Drawing inspiration and encouragement from encouraging people.
in the USA there are a multitude of resources to encourage the heart...via Book, DVD, seminars, conferences, tv, radio, podcasts, life coaches and internet resources...not to mention great churches staffed by great leaders in most towns and cities...
Note: I mentioned drawing 'inspiration'...and 'encouragement'...to draw literally means to lean into, to contact, to connect, to seek, to ask, to question, listen and to learn...drawing from someone involves humility of heart and mind, effort and time, and a willingness to be a learner who responds positively to inspirational and encouraging input..
Jesus Christ is the most encouraging and inspirational person I know...He is always encouraging...He is the One we can lean into in order to draw all the life we need....Colossians 2:5-7 NLT States:
I am very happy because you are living as you should
and because of your strong faith in Christ.
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord,
you must continue to live in obedience to him.
Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him,
so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous
in the truth you were taught.
Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.
and because of your strong faith in Christ.
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord,
you must continue to live in obedience to him.
Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him,
so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous
in the truth you were taught.
Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.
A noun, inspiration is
- Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.
- The condition of being so stimulated.
- An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.
- Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
- The quality of inspiring or exalting: a painting full of inspiration.
- Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.
- The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs
spending time with such people in person, in print or on podcast can cause us to be inspired to reach beyond our limited, natural abilities and tendencies...
We some how are then inspired and encouraged, to believe we can succeed, make a difference in the life of another, or survive a trying situation.
encouragement:
noun | |
| 1. | the expression of approval and support [ant: discouragement] |
| 2. | the act of giving hope or support to someone [syn: boost] |
| 3. | the feeling of being encouraged |
people who spark inspiration are usually great encourager's, they support, give hope, and boost our lives forward...
there are always exceptions...sadly some people who are known for inspiring others don't seem to have the ability, the character to build up, to invest in and release others to continue to expand their vision or cause... I've watched some great leaders miss the mark... especially in the investment, releasing others into service arena. Their apparent success is usually diminishing, limited to one generation.
One church and another para-church ministry I know has always had 'great potential' but the potential has been consistently dissipated or wasted.
How?
1. By hiring over qualified people for jobs well below their abilities; locking them into a lesser role that leads to frustration, they are not released to do what they are trained to do which leads to an abnormal high staff / leader turn over. Therefore the wheel is always being reinvented...the pattern repeated...hire over qualified leaders etc...
One church, when wanting 'to getting rid' of staff members (who are no longer 'useful' for the leaders / organizational benefit...and typically after the loyal staff members have given their life blood sometimes for years, for the organization or for the leader, uses the 'we will give you a role so much below your abilities, potential and character you will want to leave' fire method. (Real up front and Godly eh?) Leave they do, licking their wounds usually in anger and sadly full of disillusionment.
2. A failure to create a positive 'we are making a difference, therefore we will do what ever it takes team atmosphere' and 'vibe' ...that invests in growing people... the people who have a share holders stake (a personal growing investment in the movement)...thus lowering staff turn over.
The value of Team building, and Team dynamics are usually lost on such leaders,
...they may seen to be great speakers who encourage groups of people, but, in reality behind the scenes they in it for themselves...for such leaders people are just stepping stones toward their ideal their goal...they don't have the emotional intelligence, nor the skillful foresight to inspire, encourage, invest in and release people into service for the benefit of all.
Over the years I noticed God has a way of taking away some, or all of the influence a leader thinks they have. He begins to raise up other quality people who see a relational investment worthy of pursuit. Sadly, typically the initial leaders of a movement begin to oppose the new kids on the block verbally, and in attitude. They end up opposing the very movement they helped start...usually pride, believing their perceived press, or a highly inflated view of self, and a narcissist ego, have something to do with their fall and failed potential of the movement.
Anyway,
to encourage someone lit. means to pour courage into another person that strengthens the heart, mind and will for action
When inspired and encouraged, our mind, and our will, and our emotions begin to line up...faith then enters the heart, and we believe. Believing... we then can move forward with confidence. It is important to be around encourager's and inspirer's if not our passion wanes, our hearts sink, and we become passive.
So seek to draw inspiration and encouragement from others...
Just a few people of the many people who encourage me mainly through reading their books, listening to podcasts, hearing heart felt worship, or talking on the phone...
Erwin McManus
Steve Sjogren
Doug Roe
Dave Workman
Scott Sliver
Robert Pitman
Brennin Manning
Passion 07
Tim Hughes and the Soul Survior worship guys
Robert Pooley
David Kerr always a resource of great thoughts and encouragment
Dave Ping
Doug Pollock
many more...
This week I will read, listen, watch ________________________.
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