Growing Edges

“My effectiveness as a leader is directly related to my relationship with Jesus.”

This is a phrase I have consistently kept in front of me for a number of years, now. I believe that statement is true… do you?

Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5).

One of the impacts of paying attention to that statement is that I pay attention to my relationship with Jesus. It’s not that I always feel good about that relationship. It’s not that my relationship with Jesus is always growing or never has any backward steps. But I DO pay attention to my relationship with Jesus.

Assuming you are paying attention to your relationship with Jesus, what are you experiencing right now? 

What are you hearing the Spirit say?

Where are you hearing comfort and acceptance?

Where are you being challenged to think and act differently?

One of my growing edges right now is that I am trying to live FROM a place of acceptance, not FOR a place of acceptance.

I am trying to let the truth of the Bible sink deep into my bones — that Jesus REALLY DOES love me, and that there is nothing I can do to earn his love.

Even as I circle back to my first statement about being effective, the Spirit keeps reminding me that before I even think about effectiveness, I am loved, and all of my efforts and work are to flow from the fact that God loves me rather than trying to have my efforts convince me that I am loved.

So, I am building practices into my life that keep me connected to Jesus.

You know these practices — reading the Bible, talking to others about what I and they are learning, and praying (to name a few).  I am learning to do these things in a way that nourishes my relationship with Jesus rather than doing them in a way that tries to impress others or God.

What about you?

What are some of your growing edges right now?

What is God impressing on you?

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