The Monday Memo from John Stanko

533: Daylight on the Night Shift

This week I borrow another classic Monday Memo from the archives in honor of Christmas. After you read it, please make sure you see the announcement at the end of the Memo for another matching grant for Kenya that expires on December 31. Here's wishing you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons!

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I receive many emails every year asking how to find purpose. Many say they have "no idea" what their purpose is and ask me for help. While I respond as best I can, after all these years I know that I cannot help anyone see his or her purpose.  I know the One who can, however, and how He does it is similar to the story of the shepherds at Christmas, something I call daylight on the night shift.  Read on to see what I mean.

THE NIGHT SHIFT

The shepherds in the Christmas story were working the night shift, doing what they and their ancestors had done for centuries. They went to work that night without any thought that anything extraordinary was about to happen. On the night Jesus was born, they were tending their flocks on the hillsides outside Bethlehem, minding their own business. Suddenly God sent them messengers, who brought great light to the night shift:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:8-16).

These shepherds were doing what they knew to do at that time in their life and God interrupted them with a special news report. This both scared and thrilled them. That's how it is when you find your life purpose. Often you are doing what you know to do at the time, usually a job or role that is less than fulfilling. Suddenly God, the Great Communicator, breaks into your conscious being and brings a message of purpose, of what He has always wanted you to do. That not only terrifies you but also gives you a desire to clarify and fulfill it.

That night the shepherds went to work like any other day. God spoke to them, however, and they were never the same. They started by sitting on a hillside in cold weather; they ended by finding a great treasure in Bethlehem, a treasure that had not been revealed to anyone else but them.

YOUR PURPOSEQUEST

Maybe you have been in a desperate search for your purpose and its expression. As we end this year, I suggest that you be encouraged as you remember the shepherds. Finding your purpose doesn't depend on your diligence; it depends on God's grace. Yes, you must search for your purpose, but only God can reveal it to you. I don't know when or how He will do that. It may be one cold, dark night when you go about your business like countless other nights. At that point, God may send His messenger and change your life forever. I don't know when or how He will do it, I just know He will.

So have faith and relax this holiday season. Keep asking God to help you see who you are and what you were born to do, and after that, trust Him. You may even want to thank Him for your purpose whether or not you understand what it is.  He wants you to fulfill your purpose more than you do. He will show you in the fullness of time, bring you daylight even if you are working the night shift. When He does, you will join with the shepherds as laborers who found more than business as usual one night when they went to work. May the God of purpose speak to you soon and may you have the courage to believe what He says!  Here's wishing you and yours a happy holiday season!

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This week I received a $750 matching grant toward The Big Blessing for Kenya to help feed children like those pictured here. The grant offer expires, however, on December 31. That means for every dollar you give between now and then, you are actually giving two dollars. Don't miss this chance to be a blessing and to double your gift.  You can give through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  Remember to mark your contribution "Matching Grant" and I will take care of the rest. Thank you and Happy New Year!

532: Down But Not Out

Last week on my long trip from Munich to Atlanta, I had a chance to listen to Handel's Messiah in its entirety.  That reminded me of this post in the Monday Memo archives, and I thought I would revise and share this classic with you again this year.  Have a happy holiday season and remember to set some goals for the new year during this festive season - JS.

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I have seen and listened to the Messiah many times but it never gets old.  Let's take a look at the circumstances that surrounded Handel as he composed his work and see if there are any purpose lessons there for you (you know there are).

MESSIAH

The Messiah is considered by many to be the greatest musical accomplishment in the history of mankind. Commissioned by a charity for a benefit concert, Handel wrote the Messiah in only 24 days. A musician once told me that someone trying to copy the Messiah could not do so in 24 days—that is the level of inspiration in which Handel operated when he wrote. Handel never left his house for those three weeks. His food trays remained untouched outside his office door. A friend who visited him as he composed found him sobbing with intense emotions. Later, as Handel groped for words to describe what he had experienced, he quoted St. Paul, saying, “Whether I was in the body or out of my body when I wrote it, I know not.”

What’s even more impressive is that Handel wrote Messiah under extreme duress. The Church of England strongly criticized and opposed Handel and his previous Scriptural works put to music. At the age of 56, he had no money, often going out only at night so as to avoid his creditors. Handel performed what he considered his farewell concert and went home, fully expecting to end up in debtor’s prison.

