As mentioned earlier, I recently completed the Gallup CliftonStrengths Assessment, with the following results:
STRATEGIC | ACTIVATOR | SELF-ASSURANCE | RESPONSIBILITY | FUTURISTIC.
That Futuristic element has always been intriguing and in fact has served a major part in directing the trajectory of my life and forging some of my most beneficial relationships.
My early exposure to the concept of Coaching was made possible by a connection in the late '90's, following a similar assessment, as I searched for a meaningful future. That then led to a joint presentation in a breakout group with the World Futures Society in Toronto, Canada, the topic, "Spiritual Nodes" the providence behind connectivity.
Often as I dream about the future, a deep wonder seizes me given the unlikely providence that brought this blessed life my way. Grace has been immeasurably abundant.
My life has been so "stink'n" privileged relative to those who came before me. I am told that land holdings and wealth were once a part of our history. Yet, all that was lost in an economic downturn, with an unforeseen, traumatic, post-Depression journey out of poverty becoming their lot. That then fostered my work ethic (note: activator/self-assurance/responsibilyty) by way of a blue collar tradesman dad, who boot-straped his way after a stent in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
I treasure that tradesman heritage, given that I will attempt to build about anything, and if not able, know the language sufficient to communicate with those who truly can.
This morning I am in one of those grateful moments for the privileged life given me, and those whose shoulders upon which I stand, both kindred, as well as helpful friends and professionals met along the way.
Then on top of all that, given my love for learning, this wonderful era of technology with a literal library at my finger tips. Keep in mind my grandpa was alive before the Wright Brothers! Dad studied vacuum tubes on the G.I. Bill, just before transistors were discovered. What a leap that led to in just a few decades from massive mainframes to tiny chips, both with the same memory capacity.
Now, when I need clarity or depth of information, all that is required is to speak to a small handsize device, and I am connected by blockchain (now above my pay grade) to computers around the world, with immediate access to thousands of years of thought.
That beats the multiple grade levels in one room school houses, and only two generations away!
Frankly, it also puts to shame the relatively minimal knowledge attained by way of the ten years of face to face study for my three college degrees. The latter benefit was relationship and alignment moreso than knowledge, both far more beneficial in today's world.
When it comes to access and insights, particularly regarding personal clarity given my years of bias and church indoctrination, I can only imagine what my self-denying, horseback riding, blackberry eating, Pentecostal preaching grandfather could have done with such access to information!
This morning as I worked my way through Ezekial, wondering what he was trying to communicate, worse yet, even how his writings survived the scrutiny of the Canon since the days of Constantine, I had only to ask my device and a plethora of history and multiple perspectives were provided.
How and why do I allow my mind such freedom given my fundamentalist background, with doctrinal limitations so hardwired in my head?
Perhaps it's my intrigue with the future of the Body of Christ given the "Word" offered by the Spirit in 2008, "My Church Is In Foreclosure!" This more than any moment in my life triggered a sense of necessity for downloading my own thoughts on a regular basis.
I can only imagine what it would have meant to me for someone to have captured the reservoir of lessons learned from my own family's journey with God.
Fortunately, my Pentecostal heritage reinforced the priesthood of believers, assuring an access to the Voice of God, perhaps equal with Ezekiel, yet also along with that, a sense of responsibility for one's personal calling, each of us providentially strategic and critical to the Kingdom of God!
The Good News is we were all created as the Children of God, sons and daughters, as modeled by the Christ! Yet sadly and often, living far below our means of spiritual empowerment.
Why not seize upon this moment, even as you read, pursuing clarity of your own calling, sorting out the truth for yourself by means of the deep well of information at hand, paired with your access to the Spirit.
Together we are setting the stage for a New Heaven and a New Earth, where love reigns and life is abundant. The ever expanding galaxies surely foretelling such a future, one never yet fully comprehended and too often lost in the trauma of this brief window we call "human!"