eyes of your heart so that you will never see your true condition.

• Humility causes you to run into the arms of Jesus for protection and forgiveness.

Lev 26:19-20   I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit.

Ps 31:23 Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.

Rebellion

A degree up from pride. ‘I’m going to do it no matter what God or anyone else says.”

• Rebellion is pride in ACTION.

• It is total opposition to God.

• Not open to correction.

• No trust in God

• No faith, no obedience. Stiff neck

Fear

“God is not able to keep me and all that I care about.” Fear is anticipating some threat, harm, or danger. It may not be a real danger, but we fear anyway.

• Sometimes our fear is irrational

• Causes anxiety

• Causes stupid behavior

• Fear keeps us from doing what will bless us.

Things that will bless you ……………..Fear says:

Making new friends……………………. Fear says “They may not like you”

Giving………………………………………. Fear says “You don’t have enough”

Loving……………………………… ………Fear says “No, you will be hurt”

Serve……………………………………..….Fear says “No, they may take advantage of you.”

Stepping Out………………………………Fear says “You will be rejected”

Be honest…………………………………..Fear says “No, they wont like you when they find out the real you”

• Fearful women always have their eyes on themselves.

• Put your focus on God

“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.” Psalm 107:13-14

Lust Monster

When lust enters us, it corrupts EVERYTHING beautiful about us. This includes our sexuality. God made our sexuality. In Genesis he said to the married couple “go for it, multiply.” Sex was God’s own unique idea, not satan’s. The only way satan could use sex against us is to assign the demon of lust to come inside us. Lust enters like poison, attacking our mind, heart, and body. It infects us. Everything pure becomes corrupt. And anytime lust wants to, it springs up and acts through us….HE NEEDS TO GET EVICTED!

Lust defined – Intense sinful, carnal longing that corrupts you and can lead to falling away from God; unbridled desire that controls you Lust enters us young, through exposures of pornographic images, movies, abuse, pre-mature experiences, etc…

• Lust says, “it doesn’t hurt to think about it’

• Lust makes us believe we are strong enough to never be tempted

• Lust attacks our low resistance areas.

• Lust says ‘this is fun, nothing serious”

• Lust makes you believe you ‘got this’, ‘I know what I’m doing”

• Lust causes IRREPARABLE damage.

The truth about lust….

Abstain from fleshly lust which war against THE SOUL…1 Peter 2:11

The only way to keep your way pure is to hide Gods word inside you…Psalm 119:11

“She who trusts in her own heart is a FOOL, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered. “…Proverbs 28;26

The truth is God knows!

The truth is that lust is too strong for human flesh to resist!

The truth is that satan is serious about destruction!

The truth is that you are under the influence of lust and it deceives you, so you don’t know what you are really doing!

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a woman commits are outside her body, but she who sins sexually sins against her own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

Be holy for I am holy and you are my daughter…take after me….I created you a royal woman

Low Self Worth or Esteem

Accepting lies about yourself. You give people the right to treat you a certain way, by the self perception you have of yourself.

Lies you believe about yourself. Some times they are passed on to us by people. Remember these are not things we say out loud…..that would be crazy. But just as crazy as that is, if you listen to your thoughts, many times this is what you are saying to yourself.

• I don’t have what it takes. I’ll never have it.
• Compared to others (worlds standards) I’m not worth it
• I’ll never change
• I’m so stupid
• I made a mess of my life, its too late
• I’m not enough
• I deserved it
• I just cant, I wasn’t born with it
• It’s for someone else, not me

These cause insecurities in us. They also cause dependent attitudes.

Lets see what God has to say:

Isaiah 49:1 Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Ephesians 2:10..look it up

Psalm 139:13-14… look it up

Philippians 2:13…this is a great one, look it up

Philippians 1:6…..look it up

Anger

Happens when we are let down, disappointed, hurt. It deceives us into believing we have the RIGHT to be angry. The enemy of our soul tempts us to response to anger as it being  justified. When in fact, “vengeance is mine says the Lord”. God looks at how we respond to unfair treatment.

Proverbs 14,   Proverbs 25,   Proverbs 30:33,   Proverbs 15:18

• It’s not the one who hurt you but the work of the enemy.

• The enemy desires to keep you angry, he helps you to not let it go

• Nurturing anger grieves the Holy Spirit, and makes it hard to pray

• Jesus got angry, but didn’t sin. Can you handle anger?

Many women try to repress anger. This only takes away a womans natural gentleness.

“Women like this usually take on a certain, thin, stern look. They appear stony and tired. It’s as though their girlish spirit and soft, womanly charm have been sucked out with a straw. Let it out. Let it go. And lighten up! Rather than playing Madea or the victim, take a new role.”

Remember its not the one who hurt you, BUT the work of the enemy. Remind yourself of your REAL enemy.

in closing….

Aside from enjoying spa-like teatments for an ENTIRE year, I wonder what issues, if any, Esther had to work through. There she was in the secret chambers, transforming into the queen God had called her to be.

