Marc Estes

One of the main comments I hear from people is that they feel inadequate. Don’t feel alone; even the great leader Moses faced this when God called him to lead Israel.

Moses felt inadequate; the Lord reminded him that he had everything he needed to fulfill his purpose. “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say’” (Exod. 4:10–12, TNIV). Who’d have thought that the guy who wrote the first five books of the Bible, who met God on the mountaintop, who parted the Red Sea would be a guy who felt inadequate?

In one sense, I guess the feeling of being inadequate can be a blessing in disguise, as we do need to totally depend on and trust in God for our strength, not becoming too confident in ourselves. But on the other hand, we must recognize that what God has called us to, He has also equipped us to do and expects us to fulfill. The Bible says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10, TNIV). We were created, given a purpose, and equipped with everything we need—in advance—to accomplish it.

Take a moment and reflect on how God has designed you.  What are you passionate about? Who put those passions in your life? How about your spiritual gifts or talents? Don’t you find it fascinating how God divinely orchestrated your entire life with all the intricate parts that have made you who you are? If you find yourself confused as to how God shaped you in these areas check out the seven assessment tests in my book, What Now.

God has given you everything you need to succeed. He has given you a fresh start on life; you are a new creation! He has given you His Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, direct, and challenge you. He has adorned you with supernatural faith to believe for the impossible. He has built into you God-ordained spiritual gifts, passions, and talents for fulfilling His purposes. He has planted a vision and dream in your heart to give you a future and a hope. He supplies all of your needs; God has given you everything you need to succeed.

It is time we stop focusing on our own weaknesses and begin focusing on God’s strengths.  He has already given us the grace we need to accomplish all He asks us to … despite our weaknesses and shortcomings. “Grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Eph. 4:7, TNIV).  You have been equipped to succeed. Everything you need to fuilfill your potential is within your reach. Run after it!

Before we even start our post discussion today,  pause for a moment and ask yourself these questions: “Do I love my local church?” “How passionately involved am I in both serving and supporting my local church?” Hopefully, these questions are more of an encouragement than an exhortation.

What if we were to ask Jesus the same questions today? “Jesus, do you love the Church?” Scripture answers that one quickly, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25, TNIV). Next question: ”Jesus, how passionately are you involved in serving and supporting the local church?” Again, Scripture answers, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25, TNIV).

It seems pretty clear. Jesus died for the church, and He also lives, always interceding, for her. Jesus loves the Church. As a young boy at the age of twelve, Jesus’ parents thought He was lost, so they went on a massive search to find him. Three days later they found Him. Where? In the Jewish Temple! He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49, TNIV). His answer states the obvious. Why would you even consider looking anywhere else but in the Temple?

On many occasions Jesus referred to the Church as His bride. I have been to many weddings in my life, perhaps hundreds. While the crowd stares at the beautiful bride walking down the aisle, my eyes are set on the groom. Oftentimes he is crying, overwhelmed with emotion, as the love of his life walks down the aisle to be presented to him. As an illustration to help us attempt to comprehend Christ’s love for the Church, God compares it to a man’s love for his bride. In his book, Stop Dating the Church, Joshua Harris says, “Is it possible that God didn’t get His inspiration for loving the church from marriage, but the one reason He created marriage was to illustrate His love for the church? God invented romance and pursuit and the promise of undying love between man and woman so that throughout our lives we could catch a faint glimmer of the intense love Christ has for those He died to save. What a passion He has for His church. The strongest argument I know for why you and I should love and care about the church is that Jesus does.”

Many interpret the passage of scripture in Ephesians 5:22–33 to be Jesus speaking about the Church (big ‘C’ Universal), and I would agree with them. But this must also be interpreted in context to the components that make up the big ‘C’ Church, which is the small ‘c’ local church. Jesus loves His Church, and He loves every local church. We are to love it the same!

Reasons Why We Need the Church

We are not only to love the church, but we really need the church! Rick Warren says, “A Christian without a church home is like an organ without a body, a sheep without a flock, or a child without a family. It is an unnatural state.”  Without a local church, our lives are incomplete. You may have needs that aren’t being met through your local church, but God intends for it to provide the following needs:

• An environment of spiritual growth.
• An atmosphere of God’s presence.
• A place to belong to a genuine community.
• A family to help meet your needs.
• A place of covering and protection.
• A place for accountability and safety.
• A place for wisdom, direction, and counsel.
• A place to make a difference.
• An opportunity to pour your life into others.
• A safe atmosphere to raise families.
• A place to give of finances, time, and energy.

