Skip to main content

Hoarding or Helping

Many Christians have a "hoarding" mentality when it comes to the wisdom of others. It's the attitude of "I've got learn all I can from God and others so I can store this up for my own benefit". They buy every life application or devotional book on the shelf, but let them pile up in their office or home, and never think to lend them out to others.  If you've seen the show "Hoarders" then you know what I mean.  You know collecting too much stuff can become obsessive.  You know it can also become unhealthy.  This same idea relates to each of us and the wisdom we receive from God and others.  If all we ever do is take, take, take then we're only hoarding that wisdom for ourselves.  No one becomes wise on their own.  Each of us play an important role in helping to impart wisdom to others. It's a "give a little to get a little" mentality.  If we never share useful advice with others then we're only hoarding, not helping.


Some pastors never quote or give credit to others who've imparted wisdom to them.  They would never think of implementing an idea from another leader into their message on Sunday morning.  It would never even cross their minds to put a link to someone else's blog into their own blog.  


Because the journey to wisdom is an ongoing process for me, I'm going to choose to share things with others that inspire me.  Below, is one of Christine Caine's posts on "taking the next step". Such great advice in this post from her that I know will bless someone. If you don't already read her blog, you should! www.equipandempower.org, then click on blog to the right!



Just Take the Next Step

I have found that I am often overwhelmed by the enormity of a project when I look at it in its entirety. I see how much work is required over the long term, the potential obstacles and hurdles that may arise, and as a result can often end up paralyzed simply because it looks too big, too difficult, or too complex.
A simple key I have found that works for me time and time again is to break down the enormous challenge ahead of me into bite size, achievable, small steps. Then all I need to do is simply focus on the next one step I have to take. It does not have to be a big step...just the next one.
That next one phone call
That next one email
That next one conversation
That next one tension to manage
That next one function to attend
That next one sermon to write
That next one chapter to finish
That next one meeting to chair
When I do that next one step, I find I have the strength to take the next one step after that. If I try to imagine taking more than the next one I can easily lose perspective and give up all together.
Today, the best thing you can do is just keep putting one foot in front of the other and simply take the next step. If you keep doing that then you will find yourself able to climb any mountain you are facing.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Honoring God by Honoring Your Husband

While you’re dating someone, it’s easy to love the man you’re in a relationship with. You probably don’t notice all his flaws or the things that get under your skin and drive you insane.  You are probably blissfully unaware of how things, for many couples, will change once you exchange the rings. Once the “honeymoon” stage is over, reality sets in and then it starts.  It becomes harder to excuse certain behaviours or habits, harder to forgive, and sometimes even harder to love (in the form of a verb). Many wives begin to find themselves asking why they should honor their husband. Why should I forgive him over and over? Why should I boast about him in front of my friends? Why should I overlook his flaws and focus on the good? The answer becomes, “because that is what God does”.  The questions in our mind about whether or not to honor, respect, and submit to our husband becomes a question of whether or not we’re going to honor, respect, and submit to Jesus Christ. We ...

Surprise Birthday Weekend!

Many of you know that I received the BEST surprise this past Friday on my birthday. My mom and husband worked together for weeks planning a surprise trip to Canada. Not only was I surprised, but Olivia and Judah were surprised too! It was the best 4 days I've had in forever. Here's how it went down. Friday, like any other day, I dropped Olivia off at school, and went out to run some errands. Later that afternoon I took Judah with me to the grocery store, and when I got home Scott was already home. He had a few meetings during the day, so I asked him to come home early, so I wasn't surprised to see his car in the garage. However, when I walked into our house he almost ran into me coming out. He seemed shocked to see me, and then had this suspicious look on his face. I didn't think too much of it, and just walked into the house. I was carrying Judah though, and when he got far enough into our laundry room where he could see around the corner, he starting leaning out of...

Integrity

I'm going to do my best to write this post in love and not condemnation or criticism. I pray that my heart on this issue will be evident and not misunderstood for something else. I heard a great pastor say about a week ago while he was presenting the congregation with an uncomfortable message "receive this in love". I thought, "what a great way to say what you really think and get away with it b/c you've given the 'love' disclaimer!" But seriously, this has been on my heart for about a year now. I don't know if it's been God that's brought it further and further to the front of my mind in the last month or what, but I felt the need to share. So, receive this in love! Integrity. When most people hear this word they automatically think of the personal meaning of the word. If someone has integrity they have moral or ethical principles.  A more corporate definition of the word as it pertains to the Church or a church ministry is "the s...