July 2024 – Make It Clear Blog Site

Leadership

4 Questions to Ask Yourself in Every Season of Life

July 29, 2024 by Stan Ponz No Comments

God has wired me in such a way that I like to watch things grow. I receive much enjoyment out of the plants I have. And every gardener knows that if you don’t have changes in seasons, your plants will not make it. You need seasonal changes for plants to grow.

The same is true in your life. You need to experience various seasons to mature and grow.

In fact, you’ll go through many seasons in your life. You’ll experience joyous seasons, like a new marriage, a new ministry, or a new child. And you’ll experience tough ones too, like when you are grieving, experience a job loss, or struggle with a new family dynamic.

But here’s the good news: God wants to use every one of the seasons you’re in for your good.

From my personal experience, the following four questions will help you make the most of every season:

1. What can I learn during this season of my life?

We can only learn certain things through experience. Deuteronomy 11:2 tells us, “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him” (Deuteronomy 11:2 GNT).

To understand the seasons of life, you must start with this one basic truth under your belt: Life is a test. Life prepares you for eternity. You’ll live on earth 60, 70, or 80 years. Then, if you’re a Christian, you’ll spend the rest of eternity with God.

But God wants you to learn a bunch of things before you get to heaven. Of course, He wants you to know that He died for you, rose and conquered death for you, and wants a relationship with you. Then He wants you to learn certain character qualities, because the kind of person you are as a Christian will be what you’ll take with you into eternity.

There are important lessons to learn in every season of life. Here are two of those lessons:

- If you flunk a test in the school of life, you can retake it. If you’re not learning to be patient, God will put more irritations in your life. He wants you to grow. Without tests, you can’t grow.
- Then, when you think you’ve graduated, you’ll discover even more classes to take…and more tests you will need to take. As long as you’re on Earth, you won’t stop learning. You’ll always have something to learn about the Lord, yourself, other people, and about the world. The Lord wants you to grow up.

He will give you the kinds of experiences you will need in each season to help you grow in the ways He wants you to grow.

2. What can I enjoy in this season of my life?

Life is short. Too often we tell ourselves that we’ll enjoy life more in the next season, whether that’s when we graduate school, get married, have kids, find a new job, get the next ministry assignment, or become empty nesters.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this or not, but when we wait for the next season to enjoy life, it doesn’t happen. We need to enjoy every single season of life now. Life is too short to do anything else.

Ecclesiastes 11:8 tells us, “When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life…” (NLT). I know that’s not always easy. You’ll have many rough days in your ministry and in your personal life.

But, as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, I’ve found that “in everything [we can] give thanks…” (NKJV). On bad days, good days, hard days, and easy days, we can live with a sense of gratitude because it’s a day that God has given us.

3. What is most important in this season of my life?

Life is about choices. Sometimes we believe the lie that we can do it all. We simply can’t.

You’ll have to make tough choices about what matters most in the particular season you find yourself in.

Ephesians 5:15,16 tells us to, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (NKJV).

To make the best use of your time, you will need to say no to certain things. Maybe it’s a ministry you’ll need to pass on to someone else. Maybe you need to restructure your ministry. Maybe it is a job change or location change. Maybe a hobby you love should go to the back burner.

One of the most important considerations when thinking through what matters most in your current season is your family circumstances. Many seasons of marriage and parenting will require additional attention from you. Don’t hesitate to put as much energy as you can into those relationships. You’ll never get those days back. If you leave your church or employment tomorrow, they’ll find someone else. Your family will not.

4. How can I help others in this season of my life?

As a leader, you’re likely spending many seasons of your life helping others. But remember this: You help people best when you use your spiritual gift(s), interests, unique abilities, personality style(s), and life experiences. Make sure you’re leveraging the unique way the Lord has wired you to help others.

You can also become easily caught up in the responsibilities of ministry—staff meetings, preparing sermons, and maintaining your facilities or in a myriad of business and professional activities—that you don’t spend the time serving other people who need you. But Proverbs 3:27 reminds us: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help” (NKJV). So fellow traveler in this life, what season are you in today? Remember: The Lord wants to use every one of the seasons you’re in for your good.

Reading time: 5 min

Leadership

How Do You Handle Frustration in Ministry

July 22, 2024 by Stan Ponz No Comments

“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.“
Proverbs 12:16 (NLT)

You will encounter people throughout your ministry who generate so much frustration that you ask God, “Please help me show them extra grace.”

Who are these people in our life? They may be . . .

The person who insists on grading what we say and what we do
The person who scowls at us when we serve
The leader who always has a complaint about our ministry and goes public with it

How many people demonstrate unhealthy reactions to frustration?

They might sidestep difficult people, but denial only delays the problem. It doesn’t solve it.
They might try to make difficult people happy, but some people will never be satisfied. No matter what they do, it’s never good enough.

How can you respond like Jesus?

