Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
11/19/2021
Pillars made of Silver and those made of Stone. Which do you aspire to be?
In a house there are articles not only of Gold and Silver, but also of wood and clay, some are for noble purposes, and some are for ordinary uses. If a person does away with the latter, they will be an instrument for noble purposes, made incorruptible, and useful for their superiors and prepared to do a good work.
2 Tim 2 20 and 21
It is talking about being all you can be! As it relates to success and money and more importantly
to your values and character and to your relationship with God.
There are Pillars made of marble and those made of ordinary stone or wood. In comparing a surgeon’s stainless steel instruments and an old set of players, both might get the job done but there is a major difference.
People have a choice of what they stand for. You can stand for something ordinary or…YOU get to choose the type of instrument you will become. It is not just about the skills of our trade, but much more importantly, it’s about our skills in relationship building. Yes, we may be nice people overall, but we can still be very selfish and self-serving. Why did God put you here?
I look at President Lincoln who led this country through a civil war, brother against brother. How hard was that? We need to have heroes like Lincoln that we emulate. We need to stand tall like Lincoln. We need to stand alone at times. We need to learn how to keep people together and not divide them even though we are not in complete agreement. He prayed his way through the toughest decisions a nation could make.
1. We all make mistakes and don’t behave at our best at all times.
But we need to be accountable and know our core values, know who and what we have been trained to do and trained to be, and contribute to the team or family. James 3:2, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”
2. Know your role. Do a few things well. Yes, we will have challenges but take the high ground. Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow”.
3. Bring others along with you. Mentor someone and share what you know. Mentor someone whose hindsight can become your foresight.
4. Height matters: Ever want to look up and go wow? Height and width and stability of a pillar matter. Be a part of a leadership team, by being a leader and a giver. Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
5. Lastly alignment matters. When a car’s front end is out, it will eat up your tires and suspension: Be unwilling to compromise and align yourself with the company and the team that meets your values. Don’t be unequally yoked. Jeremiah 10:2 “Thus says the Lord,
“Do not learn the way of the nations,
And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens
Although the nations are terrified by them;”
Timothy 2:21 is about cleansing oneself from what was “dishonorable” and “ordinary” so he could be a vessel for “honorable” use. In other words, those greatly used by God are those who pursue a holy life.
The chatter all over town is coming back to the way the people of Grace Family Church touch people. We are the talk of the town, exceptional service, beautiful people, building lasting relationships, and pointing people to Jesus Christ. As we go into Thanksgiving week, maybe someone you know doesn’t have someone to be with. Is there room at your table for another couple or family or single parent with kids? Blessings on each of you for your part of an incredible year.
We are on an incredible journey together. We are strong together, better together and each of you has contributed even by choosing Grace as your church. Let’s pray about how we can grow closer to God as we grow closer to each other. Can there be a better time than one of thanksgiving?
Cece Winans Alabaster Box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QG3rhbIO4
