Seek to Understand

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn on the Texas Gulf Coast! Early morning is soooo exciting...yes, seriously! :) We don't have to drag the failures, setbacks and challenges of our yesterday's into this day - actually, I would strongly advise against it! No, the dawning of a new day represents the dawning of the opportunity for new hope, new opportunity, the chance to do things differently...if only will choose to do so! :)

On Wednesday I was listening to Focus on the Family. Their guest was Dr. Ed Stetzer. Ed is the executive director at the Billy Graham Center and is also the dean of the School of Mission, Ministry and Leadership at Wheaton College. Additionally, he is the interim pastor of Moody Bible Church and is the co-host of the radio show, Break Point This Week. He was on Focus on the Family to talk about being a Christian in today's society, a society filled with hate, anger, and divisiveness. He has recently written a book titled, "Christians in the Age of Outrage."

I don't think I really have to make the case for us living in an age of outrage. If you have watched TV, looked at your cell phone or interacted with another human being, I am pretty sure you know that there is a lot of outrage in the world today. I am not here this morning to make a case for any cause, to talk about who is right or wrong, etc. What I want to share briefly, what I want to talk about, is what our influence will be in this world we live in. It is a choice - our influence - and we will have an influence, either for good or bad.

Before going on I feel I must point you back to my inspiration for writing this Happy Friday. You can go to www.focusonthefamily.com and you can listen to the broadcast I heard on Wednesday. Ed has some absolutely incredible thoughts and insights.

In listening to the broadcast and then going back and reading the transcript of it, I want to boil this all down to two key takeaways.

1. Ed was sharing a story about one of the issues he outlines in his book, a controversy that is still raging in our country today, and he said, "You know, we should listen to the comments. We should listen to the concerns that [he says the name of the person here which would immediately alert you to the specific controversy. I have edited it because I believe this statement applies to every situation, issue & person] raises. I think there are important things that are actually being discussed. We should listen to why people are responding this way."

Novel concept, right? We should listen and try to understand why people are saying/doing what they are saying and doing. What would happen if we actually did that?

There is so much yelling and screaming going on that nobody hears what anyone else is saying. Look, I am not the brightest bulb on the scoreboard, however I know that I don't know everything. In fact, my perspective is very limited in scope. I have the perspective of, well, me. That's it! Unless I am talking to someone who has walked the exact same path I have walked in this life, with the relationships, experiences, trials, victories, etc., then there is something I can learn from everyone. I can learn their perspective, seek to understand their wants, worries and concerns. But I can't do that if all I am doing is telling them what they are doing wrong, how they should be doing it, what they should be thinking, etc.

I fully realize that I can't make you or anyone else do anything...and honestly, I don't want to. I have simply decided in my heart & mind that I am going to focus on relationships, getting to know people, genuinely caring about them and seeking to understand their thoughts, feelings & concerns. I know I won't agree with everyone and heck, I might not even like everyone - trust me, I know everyone won't like me! This doesn't mean that I can't try to understand them, their thoughts, feelings & concerns. That, the desire to understand, is completely up to me. Perhaps you will join me in this commitment too! :) (Remember, new day - new opportunity!)

2. The 2nd thing I want to share is a scripture that they shared during the radio broadcast on Wednesday. In a world full of thoughts, feelings & opinions, I believe it is wise to go back to the great book of instruction, the Bible, to seek truth. The scripture I am going to share is 2 Timothy 2: 22 - 26. It says,

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

Just a couple of quick things that hit me:
- "pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace" - Please notice, it does not say to pursue being right, having your way or getting your point across.

- "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." - 'Nough said!!! :)

- "must be kind to everyone" - Didn't say to those who agree with you, belong to your political party, are like you, etc. We are called to be kind to everyone. Our kindness is our choice and has nothing to do with the other person.

You and I have a choice each and every day as to how we will live this life. We are going to go through it one way or the other. The thing that we must decide this and every day is "What Will Your Influence Be?"

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev