When I first started leading people I thought it was my role and responsibility to show that I was well rounded, smooth edged, without any major flaws. As a result I spent a good amount of my time trying to work on my weaknesses while neglecting my strengths. This seemed to be logical to me, and it was certainly in line with what I had been taught in school and home. Unfortunately, this kind of advice has its dark side.

Neglecting my strengths left me slipping behind, losing my edge and feeling like I was treading water rather than swimming with the sharks (for those who know me this is an ironic illustration!) Let’s be honest, for any leader worth their weight in salt, treading water is the same as drowning. I needed a radical shift. Then I was recommended to read Marcus Buckingham’s book “Now, Discover Your Strengths.” It turned my world on its ear, and it was my first step towards fulfilling the leadership potential God had placed in my life from a young age. I realized that working on my strengths was the only way to ensure forward momentum in my life and leadership.

On the flip side, there are times and seasons when we all have to work on our weaknesses. As someone who does my best to weight train on a consistent basis, I know that if I don’t train my weaker muscles my strong muscles will not increase in size. This isn’t about being well rounded but it is about making sure that my weaknesses don’t capsize my strengths.

In the meantime, I better get working on my next message. Communicating is one of my strengths. I’d like to keep it that way!

I purchased my first guitar in 1999. A friend of mine was in between jobs and desperately needed money. So did I (I was a youth pastor!) but I forked over $300 to help him out and was handed an Ovation electric acoustic guitar in return. I was determined to be one of those hip guys at the campfire who can play kumbaya, the latest worship song, or a few licks from Metallica. The future was so bright I had to wear shades.

Then I took it out of its case, tuned it up and started to play. It was a LOT harder than it looked. My hands wouldn’t cooperate with many of the chords, my fingertips were burning, and all the cats in the neighborhood were howling at my pathetic attempt to play this instrument of destruction. So what did I do? I packed that guitar back in its hard shell case and stuffed it in a closet. Once a year I would take it out, wondering if our relationship would improve…it never did.

Last Christmas, Sean Morton our Music Pastor, decided to do a guitar orchestra. In his infinite wisdom he decided that this would be a prime time for me to finally learn how to play. I accepted the challenge. Then I got the music, wept profusely, and started to play my six-string until my fingers bled. Over time, the pain in my fingers and in my ears started to turn to pleasure. I was able to do a few more chords, and my transitions were improving, all because of practice. Did you catch that leadership principle in the middle of my guitar lesson? Our pain can turn to pleasure with practice and perseverance.

Now I play as often as I can. I don’t want to lose the calluses on my fingertips nor the memory of the chords from my mind. My perseverance is slowly starting to pay off. I have not transformed into a hip, campfire virtuoso. But I am improving, and having a lot of fun in the process. And I have learned that regardless of the situation perseverance and practice will turn pain to pleasure.

Well that’s enough writing for now. I have to play some more “Every Rose has a Thorn.” So sweet!

Sometimes you just need a good shout to get things off your chest.

This morning I stumbled upon a sermon that James MacDonald (www.jamesmacdonald.com) preached on Isaiah 64:1. In a passing reference to the first word of the verse he makes an interesting point that caught my attention and ties into the readings we have been doing of late at North Pointe.  The word “Oh” is with an exclamation-there is longing in the word. Isaiah wants the heavens to be pulled apart so that there is no barrier between he and God. And in his prayer there is a sense of urgency, passion and zeal.

In 1 Peter 2:3, the Apostle Peter urges his hearers to “Cry out” for spiritual nourishment like a baby cries out for milk. Seems like these words ring hollow on many hearers today in North America. It is not polite to shout or cry out to God. How dare we talk to the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe this way! Then there are the social implications of desperate prayers. Where can you go where you won’t be thought of as a sideshow circus freak if you pray this way? I remember watching the movie “The Apostle” and Robert Duval, the title character, is praying to God through the night in absolute desperation; shouting out his feelings and frustrations, laying his heart bare before the Lord. I think prayers like this have far more in common with King David, Isaiah and the Apostles than my flowery utterings to God that often mask my true feelings.

Where you pray, when you pray or how you pray has a lot to do with your personality and circumstances. However, we are all called to pray and call out to God. So, don’t be afraid to break open your voice and pour your heart out to God. It’s biblical, therapeutic, and even helps you stay focused.

Give God a shout out. He’s listening.