It’s 1993 and I am 34 years old. I have planted a church in Canada and in Indonesia. Along the way I've gained experience in preaching, teaching, and administration. I'm gaining insights into leadership and organizational development. Now I am in Phnom Penh Cambodia, establishing the leadership structure for the international church I lead.
Life is good. Got to thinking about my future, and the thought crossed my mind that I could probably make it through the rest of my vocational ministry career without much more effort. I could ride that resume into the sunset of my career with no further effort. That was a very presumptuous thought. But more dangerous is the crippling attitude it reveals in me.
While I'm entertaining this perspective, I listen to a cassette tape by John Maxwell, a well know leadership author, pastor and coach. I don’t remember the topic, but I do remember the bomb he dropped into my world that day. He cautioned that the leader who is not on the growing edge is in danger of becoming “a mundane man or woman”. That word blows apart my presumptions and my comfortable world. My life is in danger of becoming commonplace, inert, mundane.
I had some choices to make.
Significant and developmental growth in our lives is determined or denied by the winner of the battle between choosing Courage or Fear. The challenge with Fear is its double edge. We fear launching into the new and unknown, but we also fear the consequences of inaction. At some point Courage must be exercised or we will remain immobilized between the two sharp edges of Fear.
I was immobilized.
Not long after the challenge to my mundane-ness, I was presented with an opportunity to move outside my comfort zone, and build on my emerging interests and passions. I came across a master’s program in Organizational Leadership. Funny how the LAST THING I ever wanted in life was to go back to school. Certainly, there had to be other ways of developing myself. There were, and there are. But at that point in my life, I knew that I had to do something that would create a structure of accountability for my development. That program was it. I overcame Fear, borrowed Courage from my wife, and launched. The end result was not a degree on my wall, but the lifelong learning ethos it developed.
Why strive to grow? Growth inherently brings change, and change is hard. Why not remain content with where and who we are? There’s enough change in the world. We’re all tired of it. Is it not more virtuous and advantageous to be anchored? Is existence on the ‘growing edge’ worth it? You must answer this for yourself, but here are a few of my learnings and contributions to the thinking around this. Please add your own in the comments of this blog.
- 'Mundane' in some contexts means the ordinary, the everyday. Learning to be content with that kind of 'mundaneness' is an antidote to the hurry-up, never satisfied life.
- “The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance. It is the illusion of knowledge.” (Daniel Boorstin). Reflect on that as you think about discovering more about yourself, your abilities, your potential.
- “Fan the flame” of what has been entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1). You’re a steward of the Creators’ design in you, and of the input of the community that has nurtured you. They all believe you have something to offer.
- The answer to the prayer “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth…” is fulfilled through inquisitive, growing, courageous and engaged people. We are not meant to sit back and wait for some divine rescue event. We are meant to engage, so engage well. Hone your life so it is a net contributor.
- A commitment to growth leads down the path of discovery. That inherently opens new horizons, new reasons and new opportunities to influence and effect change for human flourishing. Be prepared to course correct.
- Personal development costs. So does a lack of development. Which cost are you willing to bear? What lost opportunities and unrealized dreams are you willing to exchange for your need of security and comfort?
I am now 65. The ‘mundane’ challenge is still (and again) before me. This is a time of life where most people would not begrudge me pulling back and ‘coasting’. I don’t have the energy of that 34 year old in Cambodia, and I still face the battle between Courage & Fear. But the only way to face it is to face it. So, I am launching into endeavours and engagements that will press me to learn. I will need to calibrate my energy and expectations at this stage of life. But I am throwing off the bowlines and setting sail.
Let’s see where this goes.
Harv
