Challenges & Tools

 Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn! 😊

This week I want to share a couple of challenges and then put a couple of tools in the toolbox…

On Tuesday I had a post on Facebook that was a quote and a scripture…they both really resonated with me. I am going to share them with you, offer a few thoughts on each, and then throw down a couple of challenges!

The scripture I shared was this…

“A person who is pure of heart sees goodness and purity in everything; but a person whose own heart is evil and untrusting finds evil in everything, for his dirty mind and rebellious hear color all he sees and hears.” – Titus 1:15

 To give you a heads up with where this one is going, let me also share this scripture with you also…

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” – Luke 6: 41 – 45

I am not even going to waste your time by asking a whole bunch of questions, I am simply going to throw down a challenge for all of us. This weekend, I want to encourage us to spend some time searching our own hearts – no looking at or pointing the finger at what someone else is doing or not doing, just a pure-hearted look into our own hearts. If we are really brave perhaps, we will ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the areas where we are coming up short. It is so easy to find the faults and failures in others however you and I have control over no one but ourselves. Let’s look at our own hearts, make sure they are in the right place, and then honor the lives we are privileged to live by loving, caring for, and serving others as we are called to do! And how do we know if our hearts are in a good place? Simply look at the fruit! “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.” 😊

The quote I shared was this…

“What is intrinsic motivation? It’s living for the applause of nail-scarred hands. It’s giving God A-plus effort. It’s recognizing that potential is God’s gift to us and what we do with it is our gift to God. It’s not trying to be better than everyone else. It’s trying to be better than you were yesterday.” – Mark Batterson

That sentence, “It’s living for the applause of nail-scarred hands” hits my heart in a special way! Performing for an audience of One!

Here is the challenge I want to propose for all of us; every day for the next week, let’s strive with everything we’ve got to live up to all we were created to become. Let’s relentlessly pursue our potential! Please note, this has nothing to do with another person, any situation, or any circumstance…it is 100% up to you and I, individually. Let’s live that kind of life! Let’s not look to the left or to the right…let’s look dead in the mirror and honor that person! Makes me think of this quote:

“You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility.” – Zig Ziglar 

I also want to put a couple of tools in our toolboxes this week. I hope you find them helpful as you walk your path! 😊

“There’s so much I don’t know.

There’s so much I don’t understand.

There’s so much that grieves my spirit.

There’s so much that breaks my heart.

There’s so much I cannot do.

AND – There’s things I do know, and can do.

I know God is good and does good.

I know God is in control.

I know God loves the world & hasn’t forsaken it.

I know Jesus will work all things together for good – All things.

I know Jesus is the source of joy, peace, hope.

I know Jesus will never leave nor forsake us.

I know one day there will be no more tears, pain, suffering, death, trauma, injustice, war, famine.

Holding on tight to what I know, helps me to not drown in despair because of what I don’t know or understand.” – Christine Caine

Eight Characteristics of A Servant Leader 

Authenticity

Showing one’s true identity, intentions and motivations

Adhering to strong moral principles

Being true to oneself

Being open to learn from criticism

Having consistent behavior

Humility

Being stable and modest

Having a high self-awareness of one’s strengths and development needs

Having a humble attitude

Being open to new learning opportunities

Perceiving one’s talents and achievements in the right perspective

Focusing on others more than self

Compassion

Having empathy

Caring for others

Being kind

Forgiving mistakes

Accepting and appreciating others for who they are

Showing unconditional love towards others

Integrity

Being honest

Being fair

Having strong moral principles

Behaving ethically

Creating an ethical work climate

Listening

Having a deep commitment to listen actively and respectfully

Asking questions to create knowledge

Proving time for reflection and silence

Being conscious of what is unsaid

Altruism

Being selfless and oriented toward others

Having the desire to positively influence and help others in life by serving their needs consistently

Making a positive difference in people, organizations, and society

Accountability

Being responsible

Ensuring transparent practices

Holding others accountable and monitoring performance

Setting clear expectations in accordance with an individual’s capability

Courage

Being open to taking calculated risks

Standing up for what is morally right, despite negative adversaries

Having high ethical conduct

Source: Coetzar, M.F., Bussun, M. & Geldenhuys, M. (The functions of a servant leader)

Please never forget, Sweet Friends, the things we say and do influences all those we are privileged to have in our lives – for good or bad!

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, please do take the time to accept the challenges, please cherish your precious families, and please stay well! 😊

Kev