Matt's Muzings
In Between
To help you think, ponder and reflect on the human side of leadership
December, 2006 Volume 8, Issue 72
As we approach the end of the year there is a sense of looking back and a desire to look forward. One year of our life is gone. It has passed away and it will never be seen again. It will only be viewed from the perspective of history as a collection of events that we experienced and interpreted in a certain way.
There is nothing you can do to change it. It is what it is. Good, bad or ugly, it has slipped through all of our hands and is now over. I say that because what is over cannot be changed, we can only learn from it for the future.
In light of Christmas, there is hope, a new beginning, new life offered to all of us no matter what happened this last year. (Thank you Jesus)
Looking to the future we hope. A hope that stirs in us the desire for more of life, for better things to come, to forget some events of this past year and to build on others.
So, how are we to walk out this tension of the “in between” that we are in right now? Not yet done with this year and yet looking ahead?
In essence, we examine our life and take with us the lessons and gifts of this last year and focus on God’s direction for the New Year. As leaders we are not to be like animals that just experience and react: feed, sleep, mate and fight for position.
We are to be ambassadors and image bearers, carriers of light, harvesters, builders and warriors moving forward the kingdom of God.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Some questions come to mind to help with this art of examination:
• Who, what and where are you worshipping?
• Where is there ‘life’ or ‘passion’ in your walk with God? How will you feed it and build on it?
• How strong are your primary relationships? Where are there weaknesses that you can deal with by humbling yourself?
• What are you asking God for that is beyond your capacity to accomplish?
• What things can you give up that are more just inherited burdens than life giving expressions?
These are just some of my questions that come to my mind. What are the key questions that you need to ask? I do know this, leaders ask better questions and therefore get better answers.
I trust you know the wisdom of God in all areas of your life as you examine this past year and plan for the New Year to come. A new year waits to be born in light of a God who came to dwell among us.
Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year 2007 to you and your families!
May God Richly Bless You,
Matt & Celia
Family Matters:
Matt: We had a great time in Hawaii with our family. Dad and I called it our golf vacation as we played golf for 9 days, thanks to a “local” golf special. It was great. The teaching in the Korean DTS went well as well. My computer was down for 3 weeks but some very dear friends gave me a new computer. Thank you God for these dear friends.
Celia: Merry Christmas everyone. It has been raining here in Singapore which has helped to make it more “Christmasy” if that is possible in the tropics. Another cool thing here is that the churches gather to put on 10 nights of song and dance on Orchard Rd. There are 5 stages and each one has a planned program every evening. This year there is a call to everyone to come and carol on Christmas Eve at 11:30PM. A first! We just might go and join them. Many blessings to you and your family as we celebrate our precious Savior and Lord’s birth and remind ourselves once again how much He loves us!
Josh: He has moved to the other side of the island so he is a long ways away from Kona. Someone backed into his truck so that is a bit of a worry. He is enjoying the company of his girl friend this holiday season who is home from school.
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