the balance between confidence and humility

Captain “Sully” Sullenberger who successfully piloted Flight 1549 to safety in the Hudson River saved more than 150 passengers in the process. He exemplified a balance between confidence and humility as few could, attributing his courage through poise to his training over the years.

“One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years I’ve been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education and training. And on January 15 the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal.”

The balance between confidence and humility... 

comes from being a rooted person who is faithful in the everyday moments.

"Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unfaithful in very little is also unfaithful in much." (Jesus, via Luke 16:10)

wild partnerships

Some things don't seem to belong together, but somehow end up together.

For example, did you know that you can now eat food at office stores?

Wild.

One of my friends happened to realize this.

I imagine the conversation there often goes something like this:

Guy #1: "I heard you have food. Can I get a chimichanga?"

Staples employee: (looks confused)

Guy #1: "How about Won Ton soup?"

Staples employee: (still confused)

Guy #2: "I'd like some milk, eggs and bread."

Staples employee: "Coming right up."

Guy #1: (looks at Guy #2, confused)

Guy #2: "Staples."

Wild.

God's wisdom in this world can likewise seem somewhat out of place.

We seek power and recognition.
God calls us to become servants.

We seek dominance in a professional field, recreational activity or relationships.
God calls us to cast aside our reputation to befriend those who are outcasts.

We seek happiness and satisfaction.
God calls us to holiness and sacrificial living.

And then there's God Himself who chooses to live among us as the "Sovereign, Savior and Spirit" Trinity. He could eliminate us, and yet He pursues justice and compassion. He could set creation into motion and abandon us, and yet He is intimately involved in everything. He could partner with the best of the best of the best, but invites the rest of the rest of the rest.

Wild... what a wild partnership.

How does that inspire you to relate or lead others today?

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:1-5)

a great gift and burden

One of our greatest gifts - 
and burdens - 

is when we realize that we're not here merely for ourselves, but for something greater... 

that who God is and what He has shared with us can either be shut up inside of us or shared with others and multiplied.

Feel inadequate in doing this? You are not alone.

Even greater a gift -
and burden -
is how your response can affect others.

You can either by example give others inspiration to jump in and seize their purpose as God intends, or give others permission for something lesser than that, too.

God has called us to be people of prayer...

to reach new people for Jesus...

to develop each other into maturity.

Perhaps you don't consciously reject that, but are you rejecting that with your actions?

Are you praying, reaching new people, and developing others?

And - how are your actions (or lack of them) an example?

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." (Matthew 5:13)