As I approached turning 50 last year, I began dreaming about what I would like to accomplish in the years ahead. This has led me to pray two new prayers:
1. In the next 20 years may I accomplish more than I have in the past 30 years. This means that God is going to have to multiply my capabilities since I can’t add hours to my day. I have already begun to see this request be granted by God.
2. May I have the wisdom of a 75 year-old and the strength of a 25 year-old. I heard a church leader say 17 years ago when I came to pastor Sweetwater River Church that I had wisdom beyond my years. I still want that. I also want to have the health, vitality and passion of a young adult.
The bottom line is that I want to finish strong in life, having done everything I could possibly do through the strength of God. I don’t believe my best days are behind me- they are still ahead of me.
Filed under: Discipleship, Leadership, Personal
Perhaps it would be good to understand wisdom in leading people includes being, “effective with PEOPLE, and efficient with THINGS!” I am constantly amazed at how easily folks in helping professions mistake efficiency with effectiveness. If I am only effective in clearing off my “to do” list when it comes to requirements of relationship, I will be in danger of losing the heart connection required for effective spiritual leadership. “Father, grant me not only the wisdom, strength, and efficiency of managing all the details of my day … enable me to grasp the power of taking the time for people to know they have my undivided attention as they share their heart and life!” AMEN. Good words, Frank. Keep on writing!