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This idea isn’t original to me, nor am I the best practitioner, but I have found that self-investment is important for every leader because we impart who we are. So an important question might be, who am I? And more important than how I measure up for a given healthy/unhealthy metric is this: am I growing healthier? No one is perfect, but if I am becoming more like Jesus, that is worth imparting to others!
As leaders, we have an obligation to keep our edge sharp. Thus, it’s important that we take stock of our personal health. This is something to do year round, but for those of us in college ministry, the early summer is a perfect season to step back and evaluate and maybe take some fresh steps.
Obviously the foundation is spending time with Jesus. It is all about Him; apart from Him we can do nothing! Spending time in His presence changes who we are (2 Cor 3:18). But Jesus created us and wired us to learn and grow through a variety of means. And I would like to share three areas to which I am looking as I consider self-investment this summer.
1. Reading
Leaders are readers, right?
Regular Bible reading is a must. If you aren’t already following a reading plan, they can be helpful. Personally, I’ve used several plans on the Bible App via my iPhone (also available on other platforms including any web browser) and loved them! There is one plan I’ve read multiple times and has been great for me and many others: Jesus Culture Bible Challenge: A 30 Day Journey.
But what else might we read?
Have you received prophetic words in the past? What about your church or college ministry? A few years back I collated a number of words I had personally received into a single document, that way I can easily review and be encouraged and inspired by them. In Paul’s first epistle to Timothy he says to wage warfare by prophetic words and for Timothy to give himself to them (1 Tim 1:18, 4:14). When God speaks, listen! Further, this summer I plan to spend some time reviewing prophetic words spoken over my local church.
Beyond that, read some books written by Christian leaders who’ve seen God move and have advice for us. I could recommend books all day, but to keep it simple: I just finished (and loved) Small Groups with Purpose: How to Create Healthy Communities, and in a couple days Finding Your Way Back to God: Five Awakenings to Your New Life will arrive, and I very much look forward to reading it.
And if you’re more of an audio learner, that’s cool too. Listen to messages and books on tape! I semi-regularly listen to Steven Furtick, Jim Cymbala, Matt Chandler, and Greg Boyd just to name a few.
I find that I rarely read anything that isn’t the Bible or a book directly related to an aspect of my faith. But such books can be helpful in expanding my imagination and understanding of various perspectives. A couple months ago I jumped at the opportunity to join some friends in a book club. First we read America by Baudrillard, then Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, and now some poems by Theodore Roethke. I am not specifically recommending these works, but they are definitely interesting and I appreciate reading them!
2. Running
I know, not very spiritual, right?
But for me, putting effort into running is healthy both physically (I used to weigh 270lbs) and spiritually; it is a very specific opportunity for me to grow in discipline. I have some goals, which I am very interested in reaching, but I will consider this a win if I’m running at least a couple of times each week.
God hasn’t called me to be a super athlete…I don’t have the genetic potential for such a thing, and trying to become one would waste a lot of time. But He has called me to take care of myself and to be self-controlled and diligent.
3. Friendship
The point of life isn’t information, it’s transformation. And the point isn’t even to read more and run more, it’s to be more like Jesus and closer to Jesus.
I need a few people in my life who will support and encourage me in these specific goals, and also be there to sharpen me in other areas, maybe concerning things of which I’m not yet aware! And, unfortunately, in the business of life, sometimes relationships grow a little distant. This is a good time to approach a couple of my closest friends and strengthen those connections, for their sake and for mine.
We need someone else to be a part of our personal growth. For support, for encouragement, for accountability.
These three areas are not the end all, but hopefully they will help you as you consider your own self-investment.
photo credit: What I’m Currently Reading 4 via photopin (license)
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