Busy Building Kingdoms.

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of listening to a Catalyst Leader podcast (here) with Derwin Gray on high definition leadership. Did you know he was an NFL player and now he leads one of the fastest growing churches in America? I love that. Anyhow, I came away learning more about myself as a Christ follower then I did as a leader. I also learned that effective following is, in essence, the humility of leadership.

He posed a question at the start that both crushed and quenched my soul in one fell swoop.

...Is Jesus enough?

This stopped me in my tracks. Deer in the headlights stopped. Why? Because at the same time I was interrupted by this bombshell of a question, I was also trying to create a color coded list of tasks I needed to accomplish in the next 24 hours, eat my lunch, ponder the next steps of a project at work and listen to this podcast. It occurred to me that I am busy cluttering my life with getting ahead, and they're good things, but they aren't God things.

Don't get me wrong. The blessings of Christ are to be treasured. I love my new job, I absolutely adore my friends, I have a home to call my own, I get to travel often. But these gifts shouldn't fulfill me. If these things aren't rooted in Christ, they will always feel temporal. And, let's be honest here. I'm human, so of course these things validate my feelings sometimes. That's why people always want the  best thing, why we follow the next trending topic, why the approval of others seems to reassure us who we are. They're all good things. But, they're not necessarily God things. And when I seek approval outside of Jesus, it's almost as if to say..."I'mma let you finish God, but, [fill in the blank] is the greatest of all time." (I regret that I just made a Kanye West reference...I'm not keen on him, but I  digress.) There isn't a person, place or experience outside of His domain that will ever satisfy the human heart the way that only Christ can. He is enough. Sometimes, we miss that because we're about the business of building up our own kingdoms instead of his.

I listened with singular focus for the duration of the interview and pulled out another gem that was so conveniently mic-dropped near the end.

"What does it look like to follow Jesus? [That answer] allows me to lead [as a servant] from the overflow of His life and ministry."

In my own life, I've decided it takes on a few tangible forms.

First. Knowing Jesus.
I know, I know. Seems basic, huh? But, I can't very well lead like Jesus if I don't first understand who He is. He is the I am, and he is our friend but, as I spend more time in the Scriptures this year, I'm peeling away layers of God I've never seen before. Reading through Genesis and Exodus, I've seen His hand in the background of so many stories that I always read differently before.

Second. Decompartmentalize.
When I lose conscious awareness of my nature to put things in a checkbox or on a Google calendar alert, I forget that the Spirit inside of me and the Lord of my life take up all of the available space, no matter what I do, who I'm with, or where I go. My life isn't meant to be experienced as work life, home life, Church on Sunday life, family life, etc. Those are all obligations, but they all weave into the same tapestry of my life as a whole, where Jesus is ever-present.

Third. Old ways don't open new doors.
There was a time I was immersed in full-time ministry. It is the most challenging, humbling and beautiful thing I have ever been called to in my entire life. There are seasons to this day where my heart yearns for it. But, old ways won't open new doors. Regardless of the path the Lord would have me on or what that looks like, I have begun to shift my paradigm. Leadership is not equivocal to a seat at the table, or as Hamilton might say "being in the room where it happens." Leadership is simply loving Christ's church, i.e. his people. If I get that right, then whatever doors open are going to result in productive Kingdom work...because I'm not who I was. 

Leadership begins with humility in following the example of Christ. Let your character be rewarded and allow it to precede your spiritual gifts. It's a lesson I'll be ever chasing, but as He becomes greater, I concede to become less. In this way, Jesus can take his rightful place in my life. And He is enough for me. 

Footnote: Check out a song called "Presence, Power, Glory" by CitiPointe Live feat. Becky Lewis. It speaks to the throne of Jesus in our lives. And Becky Lewis' character precedes her phenomenal musical gift. 

New Adventures...new chapter!

Well, it's been a while - and I think it's time that I revive this blog. From now on, I will use this to periodically try and keep all of you up-to-date on my new life as a campus ministry plant team member. I moved this past weekend to Springfield, MO to work with Jeff Keely and Catherine Kraus from the CIA (Christians In Action) Tampa Ministry. We will be partnering with East Grand Church of Christ and working with students primarily from Missouri State University as well as Ozark Tech and Drury.

It had been a crazy few weeks getting ready to move. I started packing up my things from the temporary spare bedroom I was borrowing from two amazing sisters in our ministry, and headed to Orlando to say goodbye to my family; that was a hard few days...but, I plan to get them a webcam so they can learn how to Skype! (:  I went to Searcy to the Campus Ministry United conference and had a great weekend learning about how to be better equipped in ministry. It was also my last road trip with the Tampa ministry - well, at least our interns. It was quite an adventure - with no flat tires or blown gears this time. I got to spend time with all of them which was a really special weekend. I also got to celebrate six months with my boyfriend - and he took me on one last set of dates on Saturday. Although it was sad to say goodbye to him, Kelly and the others - complete with tears - I know that this is my God-given path and over time, God's peace has allowed me to focus on why I'm here.

I quit my job in Florida, in faith that I would find one in Springfield before I moved, but as of late, I have had several interviews, I don't have an offer yet. Please keep praying that I am able to start working again soon...not only to earn my living, but also because I'm ready to work again!! In the meantime, I am here and excited to go walk the campus tomorrow. Perhaps I can find some students doing orientation or something? (: We are having our first outing on Friday to see Batman: The Dark Knight Rises; Jeff is even driving over from Searcy (or as I say it "Seercy"). I'm very excited about that and I'm excited to put in my membership with the church here. They have such a loving body of Christ and I am looking forward to helping plant, develop and grow a college ministry here. (Go, make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded, Matthew 28)

Catherine and I are in the process of looking for a place to live, so please also be prayerful for that. Right now, we are blessed to be able to stay with a couple from the church. Being roommates should be exciting! Springfield is an awesome town with TONS of places to eat - PERFECT for a college ministry...they love food. I've loved driving around just familiarizing with the area...drivers are so much better here than in FL, but I do miss the beach! (;

This will be a way for you all to keep up with me; I am overwhelmed to have so much love in my life from Tampa, and I can't wait to develop those relationships here, too. Since I don't have time to message you each individually, check here from time to time. I am so blessed to have such amazing brothers and sisters in my life! Be praying for CMU and for our plant team to set this campus on fire for Christ! (:

Until next time...
"Lead, follow, or get out of the way" - Lynn Stringfellow aka "Pops"
(: