What is the Motive?

When an investigation is put into motion over a crime that was committed one of the key areas investigators look into is 'motive.' Anytime a person commits a crime there is always a motive or reason why that person committed the act that they did. This goes for any action or decision that a person chooses to do. It even goes into the words we use and say. I just posted on communication and the importance of communicating in the right way. We need to also be communicating for the right reasons. If we are saying things just to say them, to fill the silence, impress those around us, because we need to be noticed, or because we want to get even for something, maybe we need to practice the part where Jesus said be slow to speak and keep our mouths quiet for a while and look inward. Here is my challenge: What is our heart motivation behind what we do, think, and say? Are we looking out for good old number one? Or are we "Others Focused." Sounds cliche but only if we let it become cliche. Or are we focused on Jesus? If our heart is focused on ourselves what will come of that? If our heart is focused on Jesus what will come of that? Love God and love others.

Communication. New technologies, an unmastered Art

As I have been in the mission for nearly a year now I have learned and seen quite a lot. It is interesting that the confusion that was placed upon the human race at the Tower of Babel has not gone away. Yes we have come a long way with translating many languages into many other languages so that a Chinese man can talk to a Spanish woman can talk to a Haitian man. We have figured out how to send messages wirelessly using the physics of radio waves and can contact someone on the far side of the world in the matter of a second. Wow. The problem still this in this. We must learn to open our mouths and speak but speak properly. Not with perfect pronunciation but with care, tact, and respect. Or just with love. It is far easier to destroy a person with a word than with a bullet. The tongue has infinite ammunition and can be on a hair trigger. It is time to lay down our 'guns'.

The other side to this is assumptions. Often we think that we have told everything that needs said in a meeting or a discussion when, in reality, those listening are still a bit in the dark. In leadership and team dynamics nothing will kill a team faster that poor, bad, or no communication. Take this challenge and think about where you can improve with the concept of over communication. "Assumptions are the termites of any relationship." What are we assuming is true that might not be and might be destroying a 'foundation?'

As Seekers of Jesus we are in the business of communication. It is up to us to get the message of the Gospel to the world. We are always public speaking!