Begin With Conviction
In a book I read, the author gives four things that leaders who find themselves in uncharted waters need to have a vibrant relationship with. As I reflect on these four things I am thinking about how these don’t apply just to those who consider themselves leaders.
Side Note | I come from the perspective that all people are leaders. Everyone of us is leading others. Some of us may be intentional about this while others may not be aware of how they are affecting the destinies of others. Some lead others in positive ways while others lead others in … well … negative ways.
The first of the four things the author encourages us to prioritize in our lives is “Begin with Conviction.” I looked up “conviction” and found the word to mean “a firmly held belief or opinion.” This is an important lesson for all people. Let’s be honest with each other. Everyone of us lives with conviction. The question I’m asking myself is what forms my convictions. I think there are two ways that convictions are formed in us.
First, convictions can be formed through a thoughtful, heartfelt, prayerful conversation with the resources available to us. The image of this in my mind is a person with others gathered around them conversing together about the decision at hand or the direction of the group.
Second, convictions can be formed by letting things decide for us what we are going to hold dearly too. The image in my mind of this is a person sitting in a tiny boat in the ocean being tossed back and forth by the waves.
So what are the convictions that are affecting your life? Find a moment to put everything aside and look at what occupies the investment of your time and treasure. Where you spend your life and its resources says a lot about where your convictions lie. Now, take a look at where those investments are pointing your life. Will you be fulfilled in ten years because of the conviction you have today?
I love the story of Jesus and a man by the name of Zacchaeus. Zac was living his life as a tax collector. Making money and getting ahead were two of his convictions. This caused him to take advantage of his people for the sake of his conviction. One day he encounter the living God. Jesus was in town and Jesus and Zac had a moment. That moment altered Zac’s convictions. It changed everything. His convictions were solidified into a singular conviction that affected everything else. It changed the way he lived. And catch this, this conviction cost him something. He didn’t bemoan the cost. He was eager to pay the price to become part of what God was doing and would be doing in and through him.
So … what are your convictions and where are they taking you? I’d love to hear about them. Take a moment to share with us about your journey of convictions.