Friends – Optional?

In the harried life of a leader, friendships rank right up there with sleep on the list of things we assume we can do without. But without at least a few trusted friends in our lives, we would spend most of our time interacting with those (other than family) who cross our path only because of some degree of obligation; our boss who is obliged to lead us in corporate endeavors, our co-workers who are obliged to tolerate us on their team regardless of their personal feelings, or our subordinates who are obliged to respect our leadership in exchange for continued employment. But our true fiends have no hidden agendas or motives. Only a friend who knows our heart can detect inconsistencies in our life and call us out, correcting our course. Only a friend who knows our dreams can celebrate those small successes that go unnoticed to the world around us and at the same time keep us anchored to reality. Only a friend who knows our thoughts can challenge us to keep them pure. No…friends are not optional.

Read about…
Jonathan's Friendship with David
Jesus' Friendship with the Disciples
Ruth's Friendship with Naomi

Still Waters Run Deep

I enjoy kayaking. I recall a trip my son and I took down a 7 mile stretch of the Brazos river a while back. There was a spot on the river where the rocky bottom dropped out of sight, giving way to sandy soil, and the rushing water had cut a deep groove beneath us. In that spot, the deep water almost stood still. We took advantage of the change in the current to kick back and relax a while. We put the paddles down and stretched our legs out over the kayaks; toes dangling in the water and arms behind our head. We enjoyed a good 10 minutes of the still water before the current picked up again and we were back to business.

This experience reminded me of the importance of “being still.” Too often we equate busyness with productivity. We assume that 30 minutes of unscheduled time on our calendar is an opportunity to schedule another meeting, make a phone call, do a load of laundry, sweep out the garage, etc. If we truly realized the value of “being still,” we would defend that extra 30 minutes in our schedule and realize it as an opportunity to let our thoughts run deep. For a Christian leader whose mind is set on the Lord, these quite times can often lead to confirmation of purpose. (Prov 19:21 - Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.)

God is exalted in our stillness and we will miss Him if we dwell only in the hurried current of the shallow water. (Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.")

Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you may have an extra minute or two to look up over the computer and stare out the window, or go sit outside and look up at the stars. Go ahead, take a minute to let your thoughts “run deep.”