Yet the first performance of Messiah in Ireland in 1742 raised almost £400 for charity and freed 142 men from debtor's prison. Of course the rest is history as countless millions have enjoyed and marveled at this work for more than 250 years. Handel also went on from there to enjoy tremendous success and popularity in his latter years.

What does this have to do with you? Perhaps you are a person of purpose but you feel frustrated, even defeated in your PurposeQuest. Maybe you find yourself down and out, discouraged and criticized, forgotten and a failure. Perhaps your finances are in poor shape. If that description fits you, read on, for this Memo can restore your hope and faith. If that’s not you, read on anyway, for you will probably enter that phase one day as you pursue your purpose.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE DOWN AND OUT.

What should you do if you are in a season of “un-use,” disfavor or inaction? As we close out 2011, I would urge you to do three things if you are discouraged, disillusioned or dismayed. And if you’re not, I urge you to find someone who is—you shouldn’t have to look too hard—and encourage them in their dark time.

1. Renew your faith in God. Your success and purpose expression doesn’t depend on your faithfulness; it depends on God’s. Remind yourself that God can do anything, and then rest in Him. Handel went home to retire and perhaps thought it was all over for him. Yet God helped him, a group found and commissioned him and God can and do the same for you.
2. Keep preparing for your day of success. I don’t think Handel went home to retire and abandoned music. Don't you abandon your love either. Keep writing, reading, learning and practicing. When the phone rings or the mail comes with your opportunity, you will be fresh and prepared, having worked in faith for the day of success.
3. Be generous. Handel wrote the Messiah for charity, even though he was destitute. What can you do for someone else, even though you are down and out?  It is a good thing to do the unexpected in hard times, and giving something away definitely fits the bill when you are in need yourself. What better way to express your trust in God?

I’m grateful for 2011 and I hope you can find reasons to be as well. If not, then just thank God for His faithfulness. At least you’re still alive! Then take this Memo to heart or share it with someone who needs it. I pray that as you do what I recommended above, you will see a purpose breakthrough in 2012. Thank you for allowing me to come into your life every week and thank you for being a PurposeQuest-er. As I close this Memo, I wish you not only a great week, but also a very Merry Christmas!

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KENYA UPDATES:  I posted two updates from Kenya.  One is on the library project and the need for power tools here.  The other is from Pastor Francis and Upako Centre here.  Please read them and then give generously to help feed a child like the one pictured left, either through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

KINDLE BOOKS:  Three of my books are now available via Amazon in kindle format.   Those three are The Revelation Project, A Daily Dose of Proverbs and Faith Files, Volume Two. Download a copy today and then carry me with you wherever you and your e-reader go! 

531: My Work, Your Work

I wrap up my stay in Africa today and will be home tomorrow, Lord willing!  It has been a great stay, as always, with many open doors for the purpose message.  It's time to go home, however, and I have been seeking the Lord about "home" while I have been here.  I thought I would share some thoughts with you in this Memo.

GLORIFY GOD

Jesus had work to do that only He could do. That seems like an obvious statement. When Jesus was praying in John 17, he said:

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour 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. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do" (John 17:1-4, emphasis added).

Jesus glorified the Father by completing the work the Father had assigned. He did not glorify Him by talking, singing or preaching. You will glorify God in the same manner.  Because there are many things you can do, it is essential you identify and engage the work that only you can do. 

MY WORK, YOUR WORK

I have prayed this year that God would help me structure my "world," which consists of: 1) pastoral duties; 2) college instructor; 3) author; 4) administrator; 5) coach; and 6) consultant. I have been looking for how I can perform more effectively in all these areas, or seeking to determine which areas I should eliminate or reduce. 

In my most recent efforts to structure, I have been praying, "Lord, show me the work that I am supposed to do, that only I can do, and then help me delegate or eliminate everything else." One big breakthrough is that I hired an administrative assistant who has been a wonderful addition to my life and work (my first assistant since 1991).  Yet there is more to be done if I am to do the work that only I can do and glorify God in the process. I sense I will have to stop doing some things, perhaps many things, if that is to occur.

