Traction

SLIPPERY SURFACE

When I was in my Junior year of college, we had a HUGE ice storm. With my school being predominantly a commuter school, classes usually are canceled quickly. This time that did not happen. So, since I lived close, I thought it would be a good idea to walk. I stopped on the way at Starbucks and picked up some coffee. I was pumped. Cold weather and hot coffee, what else did I need? I soon found out that it is harder to walk on ice than it is to drive on it. I was on my way to class, when all of a sudden...BOOM! I lost it. There was no hope. The coffee went flying for what seemed like 20 minutes while I hit the ground. The scorching, lava hot coffee then landed on top of me. Face down. My tail bone felt like it was broken in a couple thousand places and I was covered in a mountain of hot coffee. Now, that's a slippery surface.

SECURITY

Many of us are traveling on a slippery surface everyday of our life. We are unable to gain ground, because we lack the traction that is necessary to persevere. We keep falling and sitting where we fall without getting up to move on and try again. We feel insecure with ourselves and fear sabotages our life and leads us to drift from our mission.

In 2 Samuel 12:1-14, Nathan confronts David (the king) and did so when it would have been easy to back down. David placed a man, named Uriah, at the front of the army in battle to be killed. He did this in order to marry Uriah's wife. This displeased God. Nathan was moved to confront, and David was repentant. If he was not secure he may have decided not to confront. Think about how Nathan's act affected the king (David) which affected the whole nation.

Do you feel insecure? According to John Maxwell, there are some common symptoms of insecurity:

1. Comparison - We compare ourselves with others and keep score.
2. Compensation - We feel like a victim and must compensate for our losses.
3. Competiton - We become self-consumed and try to outdo others for attention.
4. Compulsion - We feel driven to perform in order to gain other's approval.
5. Condemnation - We judge others or ourselves, resulting in self-pity or conceit.
6. Control - We feel we must take charge, protect our interests, and manipulate.

Ring a bell? My guess would be that many of us fall into at least one of these categories from time to time. I could name multiple situations where these symptoms have been present in my life. What should we do?

Mr. Maxwell then names four keys to security:

1. Identity: Establish your identity in Christ, not in performance.
2. Brokenness: Allow God to break you of self-sufficiency and self-promotion.
3. Purpose: Discover and practice your God-given purpose in life, not someone else's.
4. Give and receive the blessing: Learn to affirm others and receive affirmation.

Remember today to find your identity in Christ, allow God to break you from selfishness, practice your purpose, affirm others, and learn how to receive affirmation to gain traction in your God-given mission.