“So what is God showing you?”
Those were the words my Halftime Coach asked shortly into our scheduled call. Two months earlier I had attended a Halftime Institute Launch Event, gotten clarity around a personal mission statement to guide me, and formulated a game plan for moving forward in my journey “from success to significance.”
In my business career, strategy and planning always seemed to come easily. I would ask myself: Where are we today, where do we want to be, and how do we get from here to there?
So what could be different as I designed a life plan, or roadmap for the next year, and applied those same types of questions?
The difference would come at a heart level. Reflecting and journaling one morning, I came across a passage of scripture that grabbed my attention.
“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”– 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
So what was my motivation in this journey I was on? As I was reading this verse, it became clear that God was showing me this would be a journey of faith. I couldn’t predict in advance what the outcome would be. All that was certain was that my trust must be placed in God’s wisdom. And in reality, wasn’t life itself a journey of faith, in spite of my best planning?
The second part of the verse hit me right between the eyes. A labor prompted by love. I hadn’t ever viewed my work as a labor prompted by love… a true love for others. More often than not, I found myself walking by someone and never really seeing them, preoccupied with thoughts of what needed to be done next.
However, in my journaling, it seemed God was saying to me, “Steve, it doesn’t matter whether you stay in your current business or join a ministry to live out your mission statement. Without loving others, slowing down and really understanding their needs, I can’t fully use you.”
And lastly, I read the third part of the verse, “endurance inspired by hope in Christ.” I reflected on the history of endurance in my life. Endurance to work long hours, to turn things around, and to committing in getting the job done. And while some of that endurance was the result of enjoying God’s talents for me, when I’m really honest I have to admit that many times the endurance I used as I “climbed the ladder” was inspired by fear:
Fear of what would happen if we didn’t get the job done.
Fear of how I’d look if we failed to make the numbers.
Fear of what the impact might be on my performance rating or incentive compensation.
Endurance inspired by hope rather than fear…how potentially freeing!
What I was experiencing, as I shared these insights with my Halftime Coach several years ago, was what we refer to as the Heart Journey of Halftime. God was not just interested in what I would do as a result of my mission statement and planning at a head level but was even more interested in who He wanted me to become at a heart level. God was changing my heart to move forward in faith, trusting Him for the outcomes. Seeking to serve out of a motivation of love for Him and others. And ultimately, being inspired by my hope in Christ.
As you seek to discover your love for others, surrounding yourself with a community of leaders and peers led by faith can give you more confidence in your walk with God.
If you’d like to learn more about how coaching or a cohort of other faith-filled high-capacity leaders can encourage and challenge you in this journey, explore Halftime Programs.
May you experience the freedom and hope that brings endurance and perspective. We’re here to walk alongside you.
