Wait for Opportunity to Mature

Strike while the iron is hot. (Refers to a blacksmith working iron.) We all can attest that timing is important in life. We know to seize opportunity, but we must also wait for opportunity to mature. Its the later with which I struggle.
Above my office computer monitor is a quote, "A vision without a task is just a dream." Sometimes though, the task is to wait. Waiting can be characterized by peace and anticipation or it can characterized by distraction and anxiety. Can you guess how I tend to wait?
"God has a plan." is a well-worn phrase, but it is often merely taken at face value. Regardless, the phrase's implications are vast. In particular, His timing may (and usually does) not match human expectations. Why? He is infinitely perfect. Humans are limited and flawed. Note: to agree with those two statements requires an acknowledgement of mankind's sin.
Waiting peacefully with anticipation then requires a thorough understanding of God. This leads to trust, both in what is observable, such as a person preparing and cooking a meal, and what is not observable, such as God's providence.
Can I wait peacefully with anticipation for my vision of the future? Yes. Can I wait peacefully with anticipation for the future when I lack vision? Yes.

Peace Amid Brokenness

Lord Jesus, the emotions that stir our heart, the thoughts that pause our mind, the truth that rings in our spirit, let it draw us to you. Let our peace amid brokenness be deeply planted in You. Amen. I whispered this prayer in the middle of the night recently and it has stuck with me.

Thoughts on a Plane

There are quiet moments in which God shares His truth and it lights onto our shoulders warming our spirit with feather weight. How can something cover us and yet feel through its weight to lift rather than weigh down? It is the wonderful mystery of our infinite God of authority and love! 

Time and time again I hear and see the trait of effective, insightful listening promoted as foundational to leadership and success. It is by no coincidence that my best listening occurs alongside my listening to The Lord. The cause, not a correlation. 

Consider the first human leader, Adam. He was placed in charge of the garden of Eden, the pinnacle of God's earthly creation. What was his reward? Simply put, a relationship with The Lord. (Eve was never meant to be lorded over.) With Adam's sin came the stark contrast of our world's entitled leaders. 

What can be sold and what can be offered are two separate things. In order to accurately sell the offer there must be deep understanding of its value. Shallow understanding handicaps success. Only compete in areas where value can resonate authentic.