Crossroads – Are You Facing One?

Reflections – Crossroads

By Steve Crowley

 

They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Mark 10:32 (NLT)

Uncertainty, doubt and the great unknown, are the fearful three. We hate to encounter these fears, but we all have faced or will face them at some point in our lives. Do you feel you are standing at a crossroad in your life where you have to make a decision? You cannot stand still, yet the decision of which way to turn seems to be clouded or unclear? We have all faced circumstances or decisions at some point in our lives, where we’ve reached a dead-end or need to make a decision, but we really don’t have all the answers. So, what do we do?

In 2004, after thirty years in a career within the Financial Services industry, I reached that proverbial crossroad. I had thrived in this industry for years, but in 2004 this industry was still reeling from a combination of turmoil from the terrorist attack on 9/11 and years of consolidation within the industry. To be perfectly transparent, my crossroad was a journey in the making. Events in my life began to occur, distancing me from a career in corporate America, what I thought was my life calling. For reasons unbeknownst to me, God had different plans for me.

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the ones he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6 (ESV)

While I certainly didn’t understand why I was now standing at the crossroad of uncertainty, after years of a successful career, I finally realized God was trying to get my attention. You see, I’m a bit hardheaded and relied on myself, and not God, to meet my needs.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)

It took God empting me of myself, and placing me at the crossroad of helplessness and despair for me to look up. With no direction in life whatsoever, God inspired me to look up and realize that it wasn’t me who was in charge, but to rely on Him – God. Once I was broken of self-reliance, I asked Christ into my heart and surrendered to His will knowing I could no longer rely on mine. I learned obedience through the affliction of uncertainty and despair, and by His grace, I opened my heart and submitted to His will.

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)

If you are standing at your crossroad and the fear of uncertainty grips you, stop and listen for that small whisper of the Holy Spirit calling you, then respond. God isn’t so much interested in our comfort as he is in our character. For God’s will is our sanctification, being transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“We can never have the peace of God until we are at peace with God.” – Dr. Ike Reighard

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Our God is a faithful God who loves us beyond our capability to comprehend. Just pause long enough to think about the fact God created you (Psalm 139:13-14). He choose you and adopted you as one of His own, a child of God (John 15:16, Romans 8:16-17). God knows you so well that He even numbered the hairs on your head and He knows everyone of your days before one ever occurs, (Matthew 10:30, Psalm 139:16).

So the next time you stand at the crossroads of life, look up and say, “Here I am! Send me.” “Not my will but Your will be done Lord.”

Crossroads are times for decisions, but decisions without the counsel of our Creator only lead to detours.

 

O faithful and loving Father, our words are so inadequate to express our thanks to You. You loved us so much that before the foundation of the world, You decided to send Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to do what we are incapable of doing. He died upon the cross without blemish or sin so that we could be righteous in Your sight. Thank you!  

Father, we humbly fall before Your almighty throne of grace, asking You for more grace as we look to You. Lord, may our crossroads be Your flashing light calling us to surrender to Your will.

For it is in the name of Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit that we pray.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)

Amen

Entitlement – If it Worth Having Its Worth Working For

Entitlement

By Steve Crowley

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (ESV)

Webster’s defines “entitlement” as a belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges. In others words, “owed” something without earning it. When an individual or a people/society feel they are owed something they lose the satisfaction that comes from earning a reward for the efforts put forth.

Entitlement results in a lack of respect of ownership. When you work for something you take pride in its achievement, when you feel entitled you loose perspective of achievement.

“If this country is ever demoralized, it will come from trying to live without work.” ― Abraham Lincoln

Growing up, I remember my father teaching me that a hard days work resulted in a hard day’s pay. There was no such thing as a free lunch. If you wanted something, work hard, save and hopefully you would be able to attain what you wanted. As a result, I never adopted a sense of entitlement. Why would I? I was born in America, the land of opportunity where everyone could pursue the American dream. If you worked hard enough and applied yourself there was nothing you could not achieve, right?

There was something about applying yourself coupled with pursuing your dreams that keeps one humble. Stop and think about that for a moment…. When we achieve a goal there is a certain sense of accomplishment, an internal satisfaction that reveals deep within our spirit a dependence upon the One who gifted us verses independence of self-achievement.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 (ESV)

When we pursue our dreams, most consider the cost to achieve. Do I have what it takes to achieve my goal? Personally, when I begin to take inventory of my abilities to achieve any given goal I come up with a mental inventory of pluses and minuses. Do I have what it takes? If not, what do I need to do to mitigate my weaknesses so I can achieve my goal? I count the cost.

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Luke 14:28 (ESV)

Counting cost keeps one humble. There is nothing a person cannot achieve if he or she is willing to pay the price.

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:26, 27 (ESV)

Unfortunately we are living in a time where many are ignoring the Word of God and have become expectant of others to do what they themselves should be doing. We have a society puffed up by expectation of entitlement.

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Proverbs 13:4 (ESV)

I am amazed by the growing sentiment among those who are coming of age to enter the work force. It appears there is an expectation of receiving verses applying. I can remember many years ago when I entered the job market. I was a in a job where my income was okay but the profession wasn’t a match for my skills. I decided to change jobs and in doing so I accepted the fact I was going to start back at square one and prove myself once again in order to get ahead. I accepted a sixty percent pay cut because I thought the upside would be better in the long run if I applied myself and succeeded.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

God tells us we are to work and to use the skills, talents and gifts He has given us. Therefore we should humble ourselves before The Lord and work diligently in the name of The Lord.

