I recent Twitter post reads:
"Never let your ego prevent U from learning from others:
'Don't be too proud to take lessons. I'm not.' Golf great, Jack Nicklaus 74 today."
As a pastor and a leader, I am inspired and encouraged by this attitude!
Golf may not be your game, or mine. Would you believe I have never broken 100? But Learning, that is something we can each do.
You know, pride is a sneaky thing. Nicklaus said 'don't be too proud to take lessons'. He did not mention his pace of life, his schedule, family or work. He mentioned a huge, be-setting and often overlooked problem in each of us, our pride.
Most of us think of ourselves as reasonable, 'average', people. Neither too haughty, nor too lowly. We are certainly not proud! Who of us would say "I know everything that's important about church leadership", or "You cannot teach me anything new about pastoring a church". None of us or, at least, not me. There is your proof. I am not proud.
How quickly we dismiss the sin of pride by pointing to what we know, or what we do. But the insidious thing about sin is the way it creeps (think "Venom", from Spider Man comic books) into our being - mind, body, actions, thoughts, attitudes. It s-l-o-w-l-y finds its way into every synapse of our mind, even while we read our Bible, attend church, serve God and man and give tithes and offerings.
We demonstrate our pride in the ways we stubbornly, and sometimes unwittingly, cling to our past practices/approaches/functions - creative, administrative, leadership, mentoring, preparation, worship, relationships, etc.
This comes as no surprise, but if you and I are going to keep learning, it is going to take some effort. Maybe a lot. It may take a few dollars, a few hours, a few tears, frustration, anxiety. How many of us would say, "no thanks" right now? Remember the Golden Bear's approach, stay humble and take lessons. Find a mentor, push yourself. There is much to learn that you do not know. Much to see, much to do. Your Savior will reveal Himself as you cast your burdens upon Him. Remember, He cares for you.
Let's be life-long learners. Approaching each day with humility and dependence upon Jesus. He may use your training in one season in life and your brokenness in another. Let's make much of Jesus each day.
Whether you are learning anew or for the very first time, go hard and have fun! Fore...!
"Never let your ego prevent U from learning from others:
'Don't be too proud to take lessons. I'm not.' Golf great, Jack Nicklaus 74 today."
As a pastor and a leader, I am inspired and encouraged by this attitude!
Golf may not be your game, or mine. Would you believe I have never broken 100? But Learning, that is something we can each do.
You know, pride is a sneaky thing. Nicklaus said 'don't be too proud to take lessons'. He did not mention his pace of life, his schedule, family or work. He mentioned a huge, be-setting and often overlooked problem in each of us, our pride.
Most of us think of ourselves as reasonable, 'average', people. Neither too haughty, nor too lowly. We are certainly not proud! Who of us would say "I know everything that's important about church leadership", or "You cannot teach me anything new about pastoring a church". None of us or, at least, not me. There is your proof. I am not proud.
How quickly we dismiss the sin of pride by pointing to what we know, or what we do. But the insidious thing about sin is the way it creeps (think "Venom", from Spider Man comic books) into our being - mind, body, actions, thoughts, attitudes. It s-l-o-w-l-y finds its way into every synapse of our mind, even while we read our Bible, attend church, serve God and man and give tithes and offerings.
We demonstrate our pride in the ways we stubbornly, and sometimes unwittingly, cling to our past practices/approaches/functions - creative, administrative, leadership, mentoring, preparation, worship, relationships, etc.
This comes as no surprise, but if you and I are going to keep learning, it is going to take some effort. Maybe a lot. It may take a few dollars, a few hours, a few tears, frustration, anxiety. How many of us would say, "no thanks" right now? Remember the Golden Bear's approach, stay humble and take lessons. Find a mentor, push yourself. There is much to learn that you do not know. Much to see, much to do. Your Savior will reveal Himself as you cast your burdens upon Him. Remember, He cares for you.
Let's be life-long learners. Approaching each day with humility and dependence upon Jesus. He may use your training in one season in life and your brokenness in another. Let's make much of Jesus each day.
Whether you are learning anew or for the very first time, go hard and have fun! Fore...!