Issue 106
What is the difference between the deep and the shallow person, the effective and the also-ran, the mature and the immature? What enables some to live and work to a level which is beyond others? These are important questions, for answering them can make the difference between getting by and moving on, marking time or real growth. Financial and career success may not automatically follow your personal and professional growth, but it is still essential that we figure out some of the secrets of effectiveness.
I am going to suggest to you that one major difference between the deep and the shallow is the ability to ‘see’. It is possible to live day by day and not really notice what is going on. Jesus was a great observer. He noticed the world around him and ‘saw’.
This habit involves seeing the individual who is struggling or hurting as well as the one who is about to achieve a breakthrough. It involves seeing potential problems as well as potential opportunities. It requires great thought, discipline and prayer. As we practice this habit we can see events but also begin to understand their meanings. We can learn from what is happening and use that learning to equip ourselves and others. As time goes by we can learn to see the spiritual dynamic in a situation as well as the obvious events.
There is no guarantee that our interpretation will always be right, but ‘seeing people’ will learn from these experiences as well.
Jesus saw Nathaniel and called him; he saw crowds and had compassion on them; he saw the spiritual battle behind his followers’ delegated mission campaign; he saw ways of using everyday situations to enable others to encounter God; he saw Peter struggle with himself prior to his denial of being part of Jesus’ team. On the cross when his work was at its most intense, he saw John and Mary standing near him. Some people are naturally more reflective than others, and that is fine, but we all need to learn how to ‘see’ if we are to work well.
When John the Baptist asked for confirmation that Jesus was the real and genuine article, Jesus told his followers to report back to John a number of things, first of which was that “the blind see”. Certainly this referred to physical sight but,whatever our current state of clarity, it is legitimate to pray, “Lord open my eyes”, on a daily basis.
John 19:25-27
25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
John 17:1-5
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: 2″Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began
Luke 11: 1-4
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2He said to them, “When you pray, say:
” ‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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