8-16-11


8-16-11

Speaking of confessing my sins, there was something disturbing that hit me tonight.  I was looking at my children and observed to myself how they are unwilling to be obedient.  I heard Kirk Duncan talking to me in my head and he said, ‘The reason your children are not obeying you is because they don’t trust you; you lack a trusting relationship with them.  Relationships make everything better, especially obedience.’  The Spirit was trying to teach me patience as I thought about “Inspire, not require”.  I totally lack the leadership skills for this, but I am slowly learning.  My question is, How do I honestly evaluate the level of trust I have with my children?  Beating myself up about not having it will not help me get it.  So where am I and how do I get better?  After listening to Kirk Duncan, I feel the root of the answer lies in charity through true listening.  I am so self-absorbed most of the time that I do not truly listen to what others are saying as from their context, instead of mine.  How do I shut off my internal interference (static)?  I want to become better at this, but I am waiting for the Spirit to teach my heart so I can change slowly and permanently from the inside out.  One of the things I admire most about Kirk Duncan is his ability to believe in people.  No matter where they are, he’s sees them for their potential and understands their pain.  He does not judge their current circumstances; he listens and asks questions.  He keeps asking because he makes no final decisions. 



I thought of a cool context to share from today.  That when I finally get to the point of giving seminars like I have dreamed of all my life that I will give an intro like this:
Let me just start off today with a little bit about why I ‘m here, and why I’m not here.  I’m not here to tell you what to do or how YOU need to change your life.  That is between you and God.  I am here to live my mission, which part of it that I know is to share with others as I learn.  I am here to share with you because this was my dream as I was going through the pain.  The hope of being with you here today; the hope of being able to help someone because of the lessons I had learned and the pain I understand has been the source of motivation and the light to me in my darkness.  In part, I owe you my gratitude for being my hope.  But the real credit and glory belongs to the only one who can pull us out of our pit; the One who is mighty to save, even Jesus Christ.  It is because of Him, and only by Him, that I made it through.

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