What Makes My Heart Sing?

When I was in Colorado last week, one of the pastors I met with asked me, so what is your sabbatical all about?  So I started with the question that I was asked to reflect on for our sabbatical grant, “What makes your heart sing?”

And for me my heart sings when I see people live most fully into their God-given potential.  When they are most fully themselves as God made them.  Which is great being I am a pastor who leads a church filled with people who commit to Love God and one another well as part of our covenant to one another.

The last few weeks I have been reflecting on how I need to show up to be the kind of leader whose heart sings when he sees those around him living most fully into their God-given design.  Here are just a few things that God has been stirring in me.

  • Celebrate: The other day I was reading through the book of Acts, and in Chapter 15 the disciples are gathering for what would be later called the Council of Jerusalem to discuss what to do with new Christians who are following God who are not converting from Judaism.  So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.  This group is about to discuss a potentially challenging issue, and before they dive into any conversation, they set the table by first celebrating how God is at work among them.  Even better it says that this gives them all great joy!!
  • Expect God to show up: This is a practical expression of Hope for me, believing that God can and will not only show up in big and small ways, but to be on the lookout and celebrate how God is at work already.
  • Encourage, encourage, encourage: I am learning in my own life that transformation is a slow and challenging process. I have been so blessed by those who have encouraged me along the way, and helped me to not only see but celebrate progress, growth and learning.  They have held in tension holding me accountable to what I give my word to, and encouraging me in my growth.
  • Model learning: Remember the whole transformation is hard work? I am seeking to better model grace to myself, as well as have a posture of being a curious person, seeking to grow, knowing that I don’t have all the answers.