Steps to Personal Development: STEP UP
Over the next few weeks, Monday Meditations will be looking at “Steps to Personal Development” and the four steps that we, as Corpath, can take to ensure we move wisely, intentionally and on purpose as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Requirement: Bravery, Faith
Assuming you are like me, I’m sure you have encountered times when you have been called to do something that nobody else could do. There may have been times when it seemed the only person that had a vision of how to do something was you. Maybe there have been other instances when someone just needed to do something to keep a project or situation moving forward, and you were the person to get things going.
Before we get started with this topic, take a moment, and answer this question:
Q: What does it mean to “step up” to do something?
When I think about the times in my life and career that caused me to “step up”, I’m often reminded of unpleasant situations that required me to act and meet them head-on. I recall risks that had uncertain outcomes and tragedies that were thrust upon me. Looking back, it seemed, at times, I was the only person who may have had the skill and competency (or ignorance?) to do something within a situation.
As leaders, we are often faced with “managing the VUCA”; things that are:
Volatile
Uncertain
Complex
Ambiguous
Let me give you an example from my past…
I can recall a time when our business had decided to launch a new news business in Saskatoon and Regina at the same time. As a normal business practice, and to stifle competitive response, we often waited until the last possible minute before announcing our plans and taking action to launch our new endeavours. In this case, we needed to move from announcement to publishing our first edition in just two short weeks. That meant working with local city governments to receive appropriate approvals and permits, hiring staff, finding office space, securing outsourced printing and distribution providers, etc. within 14 days. Our first edition was to be out on the street in just two weeks! We had never opened two locations simultaneously and definitely not in such short order!
The situation was full of VUCA:
Volatile: One of the mayors told me he wasn’t sure the city even wanted us there.
Uncertain: We weren’t sure we could hire enough quality staff to launch immediately.
Complex: Finding the right locations to place over 600 newspaper boxes in each city was daunting.
Ambiguous: Wondering if these smaller markets could support our business.
I’m sure you also have many examples of how you have navigated through the VUCA in recent years. In fact, it’s likely a regular occurrence for many of you.
I believe the only way to manage through the VUCA is to “step up and start”. And in order to do that, we need a great deal of bravery and faith. It’s easier said than done!
When God calls you to do something specific, He’s asking you to “step up”. He has selected you for something unique and has already determined that you have the competencies to carry out the task. He needs your BRAVERY. By asking you to step up, He is also committing to provide you with whatever you need or whatever you are lacking. He needs your FAITH in Him.
We know that God doesn’t need our help to do anything, but the fact that He calls us means that He wants to teach us something. Stepping up often puts us in the “learning position”.
Consider these passages in scripture where others had to “step up” to accomplish God’s will:
1 Samuel 3:1-21
In this passage, the Lord wanted to develop Samuel as a prophet. Samuel’s response of “Here I am. Speak. Your servant is listening” was a clear indication that he was ready to step up to whatever God was calling him to do. (Bravery)
1 Samuel 17:32-51
In this passage, there was a GIANT threat to Israel that needed removing. David’s response to King Saul was “I’ll do it.” David was confident in his skills when protecting the sheep and immediately saw this situation as something similar. He knew that God plus anyone always creates an advantage! (FAITH). During the time of battle with Goliath, David ran out toward him. (BRAVERY) David stepped up to make something happen when nobody else could or would.
Jonah 1:1 - 3:10
God wanted to take His message to a sinful city. At first, Jonah did not step up to his calling. In fact, he ran in the opposite direction. However, God decided to do something drastic to get Jonah’s attention. After that, Jonah, full of gratitude and humility, agreed to step up and go to Nineveh to minister to them (BRAVERY).
Whenever asks anyone to do anything, He has already prepared the path through the VUCA!
Q: As you read these stories, in what ways have you been asked to step up in the past? How are you being asked to step up now?
We are all being called to “step up” to something unique, and your calling is different than mine. Choose to step-up to a “higher calling” this week.
For a short 2-minute video illustration about taking steps - watch “Take the Step” from your RightNow Media at Work subscription, free to you as a Corpath member. The link is here:
https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/123392
Prayer:
God, thank you for this message today. I know you are all-powerful and can do all things, and yet, you call me to help accomplish your mission and tasks. I am truly humbled by this. This week, I ask for bravery to say “yes, here I am.” when you call me. Remind me that faith in you accomplishes much more than I could ever imagine. Amen.
Steve Shrout
President
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 email 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.
