good vs great

I was thinking the other day about what makes the difference between those who achieve some good things in their lives, and those who achieve greatness, and it seems to me that the difference is not in the major decisions, but in the little ones. Part of the thought started because I'm struggling on a regular basis (especially at the moment, because it's cold, dark and raining) to be motivated to go to the gym - I'd really rather stay at home in the warmth (especially this week when I'm crook).

What strikes me is that the genesis of greatness is in the small decisions such as when you are lying in bed thinking "do I stay here for an extra 1/2 hour, where it's warm, dry, sleepy or do I get up and spend the extra time doing (insert something here)".

For athletes, it's the difference between choosing to stay at training a little bit longer when your body is already aching, and taking extra shots before or after practice, doing extra runs, or deciding to go in when everyone else does.

For musicians, it's the difference between choosing to go over the song that extra time, making sure that every note is covered, or deciding to go through the songs once or twice until you've got them under control.

For parents, it's the difference between choosing to spend that extra bit of time watching something you don't want to, reading that extra story, lying on their bed that little bit longer, playing for that extra 5 minutes, or deciding to do what you want (need?) to do.

For Jesus-followers, it's the difference between choosing to stop and listen, reflecting on the Words you've just read, making a conscious effort to make someone else feel loved, or deciding that you've done your devotion, you've served all day, and you want to put your feet up.

Note that in all of those things, the 2nd choice is not at all a cop-out - those people are putting in, most definitely. But greatness seems to come from making the small decisions to go that little bit further, do that little bit extra, give up that little bit more.

slow down...

Yesterday, we had a men's golf day for our church. It was great - perfect weather, and our team (we played by the Ambrose scoring method) came second.

On the way to golf in the morning, I went past a sign that said "Slow Down". Given that I was driving through beautiful countryside, on a crisp morning, with the sun beaming in my windows, on my way to a morning of golf, this was a great reminder of what I was about to do - slow down.

But it got me thinking - I wish there were more "Slow Down" signs in my life - especially when there was danger around the corner. It would be so great if God could prop a Slow Down sign in front of me when I was about to enter a time of increased caution - a narrow bridge, a slick on the road, maybe part of the road where no lines were marked.

I think all of us need to be reminded from time to time that we can't keep going at the same pace all of the time - sometimes, if we want to keep going on the journey we're on, we need to take our foot off the accelerator, and be more aware of what is going on around us.

Slow down...

where's the time go...?

I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks since I last wrote something on here... oops! It's funny how easy it is to just get bogged down in life, rushing from one thing to another, and not really taking any time to stop and think (and therefore have something to blog about...)

Part of my distraction has been that I finish up as the Director of Worship at our church this weekend. My role is returning to being solely focussed on ministry with youth and young adult's, which I can't wait for. For the last few years, I've been doing both roles, and it's been a lot of fun - there's been some challenges, but I believe (hope?) things are in a much better place now than they were when I started.

Now I get to focus in on my main passion, which I'm really blessed to be able to do. Hopefully I'll also get more time to read and reflect and post amazing, intelligent, deeply theologically, insightful comments on here (or at least what I've been thinking about, anyway).

This process has helped me sharpen what my primary calling and passion is, and challenged me to give up other things which I love and am passionate about, but which, ultimately are taking me away from the role I can play the best. What role do you play best and what's distracting you from it?

the star of the show

My friends Simon and Luke and I have been reading through "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller when we meet each fortnight - taking it a chapter at a time. Last week, we looked at the chapter on community (which I think is the one that challenges me the most). In it, Miller talks about how he (and I think most of us) function as though we are the star of the show - the central character in life - with other people coming onto our "stage" as we interact with them, saying their lines, then leaving.

I think this is deeply profound, because I know that's how I function most of the time - focussed on my lines, and whether people are adding or detracting to my story. Rarely do I consider what is happening in other people's stories.

It seems to me that if we each aimed to make other people feel like the stars (therefore being made to feel like a star by other people, instead of ourselves), true community would occur. It adds to the importance of listening, too, because in true listening we try to put ourselves in the other person's position - again, making them the star, rather than ourselves. It also to me embodies servanthood, because we aim to take the lowest position (the extra), rather than being the star.