Gracious and merciful Father, Holy is Your name. Father, we humbly come before Your Almighty Throne of grace seeking You. Father, we thank You for the gifts You have bestowed upon us and we pray for diligence in our work and all that we do so we are contributors to Your Kingdom not takers. Father, strengthen us, bless us for the work You have created us to do.

For just as Your Son did the work You destined Him to do, may we do Your will. For it is in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ that we pray.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change – Why do we fear it?

Change

By Steve Crowley

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13 (ESV) 

Some of us fall into the trap of allowing the past to inhibit the future. We get a myopic perspective to the possibilities of what the future holds because we are held prisoner to our past. We would much rather hold onto the past or the status quo rather than accept change.

Change! We hate change, right? The fact is, we constantly change. Before you jump on the bandwagon of saying you hate change, consider for a moment that people love change! People change fashions, they change their hairstyle, they change jobs, they relocate, they re-arrange their furniture, they travel to new places, and they re-arrange their lives on a regular basis. The truth is people love change. What people actually dislike is uncertainty, the great fear of the unknown or the loss of control. So rather than embrace change, we hold on to the past. “I am comfortable with it.” “It may not be perfect but I know what to expect.” And of course the old adage, “This is the way it has always been so why change?”

The fear of the unknown and/or the loss of control crept into our subconscious because they are both rooted in trust. Either we do not trust in those whom initiated the change or we do not trust ourselves. As hard as it is to believe, sometimes we fear change because we lack confidence in our own ability to adapt. We question how we fit into the new paradigm or what our roles will be. The bottom line, change challenges us to examine ourselves and sometimes we don’t like what we see.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NASB)

How do we forget the past and prevent it from hindering us from embracing what may be God’s will for us? We need only look at what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi.

Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13c-14 (NASB)

Focus on what lies ahead! In other words, we are to look beyond our circumstances to the possibilities of what lies ahead. In Paul’s reference in his letter to the church in Philippi, the focus was on the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. It helps to put this statement into perspective when you consider the fact that Paul was in a Roman dungeon shackled in chains facing utter uncertainty. Wow, what a perspective we should have in handling uncertainty in our lives! 

Embrace change and place your uncertainty before the cross.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

Heavenly and Gracious Father, blessed be your name. Father, we humbly come before you with prayers of thanksgiving for knowing what is best in our lives. Father, by you, and for you, you created all things and by your hand you hold all things together for your good. Blessed be your name.

Father, by your grace you give us opportunities to grow, to stretch, and to become the people you intend us to become. Father, our prayer to you is to open our eyes with eager expectations to what could be rather than what was. Father, may we be open to change looking to you for strength to see us through. Father, we acknowledge that some change can be painful and that we as humans resist pain, help us to endure so that we may see your glory in your work in us.  

Father, gracious and merciful Lord of all, we place our trust in you and lean not on our own understanding knowing that you have a plan for us a plan to bring us hope and a future. Blessed be your name.

Father, it is in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior that we pray.

 Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Becoming Unforgettable – Are You Authentic?

Becoming Unforgettable

By Steve Crowley

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. (Philippians 2:5-8 ESV)

In 1951 Nat King Cole release Irving Gordon’s song “Unforgettable” and then in 1992 Natalie Cole won a Grammy Award for the digitally remixed of “Unforgettable” where she sang alongside her dad. In the music world the tribute and combined talent of father and daughter were truly unforgettable.

How do we make our lives unforgettable?

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)

During my career in corporate America, I had the pleasure of working with some talented individuals. But I will never forget one person. I was managing a sales office and hired an individual who had recently graduated. He had very little experience but was long on desire and attitude. After six months of watching him fail I called him into my office and began asking questions to determine what he was doing wrong that would account for his lack of success. It turned out he was emulating the sales techniques of those around him and wasn’t being who he was. I immediately told him to relax, be who he was and find his own style. The next six months he flourished and had a very successful career.

How many of us flounder around trying to find out who we are? We behave one way on the golf course and another in business settings. Some even go out of their way to prevent anyone from knowing who they really are. They become chameleons changing their attitudes and personalities to fit any given circumstances. Now don’t misunderstand, we all have to adapt to our environment but when we change our personality, or worse our beliefs or values, we become unreliable and easily influenced.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:5-7 (NLT)

After my young protégé identified who he was, he began to garner the trust of his clients and his colleagues. Why, because he was who he was every day. Those around him and those he dealt with began to trust him knowing he was a man of his word.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) 

Unless we become who God created us to be, we cannot trust ourselves, nor will others trust us. But once we discover who we are and rest in the assurance of knowing who we are, (a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully created by the hand of God) then and only then will we reach our potential. The funny thing about resting in the assurance of who we are is, we become more accepting of others and in doing so we become more Christ like.

For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 (ESV)

To become unforgettable does not mean to become famous or to be placed on a pedestal boosting about our accomplishments. To become unforgettable means to surrender to the will of God and to use the talents and gifts He has bestowed upon us to bring glory to God. On the day when we stand before God we all desire to hear those unforgettable words:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

Heavenly and gracious Father, blessed be Your name. Lord, Your Word tells us that every knee will bow before Your Son and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Father, until that glorious day appears, may we bring glory to You, fulfilling Your will.

Lord, we seek You in prayer asking You to strengthen our understanding of who we are so we can be emboldened to live our lives to Your glory. Lord, help us to live our walk here on earth with integrity placing our trust in You. 

Lord God, we thank You for loving us so much that You would send Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins to be reconciled to You. Lord, may we look to You for all our needs knowing in You we can do all things.

Father, it is in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit that we pray. 

Amen