Mercy and Grace
Mercy is "not getting what we do deserve."
Grace is "getting what we don't deserve."
We are supposed to extend both mercy and grace to those in our circles of interaction.
Most of us are better at mercy than we are at grace. Often times, simply biting our tongue or refraining from action results in mercy. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy. Mercy comes from the heart. Mercy takes self-control. Mercy is rooted in love. Ignoring bad behavior is not the same as mercy. Providing mercy requires that you at least acknowledge that someone deserves repercussions for their behavior.
We are also to extend grace to those in our circles. Providing grace to someone is more difficult because there is a personal cost involved. The other person benefits - when they don't deserve it! Grace steps in alongside someone and helps them in an arena where they fall short and cannot 'make the grade.' Grace requires that we invest in the other person. Grace is one-sided. Grace is costly. Grace isn't picky. Grace doesn't look at someone's position or influence. Grace doesn't look at deeds.
#5 Belief
This is the last in the series regarding my strengths as indicated by Tom Rath's Strengths Finder 2.0 assessment tool.
People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.
I believe that my faith in God and the principles that are taught through His Word are the reason that this strength appears in the Top 5. However, I know of mature believers who do not have this rank in their Top 5 and therefore believe it would be a mistake to think my faith is the only determining factor in this strength.
Recently the phrase has been crossing my mind: "The right thing is rarely the easy thing." Over the last few years, I've set aside times to spend evaluating what drives me. As a result, I have more consciously focused on making decisions that are values-driven more than anything else. Whether it is in the workplace, home life or personal journey, making values-driven decisions has not made life easier, but it has definitely made life more satisfying and fulfilling.
When The Big C Hits Home
This weekend it was announced that, due to financial issues in the church, my position was being eliminated. For more than five years I've grown to love the people of this church. I have prayed for you, tried to encourage you and also to challenge you to love God and love others.
This has been an interesting past few days: first being told the news on Friday and then having the privilege of performing not one, but two weddings over the weekend.
One of the weddings is for a couple that committed their lives to the Lord at the beginning of this year. In fact, one of the relatives told me of the incredible life-change that has taken place in the groom's life since then!
I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans in the twelfth chapter: “… his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2).
Generally speaking, none of us likes CHANGE - unless we are initiating and leading the change. (Even at that, there isn’t a guarantee.)
When change is imposed on us, we can fight it – which really results in fighting for control – or we can submit to it. I have learned to accept change, even though I do not always enjoy the process of change.
Our perspective to change means everything. I may have been serving in a particular local church body, but they have not been my master. My Master is in charge of changes and none of this has surprised him.
My Master has a plan that is “good”! It isn’t bad for you (us) and nothing could be better!
My Master has a plan that is “pleasing”! It will satisfy you (us) and provide contentment!
My Master has a plan that is “perfect”! Nothing you (we) can come up with will be better!
Yeah, I like change better when I’m in control, but it makes it easier (not easy) when I keep focused on seeing my master in control.
#4 Relator
Continuing the results of my Strengths Finder 2.0 evaluation, my fourth strength is that of "Relator."
People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
I have a great love for working on teams. There is incredible potential when people set aside personal agendas and work toward a common goal. John Maxwell used to say that "teamwork makes the dream work." How true it is. In fact, David says in Psa 133:1 that when unity is present, everyone wins. Unity requires that individual preferences and agendas are set aside for the greater good.
To use a very popular phrase: "We are better together!"
#3 Learner
This is Part Three looking at my results from the Strengths Finder assessment by Tom Rath.
My third highest ranked strength is that of "Learner."
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
It has been said that when you stop learning, you've started dying. I remember my college graduation like it was a long time ago... maybe 'cause it was! I do remember having the thought, "I'm done with the formal education system. For here on, it's the School of Hard Knocks." In recent years though, the idea of furthering my education has crept into my thinking occasionally. I lay down and it eventually goes away.
I do have a desire to continue to grow. I read books and attend conferences in an effort to learn more. I can count on one hand, and have fingers left over, the number of fiction books I've read in the past couple of decades. I used to read novels all the time, but I made a switch years ago to focus my reading on gaining information with the goal of personal growth.
I remember one of my kid's first grade teachers. She had been teaching for 30 years. I believe that she had taught one year, thirty times. It seemed that she hadn't made any significant shifts in her teaching methods, even some of the decorations she had in the class were yellowed with time.
I don't understand people that want to change for the sake of change, I also don't want to be caught in the 'how did we do it last year' mentality!
Growth requires learning!
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- RT @edyoung If we go r own way,we never get where we're going & we pay the fare.If we go God's way,we always get there & he pays the fare! 3 days ago
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