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MAke the Most of the Opportunities
MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITIES
The Apostle Paul encouraged early Christians to “make the most of the opportunities because the days are evil.” This is not a stray thought in the Bible. The idea of stewardship meets us frequently.
This week our Planning Team spent the better part of two days thinking, praying, talking about our congregation and whether or not we are making the most of our opportunities.
Find some time yourself this weekend or next week, set a date with yourself, to do the same about your life.
We worked through the following.
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AN OLD TOOL
You may have heard about, you may have used already, an old thinking tool called a S.W.O.T. Analysis. It stands for:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Strengths and weaknesses are internal. Opportunities and threats are external.
Of course you should accent and maximize your strengths. Go with your good suit.
You have to decide if you can improve on your weaknesses. Sometimes you can; other times you just have to steer clear of situations that would call for them.
Are there some things going on around you on which you could capitalize? Should you? (Opportunities)
Are there some things going around you that could cause you damage? What can you do to protect yourself? (Threats)
Think these things through in regard to your spiritual life, your family, your occupation, our congregation.
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CONCENTRATION
Consider the very most important things in your life. What are they? What should they be? Rank them.
Now look at your calendar. How does your calendar reflect your priorities?
Where is your life concentration?
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STOP IT
Somewhere in cyber space is a funny clip of Bob Newhart portraying a psychologist who cures people with two words, “STOP IT.”
Funny bit.
But on target too.
We should regularly think about what we ought to eliminate from our life, our family, our calendar, our congregation.
You cannot do it all. You cannot have it all.
Spend some time thinking about what you could STOP doing so that you would be in a better position to make the most of the opportunities and responsibilities God gives you.
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INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
How often do people kid about how easy this or that would be if it weren’t for the people?
But of course, people are the center piece of God’s creation. People are the reason for all the other stuff God made.
And remember how much trouble God went through in Jesus to work things out for people! God loves people. All people.
He calls us to do the same.
I have had a number of people—Planning Team, men’s group, leaders, friends—read a book entitled Leadership and Self Deception. They have found it VERY helpful in dealing with people.
If you are involved in any endeavor that includes other people, I suggest you get and read this book.
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KEY BIBLE VERSE
Look up Philippians 1:9-11. This is the prayer that we studied in our Planning Team retreat. Spend a little time with this passage.
And when you are done, look also at Philippians 4:8.
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See you Sunday. We will begin The Truth Project in the adult/youth Bible class.
The 8:30 service will be in the Outdoor Worship Center.
Happy Father’s Day.