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As 2009 comes to a close, it will definitely be marked as a year to remember.  We have been inundated with an onslaught of global pressures with little or no sign of relief.  Despite it all, God remains in charge and His plans to touch humanity will continue as planned. In the midst of all these external pressures that bombard us from every angle, it is imperative that we do not allow any of these external realities to derail us or distract from God’s ultimate purposes.

It is in times like these that we should be constantly assessing our lives and making any adjustments necessary to keep us going and growing in God. I don’t know about you, but I have come to the sobering conclusion that what has got me to where I am today, will get me to where God wants me tomorrow.  Life is not getting an easier, and the world in which I live and  am attempting to reach, is growing increasingly complex. There is a great need to grow continually in every area of my life and make sure that I don’t rise to the ‘level of incompetency’ in any area of my life.

The Apostle Paul lived a life with this conviction. He said, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” (Philippians 3:12-16 MSG)

If  the Apostle Paul needed to assess his life and make continueal changes to grow more in God, I am sure we might we might want to consider this important principle as well. As you leave 2009 and venture into the unkown of 2010,  ask yourself a few questions:

1.      Am I a growing leader?
2.      Do I know what areas of my life need further development?
3.      Do I have a strategy in which to assess each of these areas and develop an action plan for 2010?

At the top of my post, I embedded a simple chart I use to prayerfully consider the changes I need to make in my life. It is a habit for me to take some time in December to reflect back on the goals I set for myself and review my accomplishments and failures. I also take the time to analyze these six important areas of my life and list the goals that I would like to establish for the following  year.  You might consider doing the same. Here are some tips you might help you in getting started:

1.      Set some quality time aside during this month to assess your life.  This will take some considerable time, but it is worth the effort.
2.      Print out a copy of the “Personal Growth Goals” chart in this blog and be brutally honest in assessing the weaknesses in each area of your life.
3.      Prayerfully consider the changes that you would like to make to correct each of the areas of weakness in your life.
4.      Develop an action plan as to ‘how’ you will accomplish these changes.
5.      Insert these plans into your daily schedule. “Vision with implementation is fantasy.”
6.      Print out a copy that you can review and assess on a regular basis. I encourage you to review them weekly.
7.      Use these goals as a part of your personal devotion time, praying over each goal and asking for God’s divine assistance.

I hope 2010 will be the year where you have grown more as a leader than any other year. Please feel free to pass this on to  your friends and family.

In our previous posts in this series, we have discussed the process that Jesus used to develop leaders. This process was built on biblically-based purpose-driven relationships which then were expanded into a four-fold strategy which included; define the leader, discern the leader, develop the leader and lastly deploy the leader.

In our last post, I will discuss the final step of the process, “Deploying the Leader.”  This last step in the process in fulfilling your role is to equip others to do the work of ministry. The other three previous stages exist to make the deployment phase fruitful; this is the goal! Deployment is not just the releasing of someone into ministry, but insuring that they are able to reproduce themselves once released. This begins with you deciding what type of leader you are going to be.

A.   Three types of Christian leaders

• A Knowledge-oriented Christian leader – This group of leaders are driven by position more than purpose. They spend most of their time acquiring knowledge and build their value based more on what they know, versus what they do.

• A Doing-oriented Christian leader -  This group of leaders are very committed to doing the work of the ministry. They are relentless in making sure everything gets done, but do most of the work themselves. There is a little evidence of any successor or disciples in their lives.

• An Equipping-oriented Christian leader – This minority group understands that their primary purpose is to multiply themselves with the sole purpose of expanding the kingdom. They are not satisfied with doing the work of ministry, but are passionate about reproducing themselves into others.

B.    Multiplication is a God idea

Deployment must have the end goal of multiplication of the leader. The word multiply shows up in the first chapter of the Bible! It is a command established by God to man in the first of the nine covenants; the Edenic covenant. We then see this carried out throughout the Word to us. The command still applies and is still greatly needed. 

