I got an e-mail today from a friend of mine who was blown away by the reality of how God grew her and her husband in generosity over this past year. She hadn't really realized the difference until she received her year-end giving statement from the church. She is celebrating the change. And motivated to continue growing in generosity.
I've had many conversations with another friend who is getting ready to step into a new role at work. This role will challenge her yet I feel confident she is ready for this new adventure. She says often that she would not have been ready for this challenge a year ago. But she has learned and grown as a leader and now feels the time is right for this next step.
I had a meeting with a guy yesterday who wants to be held accountable for raising the level of his performance in his job. He is inviting me to be more directly involved in challenging him. He wants to be held to a higher standard. He wants to grow and take the ministry he is leading to the next level.
Sadly, I've watched other people squander opportunities for growth... The person who takes the first step to get involved in serving others but the fear of commitment causes them to shrink back... The person who blames and accuses after a disappointment instead of allowing vulnerablity and personal responsibility lead to change... The person who never takes the time to reflectively allow God to speak...
I've been both of these people at different times in my life. At times eager to grow. At other times hiding behind excuses.
How about you? Is your character any different than it was in February 2007? Do you look like a more mature version of the Christ-follower you were last year? Do you know who you want to be? Have you done anything to move towards becoming that person?
I hope none of us ever settles for the same.
It makes me think about Leap Year. We don't have February 29th 3 out of every 4 years so why doesn't it "feel" like an extra day? Extra time we didn't have before? I think there should be a rule that none of the normal stuff that happens in a day should be allowed to happen on February 29th. It should be one big global bonus day. No meetings. No school. No schedules. OK, I guess policeman and hospital workers would still need to work, but couldn't the rest of us have one big party day?
