Always Stay on Track
Because We Are Not Finished
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:1-2
Last Saturday I ended my time as a 50-something person. I want to thank all of you who reached out to be and offered greetings, gifts, calls, texts, emails, and videos to me. I was humbled and overwhelmed with the 300+ of you who helped make my day special. With my entry into this new decade, I have to stay on track because by God’s grace there is more of the race to be run.
This week is the end of school for grandkids and they are looking forward to put laying their daily regiment and begin to enjoy summer break. While the summer offers great times for the students and teachers, this is not the end of the process for them. Classes will resume and another semester will begin. It is important that these boys stay on track with reading and thinking because by God’s grace there is more of the race to be run.
Even with our ministry in Ghana we are coming to a time of change. The exact and specific plans are in place for the retirement of our long-time (and founding director) at the end of 2018. While Sammy will leave the role as Director he will transition into a new role on January 1, 2019 he has to stay on track because by God’s grace there is more of the race to run.
For my friends in the Core Training you are approaching the end of another semester with your coaches and students. You have worked diligently to see people reach their potential and think about their possibilities. I have a few things I hope we will all remember when we are facing a passage in life.
In the coming days please always offer three words to the people you care about. As leaders we must have time of evaluation, celebration, and imagination.
1) First there should be an Evaluation of the relationships. All of our relationships began somewhere and we must never forget from where we have come. This is always about remembering where we started. Too often we don’t pause and live with graciousness with those around us. We must never lose sight of the things needed but not deserved. Remind those in your care just how far God has brought them to this day. Keep them on track through evaluation.
2) Secondly have a time of Celebration in all your relationships. As we look back over the past 6 months, 12 months, or even 20 years (like Sammy in Ghana) there are so very many victories we have experienced. The celebrations keep people on track.
For you coaches I hope that you will not lose sight of the improvements that many of your students have made. While it is certainly true that, as in all areas of life, we are never where we need or want to be, we should always be grateful that we are not where we once were. Just as it is for those of us who have been redeemed by Christ … Paul said, “O wretched man that I am, but thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24-25) I encourage you to have a celebration with your students. This will instill in them the principle of gratitude.
3) Stay on track through imagination. Encourage your colleagues to understand that the possibilities and potentials for them are only limited by their desire, determination, and surrender. As long as we have breath within us we can continue to improve. One of the most amazing things I get to do with my team is when we sit together and imagine what might be. When we frame our vision planning into an Imagination summit we always realize more possibilities and it causes us to work better to realize the future. It always requires more generosity on the part of each person and thus fulfills the three G’s of life.
Today, I hope you will stay on track with Evaluation … Celebration … and Imagination.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith by staying on track with those around you.