Genesis 1:28, “The God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on earth”

 

 C.    Multiplication is our mandate  

We have received the revelation and the promise, we now must accept the mandate! New Testament shows these principles. Look at the multiple generations of reproduction in these two verses.

Ephesians  4:11-13, “It was (1)he who gave some to be  (2)apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (3)to prepare God’s people for (4)works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things you have heard (1)me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to (2)reliable men who will also be qualified to (3)teach others”

 Let’s follow the example of Christ in multiplying those we deploy:

• Jesus spent more time with twelve men, than all of humanity combined! Make the deployment and reproduction of leaders in your life one of your highest priorities. Take the time to develop an action plan and incorporate into your regular schedule.

• Jesus method of multiplication was simple. As he spent time with his leaders, he was methodical to move them through the five stages of deployment. He prepared them, asked them to observe Him in real ministry situations. He then asked for their cooperation, then sent them out on their own. His final act was to deploy them at the point where He ascended unto heaven. You should be looking to raise others to the place where you can move forward in to your higher calling as well.

• We too, must spend our greatest energies on building reproducing leaders not just faithful followers. The question isn’t will our children have faith, but will our faith have children!” Once you have deployed the leaders you currently work with, pray that God will bring you the next batch. Happy building!

In our last three posts, we have discussed the process that Jesus used to develop leaders. This process was built on biblically-based purpose-driven relationships which then were expanded into a four-fold strategy which included; define the leader, discern the leader, develop the leader and lastly deploy the leader.

In this fourth post, I would like to discuss the second step of the process, “Developing the Leader.”  (sorry about the length, but it is worth the read)

Although this is one of the most important and time consuming steps in the process, it is impossible to give specifics to this part of the process as each leader and their development for a specific area of ministry widely varies. However, I will take some time to give you some tips to making the development process a success.

1.   Don’t be the lid

It is highly improbable, if not impossible to develop a leader beyond your own level of skill.  It is not uncommon for leaders to develop in an area of ministry based upon existing skills and gifting. However, when the ministry grows, the leader must also grow to avoid being the one who hinders the growth. Developing the discipline of personal growth is one of the most important attributes a leader can possess. (Philippians 3:12; Titus 2:7)

2.   Be real

One of the greatest attributes needed to develop leaders is to be transparent and honest. All leaders make mistakes.  A successful leader acknowledges their mistakes and learns from them. They also use past mistakes and experiences as tools to equip those they are leading.  A leader who is real and transparent with those they lead is someone that will be admired, respected and trusted. (1 Timothy 1:15; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:9)

3.    Be an example

The quickest way to develop a leader is to be an example to them. Setting the standard for excellence must first start with the teacher, not the student. There should never be an assignment given that you are unwilling to perform yourself.  Set the standard for work ethic, excellence, commitment, and follow through for your disciple. (Philippians 3:17; 1 Cor. 11:1)

4.   Be a good listener

Great leaders are great listeners. Listening to what is being said, and not said is an important part of developing leaders. When you allow them to share their ideas or concerns you reinforce their importance to you and the team.  Genuinely listen to the views and respond with promptly. People who feel belittled or ignored with also lose heart for the mentoring relationship as well as the ministry in which they serve. (James 1:19; Proverbs 10:19)

5.    Follow through

One of the greatest breakdowns of a mentoring relationship is the lack of follow through from the mentoring person. Much trust is placed on the promises made, appointments set, and vision shared. Make it your aim to follow through with your commitments to those you lead. Your word is your bond.  (2 Corinthians 1:17-18; 1 Timothy 3:11)

6.    Set defined expectations

People are down on what they are not up on.  People need clear objectives set before them if they are to achieve anything of value. Vision is never achieved accidentally, but through setting defined expectations for all who are involved. Potential leaders need definition. They need someone to assist them in defining specific growth objectives for their lives. The more specific you can be, the better chance you will have in shaping your disciple into a great leader.  (Exodus 35:1-2; Nehemiah 2:7)1

7.   Be quick to critique and confront

People will never be able to change their blind spots or weaknesses without giving honest feedback. Rarely will you find a leader that has all the necessary qualities and talents working perfectly in their life. They need coaching.  Most leaders avoid confrontation, simply because it is uncomfortable. However, if done properly it is a win-win situation for everyone involved. As a leader we do not have the privilege to be silent. We must be honest and truthful. We must share promptly in love. Learn to critique, confront and correct as a leader. (Proverbs 9:8-9; 10:7)

