Of all the things that cars can do, the one thing they are not intended to do is to remain stationary while focusing on what’s in the rear view mirror. You get into a car to move and while some do it better than others, they all are designed on moving you forward, not backwards. Ringing any bells?

That sounds just like true ministry. Ministry should be based on moving people forward and not backwards nor just maintaining the status quo. Everything we do, all the activities connected to our ministry and all of our plans for our ministry should be forward looking.

To be forward looking means that we have and use realistic strategies that provide a way forward to those we minister to. Whatever line of ministry we operate in, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, all should be based on forward progression. To move people forward will take careful and thoughtful planning on our parts. It doesn’t happen by accident.

Just as the features we look for in a car, we should offer the same to those we minister to. What is the level of our reliability? Are we dependable under difficult situations or are we hit or miss? How about our mileage? Are we able to go the distance or do we run out of gas too quick before we see our mission through?

Styling on cars changes from year to year demonstrating in a visual way the need to be contemporary and relevant in all that we do. Yesterday’s way of doing things may not be the best way of doing things today. To be relevant means that we take a hard look at the current issues and mindsets of those we serve and shape our efforts into a language that is easily understood.

Forward thinking, forward acting and forward ministering should be at the core of who we are. The apostle Paul speaking about his own spiritual growth speaks for all of us today: 

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “  Philippians 3:13, 14 NIV

We want the same thrust for our ministry: Helping to move others beyond the challenges, pain and disappointments of the past and moving them forward to all that is possible today and tomorrow. It’s time to quit staring in the rear view mirror, step on the gas and drive!

Sometimes it makes you want to scream!  I know you’ve been there.  You’re in a meeting or presentation and it seems like time has decided to stand still.  Your personal mental challenge is to be creative in staying alert and giving the impression of interest in the uninteresting.(I’ve tried pinching myself)

The enemy called boredom does not discriminate.  It attacks men and women.  It attacks worthy causes and noble goals.  It attacks sincere plans and well minded intentions.  It attacks the novice as well as the veteran.  It’s most valued trusty is complacency and mental laziness.  It thrives on low expectations.

Does it have to be this way?  Is there anything that can be done to make the boring interesting?  Of course, the answer is yes.  But to get from boring to interesting will take intentional efforts.  Relying on the importance of the message being conveyed without consideration of how it is being conveyed is a poor strategy for success.

B-O-R-I-N-G

Being Oblivious to Relevant Information Needed for Growth

Here are three ways to fight the enemy called boredom:

1) Be Relevant.  If you’re not meeting the current needs of those you minister to, whose needs are you meeting?  You must know your audience and what brings value to them.  The greater the relevant value you bring to your ministry the more likely you will be in defeating boredom.  There is no “one size fits all” in ministry.

2) Be Enthusiastic.  If you’re not excited can you really expect others to find excitement in what you offer?  You must project energy by being energetic and lively.  Push yourself to be a better self.  Start with a smile and you’re on your way.

3) Be Authentic.  Being authentic means that you are who you say you are and that you practice what you preach.  No one likes a phony, do they?  Your authenticity (or lack of) will shine through and give evidence of your sincerity.

Our example for fighting the enemy called boredom is a high one.  When the soldiers who were sent to arrest Jesus explained to their leaders why that had not arrested him, all they could give as an explanation was “No one ever spoke the way this man does” John 17:46 NIV.  That’s the direction we should all be headed in.

Please continue to do what you do but do it with relevance, enthusiasm and authenticity.  Let’s vow to fight this enemy called boring.

I know this sounds harsh but bear with me. Let me explain. I recently saw a documentary about a particular ethnic group and the struggles and triumphs they uniquely faced. A memorable part of this presentation was the highlights made of successful individuals who are doing phenomenal, unusual, impactful, insightful, undeniable, incredible work in their particular areas of passion.

What makes these individuals so impressive is that they are operating in fields that are common place but doing their work in an uncommon manner. The contrast between the norm and what they are doing is so stark, it almost seems implausible.

What each one of these successful people have in common is a belief that more could be done if they fully engaged in their passion. Fully engaged does not mean just showing up and punching the clock and hoping for the best. Being fully engaged to them means that they personally invest huge amounts of themselves into the success of their passion.

They dream big and work just as hard as their dreams demand. They see potential in others that can only be realized if they themselves tap into their own potential. They see that if they dream bigger than what they see in the mirror and work harder for the success of others, their own fulfillment comes as a sweet reward.

I wonder how things would be if we could duplicate their efforts of dreaming big and working big? I wonder what things would be like if this was the norm and not the exception? I wonder what would happen if we, who feel like we’ve identified our passion, would get all the way in…or get out of the way?

Here comes the harsh part; if we’re not going to do what it takes, and fully commit, then we should move out of the way and give someone else a chance. Too much is at stake for us to just “mail it in”. It comes down to making a conscious decision of commitment.

I believe that if God put a dream, passion, or ministry in your heart, He expects you to do it in a manner that testifies to its divine origin. Phenomenal, unusual, impactful, insightful, undeniable, incredible work should describe our efforts, even if our work is not public.

The Apostle Paul, speaking of the enabling power of God’s love says “Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”  Ephesians 3:19, 20 The Message Bible

If they can do it, why can’t we? Let’s get in…but all the way in.

Rebooting gives equipment the opportunity to reset itself to the ideal settings to carry out the ideal functions it was designed for. What happens internally is a mystery to me…but I know it works.

It seems to correspond with us in our carrying out the ideal functions we were designed for. Sometimes to move forward in our purpose we have to reboot; turn everything off and then back on. Sometimes when it’s obvious that we are not functioning at the highest level, we may need to reboot.

And it’s not just when things are not going great, but even when things are going pretty good, it would do us well to reboot; turn everything off and then back on.

The disciples were instructed to do this very thing. After Christ sent them out on their first solo mission and they experienced tremendous results, He told them to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” Mark 6:31 NIV.  Just stop and reboot. There’s more for you to do ahead and this time of reflection and refreshing is vital to your continued success.

Is it time for you to reboot?

Do you still feel a passion for your ministry?

Are you being as effective as you believe and know you can be?

Is joy a part of your life and are you able to communicate that joy with others?

Is your life going in the direction that you believe it should be going in?

Do you recognize a higher purpose to your life?

Are you still walking daily with your First Love?

If you answered no or not sure to any of the above, it’s time to reboot.  “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” John 3:8 What happens when we reboot might seem mysterious to us…but I know it works.