This will require some additional adjustments and changes as I enter 2012. I must ruthlessly jettison all things that others can do in the interests of doing what only I can do.  That will require courage and self-awareness, for I must pay attention to my heart: "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy" (Proverbs 14:10).

No one can tell me the condition of my heart, or yours for that matter.  No one can tell you, "Oh, you should be so happy with what you are doing.  You are so talented and gifted, there is no way you should be doing this or not doing that."  It is my job to get in touch with my heart and then follow its leading, trusting that God is in control, fulfilling the promise in Psalm 37:4: "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  God fulfills those desires because He placed them there in the first place.

As you close out 2011, I encourage you to do what I am doing:  Take a good, long look at your "world" and identify the work that only you can do. Then with courage and determination, structure your life to do that work. As I return home, I don't have all the answers, but I will not give up, for I want to glorify God just like Jesus did - by completing the work God gave me to do.  Have a great week!

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THE BIG BLESSING: I distributed almost $3,000 here in Kenya toward the library project and food for Upako Centre and Each One Touch One Orphanage. Yet there is much more to do as I work toward the $25,000 goal of The Big Blessing to be collected and distributed by March, 2012.

As you pray about your year-end giving, I urge you to consider my work here in Kenya. Conditions are tough (19% inflation, shortage of cooking gas, high fuel prices and an election next year that always seems to cause great economic turmoil).  Help me start libraries where children can have electricity and find their textbooks to do their homework. Help me feed hungry orphans. Help me build a facility where HIV/AIDS widows can learn, work and grow. If you want to read more about my work in Kenya that The Big Blessing will support, you can do so here. 

Then please give as 2011 ends through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  When you give, the orphans will give you a big "thumbs up" for your kindness and mercy shown them. And I hope and pray that you and yours will enjoy the blessings of Christmas and enter into a prosperous New Year.  Thank you and God bless you!

You can read the first thank you from my most recent trip here.

530: Live Like You Were Dying

I had some time in my hotel room this week, and decided to listen to some music on iTunes. It was then that I listened to a song that I downloaded years ago and wrote about in a 2008 Monday Memo. It's sung by country western singer Tim McGraw, and it's called Live Like You Were Dying. I thought I would share the lyrics with you again and let you draw your own lessons from what they have to say. (If you would rather watch it performed, you can do so here.)

THE SONG

He said, "I was in my early forties
with a lot of life before me,
when a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
And I spent most of the next days
looking at the x-rays,
talking bout the options
and talking 'bout sweet time.
I asked him when it sank in
that this might really be the real end."
How's it hit you when you get that kinda news.
Man what would you do?

And he said,
"I went sky diving,
I went Rocky Mountain climbing.
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu.
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying.
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying."

He said, "I was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn't.
And I became a friend a friend would like to have.
And all of a sudden going fishin
wasn't such an imposition,
and I went three times that year I lost my dad.
Well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I'd do if I could do it all again."

"And then
I went sky diving,
I went Rocky Mountain climbing.
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu.
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying.
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying."

"Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about.
What would you do with it? What did you do with it?
What did I do with it?
what would I do with it?"

"Sky diving,
I went Rocky Mountain climbing,
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu.
And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
and I watched an eagle as it was flying.
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying."

ARE YOU READY?

Are you ready to live today and everyday like it was your last? If so, what changes do you need to make? Do you need some calamity to make those changes, or do you have the courage to make them today? I am ready to live today like I was dying. Will you join me?

    Feel free to add your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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I NEED $500:  If I receive another $500 before I leave Kenya on December 10, I can give two of our orphan ministries $1,000 each to buy food. Can you help me out?  If you can, please do so through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.  Write and tell if me if you send a check and I will front the money until I get home. Thank you and God bless you.

 

 

KENYA TIME:  I will be in Kenya this coming week. I will be conducting a three-day seminar from December 5-7 for The Pacific Institute and then a one-day seminar on Saturday, December 10 for Royal and Rich.  I am attaching the Royal and Rich flier to this post (click on it to enlarge).  If you are interested in The Pacific Institute, I can send you plenty of material that describes exactly what that is - which is quite simply the best training for goal setting and change with which I have ever been involved!  Write me for more information and then invest in yourself at one or both of these outstanding seminars.