8.   Allow them to fail

Some of the greatest lessons learned in life come through our failures. Making mistakes have a tendency to get a person’s attention rapidly. It is in those moments that a leader can either build up or crush the person who has made the mistake.  A healthy culture of growth gives room for people to fail. Use failure as an opportunity to develop those you lead. (Mark 16:7; Luke 15:20)

9.    Release and empower

A leader will never reach their full potential unless they are empowered to do so. People become empowered when you provide them with three things; opportunity, freedom and security. Give opportunities to those you lead. Provide them the resources to accomplish the task and then give them the freedom to be creative and take ownership, knowing that you support them wholeheartedly in their decisions. (Luke 10:1; Acts 19:22)

10.    Set the bar high

There are times you have to get people to do what they don’t want to do, in order to become who they are supposed to become. The quality of a person’s life is directly proportionate to their commitment to exceed daily expectations placed on them.  People who are never stretched won’t grow into their full God-given potential. Create a culture of excellence and demand it from all whom you lead. (Exodus 3:10; Matthew 14:28-29)

11.   Make relationship a priority

All great mentoring relationships have one thing in common; personal relationship. As people get to know you more, their level of loyalty, commitment and desire to follow you will increase.  Take the time to get to know those you are leading beyond the scope of your ministry area. Take interest in their personal life and pay close attention to how they manage other areas of their life (family, finance, career, health, etc.) (John 3:22; Acts 17:1)

12.    Encourage them

Encouragement has been defined as the, ‘oxygen of the soul.’  Too many leaders expect their people to encourage themselves, yet most people need outside encouragement to move them forward. Make it your aim to give positive reinforcement continually. Look for ways to compliment each person you lead. People need more strokes than pokes! (! Corinthians 16:18; 2 Corinthians 7:4)

13.   Give them the time they need

Spending time with those you are discipling should never be viewed as a distraction, but an investment. Time is the one commodity of leadership development that cannot be ignored. The degree of time spent will have a great bearing on the pace in which someone develops. A leader who lives only for themselves is a failure, but the leader who is willing to give their time for others will truly acquire true success. (Acts 16:40; Galatians 2:2)

14.   Add Significance

Speak to people as those they are to be and not as they are. It is the role of the leader to add significance to the lives of those he leads. People want to know that what they are involved in has value. They desire to feel that they role is one of importance, and that they are a crucial part to reaching the end goal.  Create a culture of significance.

For the last post of this series of posts that deals with Deploying the Leader, see my next post.

In our last two posts, we have discussed the process that Jesus used to develop leaders. This process was built on biblically-based purpose-driven relationships which then were expanded into a four-fold strategy which included; define the leader, discern the leader, develop the leader and lastly deploy the leader.

In this third post, I would like to discuss the second step of the process, “Discerning the Leader.” 

Hopefully, you have taken the time to define the leader that you are attempting to build. This was covered in our last post. Once that has been defined you can now move to the next step of the process.

There are four areas to consider in discerning the leader that you desire to build.

1.  Assess the person and identify those areas that are established in their life.

Since you have been able to define what the leader should potentially become, you will need to begin by determining where the leader currently is. This might take place over a series of personal discussions where you are able to define with the potential leader, what it is that you are attempting to impart and develop in their lives.

 

2. Identify those areas that are absent or need development in their life.

It will be evident, what qualities are a part of their leadership and which ones still need to be developed. This list will become a great beginning point in developing the leader.

3. Prioritize the list of developmental areas.

Once the list is complete, you will want to prioritize the list of development areas and work with them to determine an action plan. You and your potential leader will now have a strategy to follow as you meet on a regular basis to discuss these important components.

4. Transfer to your development process (next session).

Now that you have a clear picture of the both the strengths and weaknesses of your potential leader and have worked together to build an action plan for development you are now ready to move on to the next step in the process, developing the leader.

See my next post for the next step in Developing the Leadership Pipeline – Developing the Leader: Part 4.

In our last post, we discussed the process that Jesus used to develop leaders. I had mentioned that his process was built on biblically-based purpose-driven relationship which then expanded into a four-fold strategy. Those steps were; define the leader, discern the leader, develop the leader and lastly deploy the leader.

