Counter-Intelligence & Trouble

I heard a great concept the other day... in essence, it was this.

Why trouble trouble when trouble troubles enough?

And how much of it begins when we find ourselves in a serious state of the unknown?
(I see you looking at me, Dad, asking if I really want an answer to that as it pertains to my life :-)

I've been a car guy since my days of playing with Hot Wheels during church service to keep me quiet. I remember telling my driver's ed instructor I was fairly experienced behind the wheel and the conversation that followed, as my Dad came with me and corrected the conversation. "He doesn't have nearly as much experience as what he said he did."

Expounding however, on being in the dark, I recalled a scene yesterday from The West Wing. C.J. Cregg is the new Chief of Staff after the previous CoS, Leo,  suffered a massive heart attack. His Executive Assistant stays in to help C.J. get acclimated to her new position. In walking her through the schedule of her day, she tells C.J. how Leo would circle items on the daily briefing memo that he needed more information and/or a clearer understanding so that he was better prepared for whatever direction the conversation took throughout the day.

C.J. starts circling an item here, and there, and here... and here, and the next one and another. Finally she draws a big circle across the entire page. Clearly she felt like she was in over her head in this new role, but she quickly finds her way.

In the meantime though, is the power of confession. We don't always know as much as we think we know and even the experienced and high-powered among us have items on our briefing sheet that we have to refer and return to daily and acknowledge... we will miss the mark without help.

Keep missing the mark long enough and you've not only troubled trouble, but you've created an open invitation for burnout... among other things.

On this #deaconThursday, pray for those deacons and church leaders who are feeling as though things are over their head. Whether they be "new" to serving in a ministry-leadership capacity or they are well-versed in church and business matters, pray for the items and issues that require increased clarity and understanding. Pray also, for an increased awareness of the power of confession. May the door not be left open for burnout, nor trouble; may leadership be careful not remain too long in states of the unknown. Pray worry and anxiety would not dominate hearts and minds; but continually placing out trust in the hands of the Most High God.

May we be ever careful to not get ahead of God
Whether in our petitions or plans
Or our wisdom and understanding.
Trusting in Him for all that we need
One day at time, for each day has its' own trouble.

- PNC

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