God does the same to us. His word says that He is not willing to cause us shame or humiliation…aren’t you glad that He so patiently and lovingly deals with us in secret. He is your healer, and counselor.

Preparing in Singleness…part 1

Esther was an orphan who was adopted by her uncle. As a young woman she was taken from her home to become either queen or part of a harem. Esther was separated from her family and town. Imagine the effects of these two displacements.

She entered the chambers to be prepared and trained for an entire year. She was under the care of a eunuch.  From separation to coronation she learned to trust his advice. The day she met her king for the first time, she was fully prepared. She was prepared in mind, body, and soul.

After a year of being instructed by the eunuch, she was presented to the king. She didn’t look down. She walked tall. She looked gentle. She looked approachable. There was a newness and innocence in her face.  She carried a natural spirit of obedience and dignity.

During her beauty treatments and personal coaching, she learned to be a queen. To think as a queen. To walk and talk as a queen. Mostly, she learned about the king; king Xerxes. But she also learned about her eternal King and primary King of her heart. She became fit for Him.

In our lives too, we can experience this. As handmaidens unto the Lord we can choose to separate ourselves from the world.  To be healed, to learn and find true love FIRST in Him.

‘Preparing in Singleness’ means that if you’re single, you can prepare NOW to be that godly wife, while remaining pure.

(in this post I capitalize Him or King when refering to my God.

I saw a wife……….part 1

She was a young girl with daddy issues. She met a guy. She got pregnant. In her heart she wanted something better than what she saw at home. But without Christ it’s impossible. Only He breaks chains. She tried to change him. She could not understand his ways. Her expectations were crushing his spirit. I would tell her that Christ needs to be in the middle of every relationship. She would cry…but not change. We prayed and waited for the day when she would give her heart to Jesus.

If only she knew that men love different than women,

If only she knew that he was working on a dream,

If only she knew that it was for her,

If only she knew that God would meet her unmet needs,

If only she knew that she was destroying her covering,

If only she knew that her unborn child would relive their tragic story with his/her spouse,

If only she knew that he wanted to be great and awesome for her,

If only she knew that it’s only God who teaches a man,

If only she knew that men think differently than women,

If only she knew that men are really simple,

If only she knew that every time she stepped in she weakened him,

If only she knew what he meant to God,

If only she understood that growth and progress takes a lifetime and is not instant,

If only she knew his achievement depended on her loyal support and admiration,

If only she understood the power of her hands, her words, and her gaze,

If she had not demand his affection, time and contribution, he wouldn’t have felt useless,

If only she understood a man’s drive and his motivation for living,

If she could have just esteemed him anyway,

If she would have kept God in the center of her heart,

…………he’d still be her man and she’d be his queen. Her unborn child could have had a legacy. God would have paid her back a hundred fold. And all her dreams come true…….

Impatience=not being able to remain in your position while difficulties weigh upon you. Impatience blinds you to the potential future. Patience lets you see that this is only temporary. Are you a wife that hurts today? God can give you the supernatural endurance and gift of grace you need today. When you can’t, God will. Ask him for a special touch. He believes in you both.

The Making of a High Caliber Leader

I woke up one day with a word in my head. The word was caliber.

Some of my disciples were experiencing circumstances that required more strength than they possessed(at that time).I love these disciples. So I began to question God and perhaps wished that I could take away these experiences.

Navy Seals in training. Their training is proportional to their future tasks.

CALIBER: the degree of our excellence, our distinction, our worth, our capacity.

God made us in His image; wonderful, powerful and beautiful. We carry in us the breath of God. Wow! Our caliber has been there from birth. I started to think about what God had in mind for my disciples.  Was He somehow working to unearth high caliber?

This God-given high caliber though,  lays dormant, and sometimes undiscovered until a Paul comes along, willing to invest a lot of time, as he excavates it.

I went to the book of  II Timothy.  I learned the following about the leadership relationship Timothy shared with Paul.  Timothy:

• was young when Paul met him, between 12 and 16.
• had melancholic tendencies.
• was too tolerant, partial and intimidated by grown ups or people of rank.
• showed an irritable weakness when people opposed him or bugged him.
• tended to rely on old spiritual experiences rather than ‘kindling the flame’ of daily devotion with God.

Paul worked to develop a high caliber disciple in Timothy by:

• Making it his business to correct Timothy’s timid nature and replace the soft character with steel.
• Leading him into experiences and hardships that toughened his character
• Not hesitating to assign him tasks way beyond his abilities or strengths.
• Exposing him to other great men of character and faith who would teach him to face challenges with a triumphant outlook.
• Stretching him to try the impossible.
• Pressing on him the responsibility of training others to lead.
• Placing high standards and at times heavy demands needed to bring out the best in Timothy.

This strategy saved Timothy from a life of mediocrity. God used Paul to developed competence and confidence in Timothy. He was training Timothy to succeed and surpass him.

So if your leader or circumstances don’t make sense, and you are very uncomfortable, perhaps God is building higher caliber in you.  It all looks different now that you know, doesn’t it?