Chapter 2 - Position: Like Pistons in an Engine
There was a day when a king asked God for the wisdom to be an effective leader. The Bible records the story in 2nd Chronicles. The king's name was Solomon, and God answered his request. He became known in history as the wisest of earthly leaders.
God went beyond Solomon's request to reveal his great love for the people and his knowledge of their behavior. Anticipating their disobedience, God gave Solomon a simple formula -- four responsibilities. When fully observed, God promised to respond with forgiveness and blessing.
Here is God's specific statement, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place." 2 Chronicles 7:14-15.
Here are the four responsibilities that lead to God's promise of restoration . . .
1. Humble self
2. Pray
3. Seek God
4. Turn from sin
These four responsibilities, when viewed in a broader scriptural context, form a model for a man seeking to learn the position that Jesus taught his followers is the most effective way to live--"remain in me."
Lessons From Old Trucks
My earliest memories are of playing on trucks and heavy equipment, the tools of my father's trade. So, I tend to think mechanically. I hope you will indulge my use of an engine to explain the workings of spiritual effectiveness.
The core components of an internal combustion engine are its pistons, each connected to a crankshaft that collects the combined power of the pistons and transfers it to its intended application. Think of the four responsibilities in God's instruction to Solomon as four pistons in an engine. Each is finely coordinated with the others to produce maximum power.
For the machine to run effectively, all four pistons must fire with full force. Even one failed cylinder can significantly reduce the power needed to operate. If two or more fail, the engine will not run.
It is the same with your life. You are a spiritual being designed by God. Your highest and best is achieved when these four spiritual "pistons" are each firing with full force.
This book opened with a strong statement about the most powerful thing on earth, a man in position with God. These four elements, sourced by the Holy Spirit, are the conductors of that power.
Before you move on, take a minute to ask God's evaluation of your spiritual engine--your four pistons: Humility, Prayer, Seeking God, and Turning from sin. How are your power ratings per piston? Here is the prayer that invites that evaluation.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:23-24
If you honestly asked for God's evaluation, He impressed you with His answer. Try this . . . make note of the result for each of the four pistons so essential to your effectiveness. Use a simple number scale for each:
0 - Dead cylinder
1 - Works but missing badly
2 - Works but needs attention
3 - Full power
Date the note and put it where you can find it. We will be working on a tune up to improve your spiritual engine's performance.
Let's move on to a close examination of each positional element.
Ok...now you are ready to move on. Click to the next chapter...
Mark Foley, Ph.D.
effectivesolutions.today