Proverbs 6:9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
The relationship between myself and the owner of the Company was still friendly, but my heart was no longer in what we were doing. I was looking for a way out and was considering many options. In the end, I left without a job to go to, and to be honest it was a confusing time. I had joined the business excited and passionate to help them and believing I had the skills and experience to make a difference.
On reflection though, this was my first senior role where I was not the technical expert in the operation or product. I put too much effort into trying to become a technical expert, thinking that was the only way I could lead. On reflection, I was learning through setbacks that I could lead through influence and not just expertise. It was a lesson that would help me in the years ahead.
So now I woke up the next morning with no job to go to, no income for that week or weeks ahead and all the concerns that go with that. How will I traverse this season? I had to work out what benefits I could get from the government while I was searching for a job. And then sit in bleak, tired, and nondescript waiting rooms to fill in forms and be polite to the lady behind the Perspex screen, (who looked so disinterested).
I stayed 10 miles outside of town. The car had to go. I cycled into town each day and then home. I found a route through the forest to do that, which kept me safe and away from the craziness of the main road.
I discovered there was a national competition at the local radio station (where I volunteered and presented a Christian Radio show each week). The competition was for a 6-7 minute broadcast that would go out on Easter weekend.
I set to it and recruited those people who I could to help and we scripted a modern-day news report from the scene of the crucifixion, sound effects and all. I learned to cut, splice and edit on reel to reel. We presented it twice over the Easter weekend and we won a prize in the national competition. The radio station received $800 and they were delighted.
One of the people volunteering in the drama production passed my name to a friend (unbeknown to me), who passed my name to another friend, who called me and asked me to come for an interview. The next day I started a new job with a Company that would last several years and cover 8 different roles, starting hands-on and ending as a Director. I would learn to lead businesses through influence in these roles with a leader who saw something in me.
In my limited experience, if we will do what we can, God will do the marvellous.
KNOWLEDGE [warning – this next passage carries a challenge]
The bible says “For he says ‘in the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation”. [2 Corinthians 6:2]
There is a challenge that comes with Christianity. A call on our lives, not to delay. In seasons of quiet, we may rest when we should be preparing. Then suddenly the opportunity we have dreamed of appears, and drifts past us to another as we stumble around in panic, unprepared.
What is the call on your life, write it down. What are your core values, write them down. What steps do you need to take today – make a start. What issues need to be dealt with – find the support.
The onus is on me. I need to own it.
It’s not about me now, it never really was. The reason I am alive is so hidden in 2 Peter 3:9. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” [NIV]
Your mission, should you choose to accept it is, to go out each day and do all you can with everyone you know to bring people to repentance. Therefore your words and your life must come under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as a living sacrifice each day.
Listen to yourself for one normal day – how much of what you say is about you and what you are going through, and how much is about leading others to Christ. Don’t wait on your circumstances being perfect before you move towards the call on your life. Don’t say “one day……”. Start today.
This tape will self-destruct in five seconds……..
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The Hebrew word for “arise” is pronounced as “leb qamay” and appears one hundred and twenty-five times in the Old Testament. In the ESV this word is translated into English words such as, establish; arise; get up; erected, adversaries; confirm; remain; stand; attacks; and, perform.
Here in verse eight, there is the sense of movement, change, and rising being essential.
WISDOM – what talents has God given you and how are you excelling with these?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Maximiser explores the real struggles of life. See the skills, build on the best, harden the horizon. Encourage excellence in what already exists.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [how long will you sleep there, with no motivation, no discipline and all your moral failings? When will you fulfil your dreams?]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to recognise the areas of my life that I need to rise up in. Thank you!
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