THIS WEEKS PONDERING POINT

A PONDERING POINT IS A SHORT STORY OR QUOTE THAT HELPS YOU FOCUS ON A GREAT POINT TO PONDER THROUGH YOUR WEEK.....

A principal of a previously failing school just received the news his school was now meeting the district standards. After telling his staff he decided to celebrate in a very strange way. He gathered all his teachers up in a school bus and took them into the city for a retreat. The teacher’s were ready for a surprise party or a celebration dinner, where they went instead shocked them all. During their trip they stopped by a homeless shelter, a drug rehab facility, the unemployment office, and finally the morgue. The Principal explained to them that what they choose to invest into the kid’s lives directly affects where the kids end up.  When some of the teacher’s began to explain how they followed the lesson plan and did everything they could. This was the principal’s reply. “The compulsion to perform without a heart truly invested, is the life blood of mediocrity.”

Point to Ponder

That is a powerful statement and one that rings true in all areas of life. Have you ever looked at everything you place on your agenda during a day? I can tell you it can be quite sobering to look at the list and ask; is this a compulsion to secure my investment or an investment to secure my commitment? Look at 2nd Corinthians 9: 6-8 (Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.) I know most of us are familiar with this passage.  Typically it covers the topic of the tithe. However look at the direct distinction. We are called to have a decided heart which is a true investment in what we commit to. And if we give of ourselves the promise of God’s grace and provision will abound in our lives. So this week’s challenge is simply to answer the question, am I truly invested in my commitments or am I just following a compulsion to perform? Maybe you are in a marriage and you have let it go on auto pilot for so many years you don’t remember even how to invest yourself, maybe you’re a leader at work and you are so focused and driven on where you want to lead your team you have forgotten to invest in them altogether, or it could be you’re a parent and you have had nothing but the compulsion to keep enough money in the bank to out run the bills that you have forgotten the need for daily investment into your children’s lives. Whatever the situation in your life I challenge you to re-evaluate where and why you have invested your time. I love the quote that says “I would rather have someone to care enough to pull me off the mountain than let me climb it and realize I’m all alone”.  Don’t lose focus on climbing the mountain when God promises if you commit to him he can toss it in the sea.

Thanks for pondering