All of us crave companionship. We want someone alongside, someone with whom to share our journey.
My friend Russ Ikeda has an interesting insight about companionship. The word itself comes from two Latin words: com = with, and panis = bread. A companion is someone with bread, someone who brings sustenance for the journey.
Am I truly a companion for others? How can I supply sustenance to those God has given me as partners? My friends? My significant other? My children? My aging parents? Those in my growth group? Those with whom I serve on a ministry team? My co-workers? My neighbors?
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
decisions, decisions, decisions
Last night I was listening to the commentators speculate on Barack Obama's next move as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Hillary Clinton's lack of a clear concession led them to believe that she was angling for a spot on the ticket as the candidate for vice president and that Obama would need to make a quick decision on this.
I started thinking about how Obama might make such a decision. I'm sure he'd bring in his wisest and most trusted counselors. He'd look at the decision from all possible angles, playing out all the possible consequences. And this is an important decision. Not only might this decision affect the success of his (presumptive) candidacy, it could possibly affect the well-being of the country (if he does become the next president).
How do I go about making important decisions in my life? I may not make decisions that are quite as broad in their consequences as the decision facing Obama. But how do I (and the leadership team) go about making important decisions that affect our church community? It's true that gathering data and hearing wise counsel are very important. But what's the most critical factor in making wise decisions?
It made me think of Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 3:9. I like the way Eugene Peterson puts it in his translation The Message: "Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" Amen.
I started thinking about how Obama might make such a decision. I'm sure he'd bring in his wisest and most trusted counselors. He'd look at the decision from all possible angles, playing out all the possible consequences. And this is an important decision. Not only might this decision affect the success of his (presumptive) candidacy, it could possibly affect the well-being of the country (if he does become the next president).
How do I go about making important decisions in my life? I may not make decisions that are quite as broad in their consequences as the decision facing Obama. But how do I (and the leadership team) go about making important decisions that affect our church community? It's true that gathering data and hearing wise counsel are very important. But what's the most critical factor in making wise decisions?
It made me think of Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 3:9. I like the way Eugene Peterson puts it in his translation The Message: "Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" Amen.
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