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Grace - Filled Momentum!

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with "Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11: 29 The Message).

The physics law of inertia (or momentum): A body at rest remains at rest, and a body in motion continues moving in a straight line and at a constant speed, unless a force is applied to it.

May I recommend the "unforced rhythms of grace" as the most powerful force to be applied to anything? In our companies, non-profit organizations and in the workplace, the applied force of God's grace to a group of people who are relaxed and flowing with common goals and godly purpose, can have that same inertia, momentum!

In his motivational book, Gung-Ho!, Ken Blanchard tells us there are five essential ingredients that can be understood to capture the inertia that will in turn effortlessly fuel the energy of team momentum:

United Focus Whether in our homes, church or workplace, it's never about us. It's about God! Keeping our identity in Him, will free us to focus on His purpose where we are planted.

Seeing the Big Picture It is easier to see the significance of a 'routine' job when viewed with God's perspective. Think about this example of a so-called mediocre job: Dishwasher in a University cafeteria. The person washing the dishes day in and day out could view this work as insignificant and meaningless. Or they could get the big picture: Clean dishes are imperative for the health and mental well being of the students that are aspiring doctors, lawyers, teachers and parents-to-be. Doing their job well affects hundreds of students on a daily basis. Their gift of work well done establishes safety, health and peace of mind to be able to eat away from home. As these students go out into the world, this produces an endless positive ripple effect.

Commitment Have you heard the story about the barnyard breakfast? The chicken and the pig agree to co-host a barnyard breakfast. The chicken suggests they serve bacon and eggs to which the pig replies, "For you that means involvement. For me it's total commitment." Big difference!

People who are committed to God and each other will result in an attitude of respect and honor of one another.

Encouragement
Appreciation to others for tasks done routinely and with diligence is a key to team momentum. Inevitably, it will ignite enthusiasm and productivity.

At a football game the crowd doesn't sit silent in the stands while the home team struggles to move the ball down the field. They cheer every effort as the ball moves closer and closer toward the goal. And then they erupt into wild enthusiastic thunder when a touchdown is achieved. In the same way, we can cheer each act of participation as we move together toward our goals and then erupt into wild cheering when they are achieved.

Setting Common Goals God paints a picture of His destiny for us in our hearts, He then gives us the tools, information and fellow workers to carry out this plan. We have His grace and ability inside of us to accomplish anything we see that is in His heart for us and those we work with side by side. Write these common goals down and celebrate each one as they are attained!

As we begin this New Year, God will be faithful to show us how to rest in Him. Our focus will simply be to walk with Him, work with Him, watch how He does it and learn . . . the unforced rhythms of grace. Then, we'll witness His impressive force of grace-filled momentum.

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