Keeping the Corpath Experience REAL
Keeping the Corpath Experience REAL
Philippians 2:1-4
Over the next four weeks, Monday Meditations will be presenting four unique ideas for making the most out of your Forum Group experience.
Welcome back!
I trust your summer was great and full of recreations and sunshine. Now, as summer fades and the fall season starts to take over, we begin the next Corpath year with enthusiasm and a personal commitment to participate well within our individual Forum Groups.
As your group reconvenes, I wonder what will be different for you this year. Did your group change any of the members? Has anyone in your group started a new job or business? Maybe someone has moved to a new location. Perhaps a member has experienced a significant life-event that needs support and prayer. Real life happens everyday. So, how do we keep the Corpath Forum Group experience REAL as well?
In this case, when I say “REAL”, I’m actually thinking about four unique ways your group can operate with transparency and high integrity while providing a safe space for members to share and walk through the Christian journey together.
Using the word REAL as an acronym for the four ideas, the first idea we wish to discuss is “RESPECT”.
Q: What is your definition of the word “RESPECT”? Take a moment to think about what it means to you.
Respect is something we are all called to give, although the idea is very subjective. The way I show respect to one member might be a bit different than the way shown to another. In other instances, I may feel disrespected by the way I was treated while others would not feel any disrespect at all even when treated the exact same way.
When we come to the Corpath table to meet with our Forum groups we all bring our past experiences that continue to shape us. We bring our successes and failures. We bring our confidences. We bring our fears and our desires. And many of these things aren’t known to everyone in the group. The dynamics that exist around the table are unique and complex. Our Forum Group meetings are a place for individuals to participate with a “give and take” mindset that adds value to everyone present.
When I think of showing RESPECT, in the forum group sense, I think about providing space for others to “give” (share) of themselves. I also believe that showing respect and regard for others requires me to be willing to give of my thoughts and contributions openly. Not participating or contributing could, perhaps, be perceived as a sign of disrespect.
Another way we can show respect is to “take” graciously when others are giving of themselves. At times, you might be the person that requires support. You might be the one in need. Allowing your Corpath brothers and sisters to share their thoughts and prayers with you, and receiving them with good intentions, is a sign of respect as well.
Showing RESPECT is also conveyed in the ways we conduct ourselves and care for the others in the group. We may not completely understand other’s situations or fully agree with their assertions. Giving respect is the act of allowing others to express their thoughts without the fear of ridicule or contempt from others. It’s choosing to show a genuine interest in our forum group members and recognize them as a unique and imperfect child of God.
Considering this passage: Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT) says this;
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.“
This is wise counsel.
Q: How does this passage help you better understand the idea of promoting RESPECT within your forum group?
Showing respect, in the Corpath Forum Group sense, requires us to come together in equality. To be fully present. To be honest, open and participatory. If this can be done, then your Corpath experience will truly be REAL.
PRAYER:
My Heavenly Father, I thank You for caring for me. I thank You for giving me the opportunity to connect with my Corpath group as we journey in the Christian faith together. I ask that You remind me to be respectful in all ways and in all situations. I pray that my participation with the group this year would be a true reflection of my relationship with You. Amen.
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
