Making a Difference

This whole concept of rebuilding can be very puzzling. Do we really need to rebuild, refresh, and re-create? If we don't, can we still be effective in making a difference in people's lives as Christ has called us to? I think not!! After all, to live out the Great commission, we have to be making a difference in people's lives, that is what making disciples is all about. Constant growth, steady progress, moving forward, etc. This is the whole essence of the scriptures where Jesus commanded us to be salt and light. Last time I checked, when I use salt on my food it tastes different. Not the same old flavor that is dull and without life. Not boring, old, normal, depleted!! Salt gives new life, it brings change to the food, it refreshes our taste of something that needs a new flavor, that needs to come to life more than what it is at the moment.

Last time I turned on a light in a dark room or dim room, the light made a difference!! It brought on change that was necessary and refreshing. It was useful, enlightening in many ways. Sometimes the light even exposed painful or difficult things that needed to be revealed or dealt with. These things bring on the nature that Jesus was describing when he said these words in the scriptures and expected us as followers of Him to make a difference in the people we encounter.

So if our 'serotonin' is depleted, as pastors or any disciple of Christ for that matter, are we truly able to make a difference in others lives and continue the process of disciple making as Jesus called us to? I think it is clear we cannot. How are we carving out time to make a difference in others lives? When was the last time we thought about this outside of the Sunday morning context? When was the last time you sat down to disciple or mentor someone? When was the last time you sat down over coffee purposely to accomplish the Great Commission, making disciples? I can't say that I am doing that myself to level of what I need be ... but God is moving me, reminding me and teaching me again that this is what the 'church--people' are to be about. What does that look like for you? How are you making disciples where you are? In what you do everyday?

My first post

I'm writing my first blog post from Belgrade, Serbia during my first week of sabbatical from UBC. I plan on lots of traveling, lots of reading, and hopefully lots of inspiration during this three month period.

What's with the title of this blog? My first book I'm reading is Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro. Chapter one states "Serotonin is a chemical like an endorphin. It's a natural, feel-good hormone. It replenishes during times of rest and then fuels you while you're working. If, however, you continue to drive yourself without replenishing, your store of serotonin will be depleted. As a substitute, your body will be forced to replace the serotonin with adrenaline.
"The problem is that adrenaline is designed for emergency use only. Its's like those doors in a restaurant that when opened cause an alarm to sound. Our problem, though, is that we use these pathways designed for emergency only, but no alarm sounds. Not at first, anyway.
"Should you continue to run on adrenaline, it will destroy your system. You will burn out sooner on the inside than you're able to see on the outside. The fuel of adrenaline that keeps your engines running in the beginning will turn on you and destroy you in the end."

It goes on to say that Type A leaders especially, can fall into depression, anxiety, isolation, or simply indecision. I'm not there yet, but am very thankful that UBC has allowed me to take three months off to rest and educate myself so I can rebuild my serotonin, and come back refreshed and ready to work again! I'll try to update on our trips and what God is teaching me.