In this post, I would like to discuss the first step of the process, “Defining the Leader.”  There are four areas to consider in defining the leader that you desire to build.

1.    Knowledge – What they should know.

Knowledge defined is the sum of what has been discovered and learned. The state of knowing information about a specific subject or area. Knowledge is an important part of a leader’s life. What they know is important in fulfilling the ministry they have been called to.

More importantly, our “knowing what they should know” is even more important that what they personally know. We know what they should know. Identifying these components are critical to the discipleship process. Experience is not enough. Character is not enough. Skills are not enough. You need them all. As you begin the process of building leaders you must define the knowledge they need to be successful in the area in which they will serve. 

Here are some knowledge areas you should consider in defining your leader:

• Bible Knowledge - check out PBC as a great training option for your leaders.
• Church vision and values - for a copy of CBC vision and values, email me.
• Leadership Culture and Principles
• Specialized Training
• Personal Role and Responsibilities
• Community Standards

2.    Experience – What should they have done.

Experience defined is the active participation in events or activities, leading to the accumulation of knowledge or skill. Nothing can replace experience. You can have all the training in world and still be greatly handicapped because of no real practical experience. You need knowledge, but you also need experience. 

Different levels of experience are needed for different levels of positions.

Although working in ministry will give them experience, we need to make sure that we discern what level of experience is needed in an area of ministry before setting them into that area of ministry.

Here are some areas of experience you should consider in defining your leaders:

• Ministry Experience
• Work/Career Experience
• Community Experience
• Life Experience

3.    Skill – What should they be able to do.

Skill defined is a developed gift, talent or ability. There are certain skills that are critical to performing any area of ministry. Overlooking the skills that are needed can be disasterous. Identifying those skills and insuring that you are focused on recognizing and/or developing those in your leader will help you to build the right kind of leader.

Here are some skills you might consider in identifying the goal of your leader:

• Proper Blend of Pastoral (Heart), Leadership (Head), and Adminstration (Hands).
• Spiritual Gifts – (see What Now  book for complete list of Spiritual Gifts and a personal Gift assessement test)
• Natural Talents and Abilities
• Technical Skills
• Specialized skills

4.   Maturity – Who they should be

Maturity defined is the state or quality of being fully grown and developed; naturally or spiritually.  Depending on the level of ministry where one will serve will determine the level of maturity needed in the person you are building. Taking time to define these areas, specifically is a critical part of the defining process.

There are certain levels of maturity that should be defined as to what you are expecting

• Christian Foundations – Salvation, water baptism, HS baptism, etc. (see Foundations of Christian Doctrine)
• Spiritual Disciplines – Prayer, bible, weekly attendance, tithing, small group, serving, etc.
• Character – Attitude, behavior, speech, habits, etc.
• Wisdom – decision making, problem solving, handling people, building the church.
• Availability – Amount of time, days of the week, time of day, etc.

Once you have defined exactly what you are attempting to build by using these four areas as an outline, only then can you begin to move forward in the discernment process.

My next post will deal with, “Discerning the Leader.” (See Developing a Leadership Pipeline – Discerning the Leader: Part 3)

It is God’s will that His church grows in both quality and quantity. In order for any church to reach their full potential, there must be a strong healthy leadership team that understands their primary role in reproducing themselves into the lives of those entrusted to their care. A leadership team must not just serve to meet the demands of those currently in their care, but build a leadership pipeline that is prepared to reach the multitudes coming their way.

Growing and expanding the church must be strategic. Being busy isn’t enough, having vision isn’t enough, being unified is not enough, only praying isn’t even enough, and all of these combined is not enough. Building the church also requires strategy and action; words which have been categorized as unspiritual to some. However if legitimate growth is going to occur, there needs to be healthy reproducing leaders in every tier of leadership. Much easier said than done.

Jesus was the master builder. His process was very strategic, methodical and predictable.  He sought out potential leaders and built his future leaders on the foundation of relationship. He then repeated the four stage process of  defining expectations, discerning their weaknesses and strengths, developing them and then deploying them. He had a process of building leaders.  Here are these steps further defined:         

 

• Relationships as the foundation – No leader was ever developed in the Bible without meaningful relationships as the beginning point. Development of a leader always stretched beyond a knowledge-only strategy. There was a three-fold cord of relationships, equipping and experience. Relationships were established with common vision and purpose. Once relationships were in place he moved into a four-step process:

 

• Step #1 – Define the Leader – He had a clear vision as to what he was going to build. He knew what it would take in order to fulfill the vision. He knew the type of leaders needed and their knowledge, skill and maturity BEFORE He even began his selection process. He knew the “WHAT” before He selected the “WHO.” 

