The Greatest Strengths-Based Strategy

I want to be the best.

Like the Army used to say, I want to "Be the best I can be."  The best husband, dad, pastor, leader, and friend.

The strengths-based concept is not new.  It has become very popular in leadership circles.  There are blogs, books, and tons of resources dedicated to helping us maximize our strengths.

And I'm all for it.


But, my understanding of it underwent an upgrade recently.  It happened when I read this in Paul's 2nd letter to the people of Corinth:

"If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth...So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh...Three different times I asked the Lord to take it away.  Each time He said, "My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness."

Paul flirted with pride.  I can relate.

Paul also thought if he could get past his weaknesses and focus on his strengths he could do more.  Makes sense to me.  Paul is exhibiting a classic strengths-based perspective.  As any good strengths-based adherent will tell you, ignore the weakness.  Go work in your strengths.  That's where your greatest potential lies.

I agree.  Our greatest potential for influence lies in our greatest strengths.


Here's where the revelation came: My greatest strengths aren't mine.


If I had to choose between being at my best or God being at His best, it's an easy choice.  Even on my best day, I can't come close to what God can do.  And He tells us that His power works best in our weakness.

I want to be the best.  I also want God to be at His best.  Do we have to choose?  Can't we have both?  The answer to those questions is "Yes."  I believe we can have both.  But to have both, we have to choose.

In order for me to be my best, I actually have to embrace my weakness.  You see, what I previously understood as my strengths led me to rely on them.  Problem.  When I rely on my strengths, I limit what God can do.  I try to be a good dad.  But there are days I just don't have what it takes.  I get impatient and tired.  When I rely on myself, I come up short.  But, if I could admit my weakness and confess that I'm just too tired and stressed to be a good dad, guess what?

God's power will be unleashed in its fullest expression.  His power works best in our weakness.

So, then, the key for the greatest strengths-based success is to embrace our weakness and recognize the source of our Greatest Strength.  Seems counter-intuitive.  That's how God rolls.

Embrace your weakness.  That's the true secret of strengths-based success.

If you want to be your best.

As now, So then

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming."

What a poignant statement.

The final phrase stands out to me the most, "...for what we are worshipping we are becoming."

Two things stand out to me when I read this:
1. We are a work in progress.
2. We change, whether we like it or not.

I never stop changing. I never stop growing. I'm always becoming something. The powerful thought is that we have the power to choose what we are becoming.

Many people unknowingly forfeit their opportunity to become something great, for the sake of becoming something common.

So what?

Reflect and search your heart. What matters most to you right now? Is that what you want to become?

A few years ago I heard a quote that stuck with me. "As now, so then." What you do today, what you value today, echoes in your tomorrow.  Following Emerson's advice, take care what you worship, what you care about.

Seeker Sensitive

I recently heard Rick Warren share something.  It was an "Aha" moment.  He was speaking about churches and the tension they face between being faithful to what they believe yet at the same time being relevant and accessible to those who have no religious context.

The Problem:
On the one side, some churches make everything so simple and palatable for a guest that they forfeit the power of the Faith-filled life.

On the other side, there are churches that passionately pursue and express their faith, to the confusion of the guests.

The Solution:
What Rick shared was this: We need to passionately express our faith in authentic and genuine ways.  And we should make no apologies for this.  Our honest expression will not be a turn-off to our guests IF...


WE EXPLAIN EVERYTHING.


He made this analogy: He (like myself) does not like opera.  He doesn't speak many other languages, in which opera is often performed.  He doesn't get it.  But, when he attends an opera, they hand him this little program that EXPLAINS what is going on.  It tells him "She's singing this right now" and "This is what's happening here."

Our responsibility is to EXPLAIN what is going on to our guests.  They may not speak our language or understand what's going on.  The solution is not to limit our expression of faith.  The solution is to EXPLAIN our expression of faith.

That is what it means to be Seeker Sensitive.

For us, that means go all out.  Express yourself fully.  Just explain what you're doing for those that don't understand.  There's no guarantee they will embrace what you're doing.  But at the very least, they will understand it.