Being-Haved

Think on this…our whole lived we are told to behave. This is the goal of all children, to act in a way as to not bring shame on your parents. I remember times when I was misbehaving and someone would tell me ‘I’m telling your mom’. That would often be just the encouragement I needed to act better. That was the problem, I was acting, I wasn’t actually better I was just trying to perform well. You could find me later doing the very same things. It was an issue of Character verses Behavior.

Behavior is what you see when people try to live up to cultural norms. Character is who you are when no one is looking. It’s the seat of your moral center. You can alter behavior, but your underlying Character will eventually present itself. Whether good or bad your character will ultimately breakthrough. We are not usually taught how to develop those inner attributes to ensure good character. Internally do we not only understand why we are to behave, but are we in agreement. That is when we start to touch approach the inward character.

If we learn to deal with our character then our habits change automatically not the other way around. Nothing just happens. The issue is often that we have refused or neglected to deal with our character. The bible says, “For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! … First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.” Matt 23:25-27 I am learning to work on the person within, and I encourage you to do the same…Just a thought.

Just Sick

Think on this…I have been under the weather lately and I am desperately trying to shake it. The crazy thing is, I know exactly where this came from. I have been burning the preverbal candle at both ends and in the middle. I have been speaking quite frequently, I am in a training class, I just sent the final version of my book, etc. Things are busy, and my body is having a hard time keeping up. I am not complaining because I love my life. It can be challenging, but this is much better then the former. I used to work two jobs and I was sick more often as my body just couldn’t keep up.

I have learned that sometimes, sickness comes right when you need to slow down. It is just interesting that our bodies are made that way. I have learned to appreciate my bodies’ ability to make me slow down. I find comfort in that. Why? Because I am prone to run myself ragged. So slowing down is a good thing for me.

What is the solution? I think it’s learning to slow down more frequently. The Bible has a perfect solution; it’s called a Sabbath. One day in a week to rest, really rest. Now, I am not one of those people that thinks we need to not buy food, or wash clothes on Saturday, but it is biblical that 1 day out of 7 we rest. The Bible says, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10 There will always be more to do. If we don’t learn to rest, we might not be around long enough to actually get it done…Just a thought.

Hypocritical

Think on this…I believe there is a little hypocrisy in most of us. Now, I know that is a bad thing for a preacher to say. It’s the nature of man is to say one thing and do another. I remember the old adage ‘do what I say and not what I do’. How many parents, even if they have not said it, have done it? Don’t smoke, yet they smoke. Don’t lie, yet the tell stories about Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny. That is hypocrisy.

I wrestle with that as well. I tell people to keep their minds and hearts clean, but I am sometimes challenged with my own. I am not saying that I have killed someone, or committed adultery, but in the areas people deem less important I sometimes struggle. The truth of the matter is that God sees all sin the same. So what do you do with your own hypocrisy?

The correct approach is to deal with your own heart. It doesn’t mean that truth is not truth and doesn’t need to be communicated. It’s my responsibility to remain as clean as possible on the inside and do my very best preach what I practice. The bible says, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:5 As I continue to deal with my own issues I am more capable to help others. That’s the remedy for hypocrisy…Just a thought.

Oscars

Think on this... I love the Oscars. I guess it’s the whole spectacle and grander of the event that draws me in. I try to forget that the awards are mostly political. I try to forget that we as society place some of these people on such a high pedestal that they will never live up to our expectations. I even try to forget that there are more pressing issues in the world. I just enjoy the moment for what it is and nothing more.

It kind of reminds me of heaven. How? We one day we will be ushered down a long runway. In that moment our work will be evaluated. Whether we lived up to the hype or fell flat. How many resources were invested verses the quality of the end product. In that moment will we be adorned correctly or will we be ill dressed for the occasion. Ultimately, will we receive any rewards for our work or will we just be happy we were invited at all.

The reality is that we will all be evaluated for the work we do in this life. The pomp and circumstances aside, what truly matters is that moment. “This proves that the conscience is like a law written in the human heart. And it will show whether we are forgiven or condemned, when God appoints Jesus Christ to judge everyone's secret thoughts, just as my message says.” Romans 2:15-17 On that day I want to walk away with the prize…Just a thought.

Finding Your Strength

Think on this…I have been very busy lately speaking, teaching, mentoring, and writing. The cool thing is, that is what I am supposed to be doing with my life. That is why I desired to leave Corporate America to more fully find my area of greatest effectiveness. It’s all based on my personal strengths and abilities. I can’t take credit for them, all I can do is maximize what God has given me.

We all need to find the areas in which we absolutely ROCK! We can spend so many years of our lives drifting through our days only wanting more. But, we rarely take the time to mine out the richness that is within to discover the treasure beneath. It’s not an easy process, and it could take some people years, but it’s worth the time. So many people ignore that deep calling and in their 40’s and 50’s they have a radical realization that they have wasted their lives. This is called the mid-life crisis. This can be avoided by searching for significance sooner rather than later.

Life is way too short to be wasted on pursuits that don’t satisfy. God cares about the work you do. “God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:10 If God cares about what you do, then it makes sense that he would help you discover it. But, you must do your part by intentionally looking inside to find it. It’s a worthwhile expedition…Just a thought.

Learning to Trust More

Think on this…about 9 months ago I lost my job. It was perfect for me because I was about to walk away from it. That to most people seemed like the worst thing imaginable in an economy such as ours. But, we believed God was leading me to do my life’s passion, which is to communicate a message of hope to the world, full time. That sounds good, but it doesn’t pay that much initially.

So, things have been lean in the Boyd household. On top of that we have my 18-year-old nephew living with us and that is like having 3 new mouths to feed. It would be awesome to tell you that money has flooded in and speaking opportunities are numerous, but that hasn’t happened. What has transpired is, every time we get low on funds more is made available. It’s a miracle. What has also happened is, I have finished my first book, College Impact, available next week. I have developed a website www.damianlboyd.com . I am a blog writing machine. I am tweeting and facebook-ing regularly. And yes, I have even done a speaking engagement here and there.

I have seen God in the process of trusting him with my life more fully. Either you trust God or you don’t. I have learned to allow Him to show Himself faithful and I have found He is. My responsibility is to continue trusting Him. “ But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 I love the old hymn, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take Him at His word. Just to wait upon his promise. Just to know thus saith the Lord” …Just a thought.

Another Twit that Tweets

Think on this…I recently joined the twitter craze. I have been fighting it for a while, not because I am against technology. Not because I am an old man that doesn’t understand what the kids are doing nowadays (well maybe a little). My reluctance was more an issue of self-preservation. From what? Narcissism! I have a tendency to think too much of my life and myself and minimize what is most important. Twitter seems to feed that practice.

Twitter enables the narcissist by making their every thought, whim, and experience news worthy. I AM NOT THAT IMPORTANT, and neither are you. Whether or not I had eggs or cereal for breakfast this morning is not something to broadcast to the world. Even worst, many people are hoping to say something provocative enough to gain global, wide spread, acclaim and acquire their 15 min. of fame.

So, to protect my own heart I have been resisting Twitter. I had some of my good friends fuss at me lately, because I was not apart of the cool crowd. They reminded me that I have a book coming out, I speak to young adults regularly, and as far as they are concerned I have something important to say. So, here is my compromise, I endeavor to tweet something important and meaningful, and as always make much of God and less of me. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 I don’t want to be another twit that tweets…Just a thought.