Matt's Muzings
Turning Information into Intimacy
Success is the ability to turn information into intimacy.
I am aware of some information that was running around in my head these last couple of weeks. A few pieces of this information was:
I read an article about the Aids crises in Africa .
I am reading a new leadership book called 'The Leadership Challenge'.
I walked into the house and see my son who hasn't moved forward on a project and I use harsh words with him to get him moving.
I am aware of an issue with another leader that bothers me.
As I look back and evaluate how I have dealt with these pieces of information, I can determine how successful I was at turning this information into intimacy.
My dealings with the issues were:
In the article on Aids in Africa , I should have turned that to prayer and touched God's heart. I heard a whisper of the pain but since Africa was so far away I didn't press in to hear God. I did not turn this information into intimacy with God. No success.
In the new book I am reading on leadership. It is some good points but nothing that stirs me so far. I have not been able to directly use it to deepen my relationships with others here in Kona. No success.
With my son, I walked into his room and shared my heart and the frustrations of my day with him. I apologized for how I took out my frustrations on him. I asked how he was doing on the project and he was able to share his heart. We reconnected. Success.
I talked with the leader about my frustrations and what I thought was happening. He heard me and I heard him. Success.
Two out of four is not bad. I must do better.
I am convinced that my success in this world is linked to my ability to turn information that I have or am given into intimacy with people and God. To the degree that I can do that, to that degree will I be successful. To the degree that you will do that, you will be successful in God's work.