LIVING BENEATH THE WATER LINE
In the world of ministry, the path you travel consistently provides you with the opportunity to build one of two kingdoms: Yours or God's. When you start to build your own, you become the hero and any weakness or vulnerability revealed presents disaster, and your pedestal crashes beneath you. But if you choose to build God's kingdom, you allow authenticity to become a part of your ministry. People around you connect much quicker to an ordinary man or woman than to a superhero, so admit when you fall short or mess up. Realize that as you do, you provide hope to those looking up to you. Psalm 71 says, "Hope makes not ashamed." David begged God to search him, know him, and investigate his life inside and out. His sins put many of us in a good light, yet the Bible still refers to him as a man after God's own heart.
David wanted to please God, and endlessly worked to live life "below the water line," a phrase that comes from a story I read years ago...
From our motives to our hidden thoughts, we all carry weight below the water line. Deeper issues root us to be the tree David talks about in the first chapter of Psalms, "...that brings forth fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither, but whatever it does shall prosper." As a man or woman of integrity, I hope you remain a pastor or leader who stays afloat during the stormy seasons of life, by putting weight below the water line.
Living beneath the water line is not difficult. Quickly admit your mistakes and honestly give real life examples to your kids and your leaders. Do more than quote the Scripture, "There is none righteous, no not one," but follow the words, "I'm far from perfect..." with an actual moment when you blew it. I am not recommending that you admit to a constant struggle with lust, pornography, or some red flag issue. Keep those comments reserved for time alone with your accountability partner, but tell your teenagers about the time you lost your temper in traffic. Tell them that sometimes you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling. Tell them when you used a negative voice tone towards someone, and then went and apologized. Slowly as your examples will show those looking up to you authenticity and vulnerability, and it will be precisely those stories that will make them love you. Use a serious example, but use humorous examples too, and discover the truth that laughter is often the shortest distance between two points. Take your own embarrassing moments, and allow God to use them for His glory.
Every year I refine my ability to laugh at myself and release any pride I might harbor. Years ago I emceed at a formal Christmas banquet. I'd lost some weight and instead of fitting snugly around my waist, the taffeta skirt hung like a sack on me. Nearing the end of the event, I made my way to the front to close the evening out, and immediately felt a chilling breeze rush past my legs. I'd exposed myself to an entire crowd of teenagers, yet I was able to hide behind a large evergreen tree on the stage and call for my assistant to take the mic. Did my faithful assistant run to my rescue? On the contrary, the heartless individual, lay on the floor overcome with laughter. Did I survive? Yes, even when accusations came of using an inappropriate act to build attendance on Wednesday nights, the sun still rose the next morning and each teenager left with one more reminder that I too go through embarrassing, disappointing, less than perfect moments.
Stories may give us a reason to laugh, but it's much more than just retelling your most embarrassing moments. When your actions, your thoughts, your words don't reflect the Fruit of the Spirit to say the least, please have the integrity to admit it. Walk with your kids and leaders, not above them. The youth and young adult culture you and I are called to reach is begging for authenticity. Before they open up to you they're waiting to see if you struggle with things too. Keep ever before them the only One who was perfect, and continually remind them He is our Answer, our Truth, our Super Hero. Whether you work with junior high, high school, college or adult age individuals, the principle remains the same... people follow you by your strengths, but they connect to you through your weaknesses. Allow your life to weave into the lives of others, and it will turn your moments of being human into a beautiful tapestry that represents a life of authenticity.
David wanted to please God, and endlessly worked to live life "below the water line," a phrase that comes from a story I read years ago...
Michael Plant, an expert yachtsman, sailed all over the world and faced nearly every challenge the sea offered, yet in the fall of 1992, he attempted the feat of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Without a doubt, if anyone could do it, Michael could for he had the best equipment, the most navigational experience, and the highest level of safety equipment of anyone else around. But tragically, only eleven days into the voyage, rescuers found Plant's boat capsized and discovered the revered yachtsman floating dead in the water. The incident stunned everyone, but investigators soon discovered the one reason the expert sailor fell victim to a mild storm... there was not enough weight below the water line.
From our motives to our hidden thoughts, we all carry weight below the water line. Deeper issues root us to be the tree David talks about in the first chapter of Psalms, "...that brings forth fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither, but whatever it does shall prosper." As a man or woman of integrity, I hope you remain a pastor or leader who stays afloat during the stormy seasons of life, by putting weight below the water line.
Living beneath the water line is not difficult. Quickly admit your mistakes and honestly give real life examples to your kids and your leaders. Do more than quote the Scripture, "There is none righteous, no not one," but follow the words, "I'm far from perfect..." with an actual moment when you blew it. I am not recommending that you admit to a constant struggle with lust, pornography, or some red flag issue. Keep those comments reserved for time alone with your accountability partner, but tell your teenagers about the time you lost your temper in traffic. Tell them that sometimes you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling. Tell them when you used a negative voice tone towards someone, and then went and apologized. Slowly as your examples will show those looking up to you authenticity and vulnerability, and it will be precisely those stories that will make them love you. Use a serious example, but use humorous examples too, and discover the truth that laughter is often the shortest distance between two points. Take your own embarrassing moments, and allow God to use them for His glory.
Every year I refine my ability to laugh at myself and release any pride I might harbor. Years ago I emceed at a formal Christmas banquet. I'd lost some weight and instead of fitting snugly around my waist, the taffeta skirt hung like a sack on me. Nearing the end of the event, I made my way to the front to close the evening out, and immediately felt a chilling breeze rush past my legs. I'd exposed myself to an entire crowd of teenagers, yet I was able to hide behind a large evergreen tree on the stage and call for my assistant to take the mic. Did my faithful assistant run to my rescue? On the contrary, the heartless individual, lay on the floor overcome with laughter. Did I survive? Yes, even when accusations came of using an inappropriate act to build attendance on Wednesday nights, the sun still rose the next morning and each teenager left with one more reminder that I too go through embarrassing, disappointing, less than perfect moments.
Stories may give us a reason to laugh, but it's much more than just retelling your most embarrassing moments. When your actions, your thoughts, your words don't reflect the Fruit of the Spirit to say the least, please have the integrity to admit it. Walk with your kids and leaders, not above them. The youth and young adult culture you and I are called to reach is begging for authenticity. Before they open up to you they're waiting to see if you struggle with things too. Keep ever before them the only One who was perfect, and continually remind them He is our Answer, our Truth, our Super Hero. Whether you work with junior high, high school, college or adult age individuals, the principle remains the same... people follow you by your strengths, but they connect to you through your weaknesses. Allow your life to weave into the lives of others, and it will turn your moments of being human into a beautiful tapestry that represents a life of authenticity.