I am in New York with my friend Bill Hobbs where we've had a good time enjoying all that the city has to offer. Tonight we are going to the New York Giants football game, where they will play the Chicago Bears. This trip confirms what I've always said: it's hard work having fun!
If you have read these Memos for very long, you know that I have pointed out that quality questions lead to a quality life. (If you are new to this Memo, you can read some of my previous issues on the site where they are posted.) I think part of seeking the Lord is holding a question before Him and then sticking with that question until you get an answer. If that's true, then you need to choose good questions while you seek.
OLD QUESTIONS
In the past, I have tried to give you some questions that you can use to help you in your PurposeQuest. Some of those questions have included:
1. What did you enjoy doing when you were young?
2. What makes you cry? What makes you angry?
3. What compliments have you heard regularly?
4. What would you do with your time if you had all the money you needed?
5. What opportunities seem to come your way without any effort on your part?
NEW QUESTIONS
This week I have two new questions for you to consider. I discovered these questions when reading the latest book by James Kouzes and Barry Posner, A Leader's Legacy. Those two questions are:
6. Who am I willing to serve?
7. For what am I willing to suffer?
The authors go on to say:
Each of us has to answer these questions of ourselves before we can change the world, make a difference, and leave a legacy. If we're going to be authentic in our leadership, we have to be willing to serve, and we have to be willing to suffer.
"Now, wait a minute," you say. "Do you mean to tell me that I have to work hard all my life, and that when I get to be a leader what I get in return is that I have to serve others and I have to suffer in the process? That's not what I signed up for. No one ever told me that leaders have to do that!"
I won't take up your time with any more explanation. Just take those two questions and think about them this week. Take notes on your thoughts and write me to let me know what you hear. Your answers could and should help you clarify your purpose.
Hi John!
Meeting you in the PurposeQuest workshop in Kenya - Naivasha was a life-changing experience!
I am glad that this week you are revising the "questions" which I find pertinent in shaping anyone's life. You will be excited to know that I shared these questions in a reflection with members of my Weekly Fellowship Group and it was a glorious moment! After that the Group requested me to be their main speaker in a whole day Retreat - which was also meant to rebuild broken bridges - we were all blessed!! - Thanks for your very resourceful literature.
At a personal level I have found the questions very useful - especially in my justice and peacebuilding work whenever I ask myself the questions - " What makes you cry? What makes you angry?" - I seem to make headways/decision making even in complicated situations. The new questions "Who am I willing to serve? For what am I willing to suffer?" are yet another insight. Some food for thought for me is the question - What would you do with your time if you had all the money you needed? combined with For what am I willing to suffer?". I think there lies a challenge especially as one thinks of "survival" and "calling/purpose". It is my prayer that my "calling/purpose" is not compromised by "survival" and vice-versa! Kindly share your thought on this one.
Posted by: Grace | November 19, 2006 at 07:54 AM
That is the perhaps the hardest issue for people—“I need to work and pay bills. How can I combine my purpose and work?”
It all starts with identifying what your purpose is and being clear. Until then, everything is speculation as to how it will work out. When you discover purpose, God helps you work it out because He wants you to fulfill your purpose even more than you do.
The other aspect is found in the example of the Apostle Paul. He was a tentmaker to make money, but he never referred to himself in any of his letters as a tentmaker. He referred to himself by his purpose, which was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Don’t take your identify from what you do to make money, but rather what you do to fulfill your purpose. Don’t let money define you.
I hope this helps.
My best to everyone at CRS.
In Him,
Dr. J
Posted by: John | November 19, 2006 at 07:58 AM