Matt's Muzings
To help you think, ponder and reflect on the human side of leadership
December, 2007 Volume 9, Issue 82
There is conflict in life.
Here is the good news and the bad news.
It will not go away.
It will change and morph into different areas, expressions, and faces and times. But as long as we have breath it will be a part of our life.
More than any other aspect of life, how you deal with conflict will have the greatest influence over who you are and who you become.
It will define our relationships and their capacities.
It will be the primary voice that guides us in how we organize everything in our life.
It will be the biggest door to opportunity or fence to keep everyone out.
It will be the motive to pursue power and control or love and sacrifice.
It will reveal our values, as nothing else will.
How are you doing at dealing with conflict in your life?
This is the season to remind ourselves of the importance of conflict and how we are to respond to it.
We look to our Father as the model for this as He is the only one capable of showing us what to do.
He humbled Himself and became a baby. In essence he did not pursue power or control.
He identified with us. He entered our world so that we would know beyond a shadow of doubt that he understands us.
He became vulnerable. He reached out to us. He lived with us, got our attention and then talked with us.
At this time of year, my prayer is that in the midst of the conflicts we are in, we would remember that it is now our time to humble ourselves, to enter others world and identify with them and understand them. To keep being vulnerable and talk to them even when we are not welcomed.
I realize this may not be your usual Merry Christmas greeting. But please remember that ‘unto us a child is born’ is God’s way of dealing with conflict. He cares about all you are going through and wants to walk with you through it all.
May God richly bless you during this holiday season.
Matt & Celia
Family Matters:
Matt: We had a great time in Indonesia with friends down there. What a treat to see them and catch up on their world and all that God has done through them. I am off in a couple of days to Brazil for a conference and then back through Oregon on my way home to Singapore. It is my first time to Brazil so I am excited to see what God will do.
Celia: I agree with Matt, Indonesia was a treat for us being with several dear friends. We then had a week with Matt’s folks. We took a side trip to Malaysia for a couple days with them to check out the golf and seafood! Fresh lobster as they celebrated their anniversary. We celebrated too a few days later on Dec. 5, 25 years! God is good!
Josh: He is busy working. He is doing great work on the house he is rebuilding and enjoying it. I just talked with him and he said he is having to wear a lot of clothes to keep warm.
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