by Lance Cashion | Jan 15, 2015 | Education, Goal Setting, Jesus Christ, Lance's Philosophy, Leadership, News, Personal Growth, Relationships, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Worldview |
We take up our cause because we believe it is right and good. We know that it is good and we are passionate about reaching the good result. Somewhere along the path toward our goal of achieving what is right and good, we can fall into the trap of the wrong way.
Winning at all costs is not winning. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Mt. 16:26) If I have not love in my heart as I pursue what is right, I fail. If I love the object of the rightness of my cause and have no love for those on the path, I have created an idol. When my pursuit of what is right destroys fellowship and unity causing division, I have not love in my heart. I have gone the wrong way.
The heart will produce fruit that will manifest in reality. By the fruit, the wise can discern the motivation of the heart. We can attempt to manufacture ‘good fruit’ but eventually the facade will crumble and we will be found on the wrong way.
In the pursuit of doing the right thing, our way must be the way of love. It is a matter of the heart. The heart is the seat of the will. Our motivations are born in the heart.
The right way
A heart that is authentically regenerated and transformed will produce spiritual fruit in one’s life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23).
The wrong way
A heart that is not transformed remains under the authority of darkness and rebellion is completely incapable of producing spiritual fruit in one’s life. The bible calls this state of the heart ‘the flesh.’ “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these…. those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal 5:19-21b)
Doing the right thing the wrong way
There are examples in the Bible of people doing the right thing the wrong way. Cain’s sacrifice was not pleasing to the Lord because of his motivation. Abraham and Sarah’s decision to use Hagar to provide an heir. Jacob and Rebekah’s deception of Isaac to attain Esau’s inheritance. Somewhere along the path toward their goal of achieving what is right and good, they fell into the trap of the wrong way.
How do we know we are doing the right thing the RIGHT way?
- Pray it through: Why am I really pursuing this ‘good thing’? Is it to earn points with God or man? What is truly motivating me? What is driving me toward this cause or goal?
- Check your fruit: Keep a journal on your journey and look for fruit.
- Test it with Scripture: Read God’s word and allow it to minister to you. Don’t treat it like a cafeteria where you pick and choose what supports your goal/mission.
- Be Accountable: ‘Iron sharpens iron.’ (Pr. 27:17) Share what you are doing with a brother or sister who will test you and hold you accountable. They must be able to ask the tough questions. Don’t trust yourself because you can deceive yourself. Get a trusted friend to help.
The way of love ties it all together.
“Grace and truth need each other. Grace ceases to be grace if it lacks truth. And truth loses its power if it lacks grace. Grace without truth sanctions and perpetuates unwanted actions…. Truth without grace is harsh, usually self-centered, and un-Christlike. Grace without truth is deceptively permissive, often lazy and equally un-Christlike… Should I show grace or should I tell the truth?’ Both. Love unites grace and truth.” – Bill Robinson
by Lance Cashion | Nov 17, 2014 | Encouragement, God, Jesus Christ, Lance's Philosophy, Leadership, News, Personal Growth, Uncategorized, Wisdom |
My job is pretty awesome. I get to work with great leaders all day, everyday. Most of whom you will never hear of because they are not famous. However, they are leading effectively and having an impact in the lives of others. They demonstrate the power of humility.
I have had the privilege of meeting some pretty spectacular leaders in my life. Some are well-known around the world while others are only known by a few. It makes no difference whether they are a celebrity or not. Popularity is not important to me, humility is important. Humility is the fulcrum of great leadership. Hubris is fatal to leadership.
Observation: Looking for what is important
When I meet a leader for the first time, I go into observation mode. I watch and listen. How they treat me is of little importance. But, how they interact with the waiter at lunch or their assistant or spouse is of monumental importance. I love confidence in a leader. However, when I find their confidence is undergirded by a humble spirit, I’m pretty much on board! I’m going to engage, listen and respond with ‘how can I help?’ or encouragement.
Words say a lot
How a leader refers to themselves in relation to others is important. Do they speak in terms of ‘me vs. them’ when talking about their team? Are they willing to be vulnerable and transparent, willing to communicate failures with a smile and a chuckle? When they talk about loss, is there tear in their eye? Do they genuinely elevate and esteem others?
The power of humility cannot be manufactured. However, it can be cultivated. In the depths of humility, confidence in leadership is found.
Do you want to be a good leader?
Learn the value of humility, cultivate it and integrated it into every part of your life. The power of humility is at the core of great leadership and it acts as a magnet drawing in others. Humility is also a compass that reminds you of your own brokeness. We should strive to be truly humble.
What does the power of humility look like?
One of the best examples comes from the bible when Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.
“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him….
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:3-5, 12-17).
Paul describes Christ’s humility in Philippians 2. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
How do we cultivate humility?
Discover your motives and measure your responses
- Are you using humility as a cover for selfishness?
- Who’s interest do you really have in mind? Yours or someone else?
- Are you teachable?
- How do you respond when things do not turn out the way you intended? Do you lash out or become bitter?
- Do you gossip about other leaders or team members?
Find ways to set aside self
- What can I give up today for the benefit of someone else?
- How can I quietly, perhaps anonymously use my talent, resources and influence to help someone else accomplish something important in their life?
- Think about how limited your time is in this life. Death is the great equalizer and it is a friend of humility. What would I do or say to someone else today if I knew it would be my last?
- Pray. When we humble ourselves before a holy, all powerful and loving God, we realize our finitude and dependency.
“Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward… Abide hard by the Cross (of Jesus Christ), and search the mystery of his wounds.” (Charles Spurgeon).
by Lance Cashion | Nov 12, 2014 | God, Jesus Christ, Lance's Philosophy, News, Personal Growth, Theology, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Worldview
I’ve struggled with a lot of things that controlled my life. Whether is was drinking, smoking, drugs or my desire to pursue selfish pleasure, I found myself under the control of these things. When something controls our desires and motivations, we are essentially in bondage to that desire. Many times we’re not even aware that we’re in bondage.
I found that a quick examination of my thoughts and fears reveal what has control over me. It requires complete honesty and transparency. (more…)
by Lance Cashion | Nov 6, 2014 | Lance's Philosophy, News, Personal Growth, Philosophy, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Worldview
If it is raining outside, how you ‘feel’ about the rain won’t stop it from raining. The reality of the rain cannot be changed by how you feel about it. If you refused to believe that it is raining outside, all you need to do is walk outside and you’ll experience reality in the form of water falling from the sky.
How you ‘feel’ about your situation does not change the reality of it. When a person denies reality, they deny truth. When they deny truth, failure will be the outcome. Denying reality is the same as intentionally believing a lie. When one makes choices based on lies, reality will be the wall on which one breaks himself.
In the final analysis, failure is the only outcome when decisions are rooted in lies. Emotions don’t always correspond with reality. Emotions are important but not as a primary driver in decision making.
by Lance Cashion | Jun 23, 2014 | Encouragement, God, Lance's Philosophy, Leadership, News, Relationships, Uncategorized, Wisdom
Bear Grylls can start a fire in a monsoon and 85 mph winds with nothing more than a Twizzler and a soaking wet single match. You can too with a word of encouragement.
The world is a pretty harsh place. You never know where a person is at any given moment.
There have been times when I’ve been down then, out of the blue someone else reaches into my life with a simple word of encouragement.
There have been times when I’ve been upbeat and forging ahead. Again, here comes someone with a word of encouragement that propels me further than I thought I could go.
Words have the power to build-up or destroy. We must use them wisely.
Why do we find it so easy to tear someone else down yet difficult to hand them word of encouragement? By nature, humans are selfish little beasts! We often spend more time tending to our own fires instead of helping others stoke their fires.
It’s not all about you. Lift up your eyes and look around. Ask God the question; Who needs a genuine word of encouragement around me today?
Starters: Stoking the fire
- Hey, great work on that project last week!
- You are a great wife and mother, here’s why…
- You know, something you said to me last week really impacted me…
- I’ve watched you work hard and I want to tell you to keep at it!
- You have been a great waitress/waiter today, it blessed me. Keep up the great work.
If you look around and observe others, you will find an opportunity to stoke their fire with a word of encouragement.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thes 5:11)
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…” (Heb 10:24)
Share a time when someone has delivered a word of encouragement to you and how it felt by commenting below.
by Lance Cashion | Jun 12, 2014 | Encouragement, Family, Friendships, God, Jesus Christ, Lance's Philosophy, News, Personal Growth, Relationships, Trending Topics, Uncategorized, Wisdom |
When Kathryn and I were dating, her grandmother (lovingly called ‘Mom-mom’) began experience catastrophic health problems. She had a series of strokes and ended up in a full-time nursing facility. Kathryn’s parents visited her daily and cared for her needs. Kat and I would go visit her on occasion. It was tough for me because I did not have a close relationship with Mom-mom at the time.
It was while she was in assisted living center and later, nursing home that God created a beautiful doorway to enter into a relationship with Mom-mom. We got to know each other more and more as we visited. She spent many months in the home as her condition would deteriorate then improve, and deteriorate again.
On one occasion, Kat and her parents were all out of town at the same time. They asked me to check on Mom-mom while they were away. I remember that she was in bad shape, confined to a bed and surrounded by machines. So, I sat with her and talked to her as I held her frail hand in mine. We talked about Kathryn. I told Mom-mom how much I loved Kat. I made Mom-mom a promise that day. I promised her that I would take care of Kathryn no matter what happened. A few weeks later, sweet Mom-mom passed away.
Our daughter carries Mom-mom’s name, Lillian (Lilly). I still carry Mom-mom’s kindness and words of encouragement in my heart to this day.
What if God in his perfect wisdom creates doorways through suffering to bring people into authentic relationship?
Would this change your view of suffering?
It may be easier to recognize severe physical suffering. Perhaps you’ve had a family member who’s had a stroke and lost function of a section of their body? Or maybe you’ve seen the suffering that terminal cancer causes in a good friend?
“Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” (Unknown)
Walk through an entire day and you will come into contact with many types of suffering. In many cases suffering goes unnoticed unless you are connected in intimate relationship with a person. Also, suffering can have many layers and faces.
Loneliness, loss and depression are forms of suffering.
Losing hope is the worst kind of suffering.
Maybe it’s worth exploring suffering with spiritual eyes to see that when all the stuff we strive for in life is at the bottom of a trash heap, the only thing of lasting value is relationship. Suffering is everywhere! So, there are doorways everywhere to step through into relationship. I encourage you to consider what your life would be like if you stepped through a doorway. People have stepped into my suffering when I needed to be loved and supported.
Share your thoughts below!
Has someone stepped into your life when you were suffering?
Maybe you have stepped though the doorway into someone’s life?
