APRIL 21 & 22, 2007
In today's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I want to tell you about my yard. It isn't really a yard yet, but I want it to be one. I have a desire for some grass, flowers and bushes. I want it all now, but the transformation will take time, effort and some money too.
You see, all I have right now is mud. Lots of mud. Deep mud. Mud so tenacious and of such significance that my rented trencher nearly sunk to the middle of the earth. If I plant anything soon, it will drown! I decided to see the mud in a different way. Picture it like this: MUD stands for Modify Unrealistic Desires. All the mud at our new place means I can't have the garden yet. I rented the trencher too soon in the season. I've got to wait until the ground dries enough to be worked. Mud means I don't get what I want when I want it. Mud means I must take into account some obvious factors, take one step at a time and learn some patience.
I have to practice this same thinking here at church as well, for there are many things I want. All of my desires for Dayspring are good, but some are unrealistic and in need of modification. We can't get 80% of our adult attenders in growth groups, devote more than 10% of our annual budget to a well-developed missions strategy, or instantly launch a full-orbed support and recovery ministry with classes for every conceivable addiction and type of need - that is we can't do all these things right away. I desire to see all of the above, but it would be unrealistic to expect that everything I desire (and the list is long) will come instantly, by snapping my fingers.
No, like the landscape, transformation here will also take time, effort and funds. Vision doesn't materialize over night. We take steps toward the ends we desire, trying to be patient while we keep the passion! I will have a yard to mow this summer and we will have a church that is honoring God the Father by leading people to Jesus, his Son. In fact, we are halfway there and making progress!
You see, all I have right now is mud. Lots of mud. Deep mud. Mud so tenacious and of such significance that my rented trencher nearly sunk to the middle of the earth. If I plant anything soon, it will drown! I decided to see the mud in a different way. Picture it like this: MUD stands for Modify Unrealistic Desires. All the mud at our new place means I can't have the garden yet. I rented the trencher too soon in the season. I've got to wait until the ground dries enough to be worked. Mud means I don't get what I want when I want it. Mud means I must take into account some obvious factors, take one step at a time and learn some patience.
I have to practice this same thinking here at church as well, for there are many things I want. All of my desires for Dayspring are good, but some are unrealistic and in need of modification. We can't get 80% of our adult attenders in growth groups, devote more than 10% of our annual budget to a well-developed missions strategy, or instantly launch a full-orbed support and recovery ministry with classes for every conceivable addiction and type of need - that is we can't do all these things right away. I desire to see all of the above, but it would be unrealistic to expect that everything I desire (and the list is long) will come instantly, by snapping my fingers.
No, like the landscape, transformation here will also take time, effort and funds. Vision doesn't materialize over night. We take steps toward the ends we desire, trying to be patient while we keep the passion! I will have a yard to mow this summer and we will have a church that is honoring God the Father by leading people to Jesus, his Son. In fact, we are halfway there and making progress!
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