 

• Step #2 – Discern the Leader – He would then select the leader and begin to discern where their strengths and weaknesses were in comparison to what He desired to build.

 

• Step #3 – Develop the Leader – His diagnosis of each person then set him on a path to begin the personal development of each person. Each leader was handled differently based upon their personal strengths and weaknesses. Development must be personalized to each person.

 

• Step #4 – Deploy the Leader –  As He developed them, His goal was to then release them into fulfilling the call of God on their lives. He set them into action!

 

Building a leadership pipeline strategy was critical to his ministry and to the advancement of the church.  We all should be following this pattern to build the church God has called us to build.

In the next few blog posts, I will deal with each area individually to further define the process. (see Developing a Leadership Pipeline – Defining the Leader: Part 2).

I was reminising about our last trip to Kona, Hawaii and came across a picture of a plant growing up through the volcano lava field. I thought it was a great analogy of how God can bring new life out of trials and tragedies that come our way. We all have faced, or will face trials. God can use everyone of them for our good.  

There is purpose to our lives, greater purpose than happiness alone. Throughout our lifetime, God will allow or divinely place circumstances along our journey that will put us face to face with certain issues we are to resolve. How we respond to these trials is of the utmost importance. Charles Swindoll says, “I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.”

The Bible substantiates this point in 1 Peter 4:12: “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner” (MSG).

Not all life experiences are meant to be bad. There are times (hopefully many) when God allows us to experience His goodness through His favor and blessings. Maybe you were mentored by a great man or woman of God, and that experience played a role in shaping you. Or you might have attended a great college or university, and that experience helped shape you into who you are today. Maybe you were raised in a wonderful family environment, founded upon a solid foundation of biblical morals and values. These are some of life’s most positive experiences. The bottom line is that God intends to use every life experience, whether good or bad, to shape you into a person that is fully able and prepared to fulfill their purpose. Over the years, I’ve developed a working definition of what I believe a life experience is:

“Life experiences are certain events or seasons that God directs or allows for you to acquire knowledge, character, and understanding that can be used to benefit you and others in future situations and ministry opportunities.

Day after day, we will face trials, tragedies, and triumphs that we can’t control. We can allow these circumstances to bury us or choose to step up and shake it off. The choice is ours for the taking.  I suggest we allow these life experiences to help us make sense of who we are and where we’re going.

These life experiences are only a part of our entire design and are intended to be the refining and strengthening agent of our other components. The previous four chapters have defined the four major components that are placed in our lives by our Creator. Passions, spiritual gifts, talent and abilities, and personal makeup are woven into the fabric of our lives. Life experiences are different in the sense that they are external factors that are placed in our lives by God to refine us. This refining process works to develop godly character in our lives as well as to place us in certain experiences that further shape us into a God-shaped vessel, perfectly crafted for our purpose. After a while, we begin to see that easy isn’t necessarily synonymous with good and difficult isn’t necessarily synonymous with bad. Sometimes the tough experiences have the greatest refining effect in our lives.

Here are a few benefits to consider next time you are going through a difficult Life Experience:

                • Make you more like Jesus (1 Pet. 4:12–13).

                • Give you compassion to minister to others (2 Cor. 1:4).

                • Draw you closer to Jesus (Ps. 34:18).

                • Create a greater dependence on God (2 Cor. 1:9).

                • Make you a stronger person (Rom. 5:3–4)

                • Are tools used in fulfilling your purpose (Gen. 50:20).

                • Promise you a better life (Heb. 12:11).

                • Give you a better perspective on life (Duet. 8:4-5)

                • Make you more humble (Heb. 12:10).

                • Achieve eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:17).

 

How refreshing to know that God has taken great interest in our lives! We haven’t been left alone, but have been set on a course to accomplish great things during our lifetime. He guides us, directs us, disciplines us, challenges us … all because He loves us. Our responsibility is to set our sights on our purpose, to not lose heart, and to never give up.