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Self-Confidence, Humility; Your Choice
I find a common communication practice quite funny—creating phrases with words that really don't go together, and yet, still make sense.
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I find a common communication practice quite funny—creating phrases with words that really don't go together, and yet, still make sense. For example, "alone together," "definite possibility," "real phony," "small crowd," "jumbo shrimp," or "turn up missing." These are just a few phrases that we call oxymorons; figures of speech in which contradictory terms appear together. I recently moved from Chicago to Orange County Ca, and discovered another oxymoron—"affordable housing"! I want to share with you an oxymoronic equation necessary for you to succeed in ministry. In fact, what I have discovered in my years of ministry is an absence of this equation will result in short-term ministry. Self-confidence + Humility = Kingdom AdvancementWhat I propose to you is this: It takes the combination of the first two, not one or the other, to complete the task God gave you. Jim Collins, in his book Good to Great, describes a level five leader (the highest level in a hierarchy of executive capabilities) as one who possesses a combination of humility and will. To succeed you need both. So the big question becomes: "How do I function with self-confidence and maintain a spirit of humility? Let's look at self-confidence. Have you ever had an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy? Have you been in a position or been given a responsibility that you knew was too much for you? Well, me too. In fact, I call this the "Thanksgiving Journey." Why? Because anytime God puts me in a situation where I am being stretched, I thank Him for having confidence in me. Self-confidence is absolutely necessary for you to succeed in your ministry. Some may argue that this confidence can lead to arrogance, and I agree. However, that's why humility is the next part of the equation. A lack of confidence sets you up to believe Satan's lies; when he reminds us of our sin, tells us we are not good enough, not talented enough, or not worthy. Self-confidence negates these lies and creates a clear passageway from God to us, so He can do His work through us. You see, it's all about the source. Our confidence doesn't come from ability, skill level, or experience; it comes from Jesus himself. That's the difference between confidence and arrogance. When those feelings of inadequacy or fear find me, I remind myself of what Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." It's just that simple; I am God's masterpiece and He created me for a purpose. This is the source of our confidence. We cannot allow the enemy to steal our sense of confidence and hinder or prevent the flow of God's power in our life. Now for the second part to the oxymoronic equation: Humility. I obviously don't have to make a strong argument for humility; we all know what the Word says about this subject. However, I have watched a lack of humility kill ministry and destroy lives. |
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