Next Level

I remember when I worked an Information Technology (IT) job. It was outside of the larger organization’s IT department. You see, the organization was a PC based campus. I was brought in to help change the culture and implement Mac usability, for the creative side of things, in a smaller academic department.  

As I attempted to implement culture change, I was convinced that two of the higher up IT managers hated my guts! I didn’t know why. Maybe it was because of the PC/Mac difference. Maybe it was because I was the only minority in the entire building. Maybe it was because I was brought in to change things, and you know that people hate change. One of the guys would write bullying emails to me and talk about me to other people in the organization.  The other would set me up for failure.  When I needed to direction, I would ask for his assistance. Because I was new, he would give me bad information, then go to my boss’s boss to put me down.  I know this because my bosses boss talked to me to tell me what was going on behind my back. She wanted to get my perspective and to let me know that she was on my side. I guess I was an interruption in those guys plans.

One day, I got fed up and wrote a long email, telling them about themselves. I let my wife read it. She said, “Do you really want to send this? What will it accomplish?”  I didn’t send the email. Being in that situation taught me patience. I learned how to deal with all people, no matter how they treated me or what others may think of me. God knew that I needed that lesson before I would become a pastor.  I know that my faith was being tested. It would have been easy to quit; to go back to my old job; to say, I’ve had enough of this stuff! But I know that God was up to something great and He was molding and shaping me for my Next Level experience. Now, when I encounter challenging people, or my patience is tested, I can look at those situations differently and say, “Thank you Lord” and smile because I know He is up to something great in me. He is taking me to my Next Level.

What trials, tests or challenges are you facing this week? Try to look at them differently by:

1. Seeing the positive in each situation

2. Changing your perception of the people involved and

3. Keeping an open mind

Press through your challenges this week.  You will build strength, patience, character.  You will persevere!

Tell us about a lesson you learned through being challenged in the comments below.

This weekend, I am starting a new series at the Vineyard Church - Syracuse titled Next Level. I hope you can join us in person or online at vineyardny.org.

Grow

Have you ever seen a tree grow?  Did it strain and struggle to push out fruit or leaves?  Did you hear it say, “Uuuhhhgggg!  I have to try harder to make more branches today! Arrrggghhh, my leaves aren’t full enough. I have to struggle to get them to grow!”  No, you haven’t, because as long as it gets water and sunlight, as long as it is in the right environment, it will grow.

Babies naturally grow...if you take care of them.  If you feed a baby properly, giving them the nutrition and quantity that they need, they will grow.  I was checking on my daughter as she slept last night and I noticed something, she is now sleeping in her bed diagonally. I realized, she is almost too long for her bed!  Now, my wife and I need to invest in a larger bed that will facilitate her growth for the next few years.

Growth comes naturally when it is properly facilitated.

1. What area are you growing in?  
   
2. What do you need to change around you to facilitate your growth?
   
3. What can you do to maximize your growth?
   
4. What is blocking or hindering your growth?

Sometimes we hinder our own progress by putting off the steps we need to engage.  We may become distracted by life, our kids, our job, our health and/or our circumstances.  I know there is an area in your life that you want to grow in. You may have already started and become distracted.  I want to challenge you to choose ONE area in your life that you would like to grow in and take ONE step this week to fulfill that, to grow, to develop, to achieve success. Most positive things in life won’t happen overnight.  They take preparation, determination and focus.  

You can do it! You can grow.  You can progress. You can advance.  You can develop. You can be all that you want to be, plus more!

Leave a comment below and tell us what step you will take this week.

Is The Rain Impacting Your Progress?

It's raining today in Syracuse, NY. There is no sunshine and I don’t see anyone outside enjoying themselves. Everyone I see seems to be on a mission to get to their destination. 

Many people living in Syracuse love the snowy weather, but I haven't seen the same sentiment expressed about the rain. 

The rain is interesting. It falls on everything in its path. It makes us uncomfortable, to the point that we rush to get out of it. Visual beauty seems to disappear in the rain. Everything absorbent becomes wet and soggy. Dirt becomes mud. Rain brings about dangers to our modern society. Roads become slippery, electricity becomes more of a hazard. Too much rain may cause flooding in certain areas, which can bring about drownings, disease and other safety issues. I have also noticed that people tend to smile less in the rain. 

The rain is interesting. Even though it seems to bring so much depression, it is actually the miracle we all rely on. It sustains life on our planet. It is the source of our drinking water. It causes our food sources to be plentiful. I read somewhere that work productivity increases when it rains. Finally, someone told me that its great to make out in the rain 😚.

No matter how much we may be hindered by the rain; no matter how much chaos it may bring to our immediacy; no matter how much it may delay us from reaching our destinations; no matter the dangers that it my present; no matter the obstacles it may create for us, we have to keep in mind that eventually it will work out for our benefit. 

If you are experiencing trouble in your life right now, know that your greatest blessing will come out of that challenge, if you endure it.  You have what it takes to overcome it or you would not be trusted with it. God is working something out within you to make you stronger, wiser, and better equipped for the plans He has for your future.  When it rains on you today, put up your umbrella and stand tall in the midst of the storm. Keep progressing to your destination.  You will make it.  The rain is only temporary. The sun will eventually shine. 

Until you get to that great moment, focus on your progress; work diligently to conquer your challenges and keep in mind that your victory is on the way! You have the strength to make it, you just have to believe that God has given you everything you need to endure and advance.  Continue progressing.