Receptivity Levels

I should have known it was going to be an interesting conversation

When someone says, "I have two questions to ask you, and if you don't know the answers, that's ok", you know it's time to reach for your thinking cap and prepare yourself. He then proceeded to ask to the questions, after which, he again reiterated... if you don't have answers right now, it's ok. But I have an answer to both, if you want to hear them.

Well, now my curiousity is piqued, so yes... what do you have?

Needless to say, I wasn't prepared for that conversation; thinking cap on or not.

Of course, after it was all said and done, like any time one is presented with information, you are now faced with a decision to make; a response to give and potential changes to enact. Yet, as I continued to reflect on this conversation, I couldn't help but consider as we pray for deacon and church administrators, the decisions they face on a daily basis.

I don't claim to know everything (although I know I sadly, probably come across that way to some people at times), but I do know that many gurus and experts will tell you that the progessive downhill slope of people's influence as leaders and authority figures begins when they start limiting their receptiveness to new information, ideas, perspectives and solutions to problems.

Sure, leadership positions ultimately must make decisions, and there will always be a percentage who won't care and who won't agree, but when you begin to not want to hear what others have to say, it can change how you are perceived and ultimately affect one's ability to effectively lead. Sure, there's a balance to what you take in, process and dismiss, but at the same time, stubbornness can carry with it a certain level of arrogance and immaturity... two things that cause serious detriment to the legacy of one's leadership and influence.

Thus, join with me once again, to pray this #deaconThursday, for leaders and decision-makers who have lost and are beginning to lose their ability to receive. Pray God would do the miraculous in their lives, for if we begin to close ourselves from receiving from others, it's only a matter of time before we begin to limit the desire to receive from God. Pray God would speak to their hearts and minds anew and afresh; that their hearts would remain open to hear, for one never knows who God will use to speak life, revelation and break-through into a situation or circumstnace. May their influence and authority not be diminished, but that God would do a great work, as they continue to seek the face of God and accomplish His will in their lives as they support and lead the church in which they have committed their time, treasure and talent.

Always receptive...
To the voice of God,
To the prompting of the Holy Spirit,
To the work of Jesus Christ in our lives.
For none of us have arrived;
Many opportunities await, 
For God to be glorified in our lives.

​- PNC

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