Let God uses them to remove your rough edges. Consider that God has put these people in your life as “heavenly sandpaper.” Although you are irritated, God is always more concerned with your character than your comfort.
Learn to look past their behavior to see their pain. Hurting people will often be hurting others. They’re full of anxiety and self-doubt. Maybe they’re carrying a burden you don’t know about.
Look at them as a gift from God to help you become more like Christ instead of dismissing frustrating people from your life. Frustration can often uncover more work that needs to be done in you. It is best now to go to God so you will experience a change of heart by saying:
- “God, help me to be more patient.”
- “God, help me to be better at apologizing.”
- “God, help me to be more thankful.”
Live to show grace to others. One of the reasons God has forgiven us is so that we can reflect His forgiveness to others. That can’t happen if we never get frustrated!

Reading time: 1 min

Leadership

Three Reasons People May Not Trust You

July 15, 2024 by Stan Ponz No Comments

One of the highest compliments you can receive is to hear someone say, “I trust you.”

Don’t take that lightly. Trust takes time to earn but can be lost quickly.

As a leader, trust is usually extended to you upfront. It’s “on loan,” so to speak, until proven untrustworthy.

However, it’s not uncommon for good leaders to be surprised when they are not trusted quite as fully as they thought.

Sometimes these leaders are under pressure and cutting a few corners or have a blind spot that escapes them. Or, as another example, leaders whose drive, dreams, and ambitions are just strong enough to result in behavior they would never do intentionally.

These circumstances are among the most difficult to catch. You’re on the go, carrying a heavy load, doing your best to lead the church or your ministry area forward, but not fully attentive to what is happening around you. And the people don’t seem to respond like they once did.

For example, they may have more questions. There’s nothing wrong with questions, but these feel more like resistance than seeking understanding. Or some of your leaders don’t seem as supportive and hold back some. You can feel a little distance.

How does this happen?

What can you do?

One of the best things you can do is talk to an honest friend who understands leadership. Someone you trust. Someone who is part of your church. They will often have an insight you can’t see. Be open and receptive. Don’t get defensive. Listen as you talk it through.

And to “jump-start” that conversation, let me offer three reasons people may trust you a little less than you would think, with a few thoughts of what you can do.

The key is to catch it now. What may be a little less trust today can lead to a steep erosion of trust over time.

Three reasons people may trust you less than you thought:

They don’t sense that you have their best interest at heart.

This first reason catches leaders by the greatest surprise. They never imagined not having the people’s best interest at heart; in fact, they feel confident they do and therefore feel blindsided when this happens.

So, how did it happen?

There are many ways. For example, you made a tough or unpopular decision. It was the
right decision, but perhaps you made it too quickly or without process. Or, again, you said no to someone or many without being understood. Or you made a decision that seemed to benefit you more than them.

The specific possibilities are limitless, but here’s how the people feel; when the music stops, and there is only one chair, they perceive you will take that spot for yourself.

People never place complete trust in a leader unless they’re confident he or she has their best interest at heart.

It can happen to any leader. Realities such as insecurities, pressure, a blind spot, etc., can easily set this in motion, even though it doesn’t represent your heart.

Don’t ignore this situation, and don’t panic.

Slow down and take an honest moment of reflection. Talk with a trusted friend. The remedy is relatively simple if this is not a long-term pattern.

Have a conversation with those you may have offended, caused to doubt, or just ran too fast by them.

Listen to them carefully.

Their opinion isn’t an indictment of you or your leadership; it’s their perception of you at the moment. And right or wrong, you need to know. Share your vantage point, but always take the high road.

Ask forgiveness if needed and pay attention to what caused the slight erosion of trust so you can correct it in the future.

You are tempted to hold back from complete authenticity.

The people you lead can sense when you are not entirely the real you. They may not precisely know what they feel, but they know something isn’t quite right.

It’s easy for this to happen. Perhaps you’ve been burned, betrayed, or berated. It knocks the wind out of your sails and may cause you to hold back.

In the last point, the people are a little distant from you. In this point, you are a little distant from them. Either way, trust is diminished.

If you miss this lack of being the real you, it can slowly escalate to an unintentional withholding of truth. You are not lying, just not complete candor. That’s a thin line to walk. It doesn’t come from a duplicitous nature or a political bent. It’s more commonly coming from a place of hurt or lack of confidence.
People never fully trust a leader who is not authentic, honest, candid, and direct in communication.

Connection (or reconnection) is the beginning of the remedy.

Take a risk and follow this principle. If you lead from your heart, the real you, people will connect with you. If they connect with you, they will trust you, and if they trust you, they will follow you.

Be yourself and speak with confidence and openness.

They have noticed you don’t always do what you say you will do.

It happens. You’re busy on the run, and you told someone you’d do something, and it slipped your mind.

It could have been anything. A phone call, email, a resource you promised to provide them, or take care of a small problem. The specific circumstance isn’t the point here.
The real issue is that you didn’t do what you said you would, and someone was counting on you.

It’s not a huge deal if this is rare, like being late for an appointment. If that’s rare, you receive grace, but you lose trust if it’s a habit.

If any of these little things become even a slight pattern, it’s a bigger deal than you may realize. Here’s why. It communicates that you don’t value the person, and that lowers trust.

People never fully trust leaders who do not keep their promises and do what they say they will do.

As strange as it might sound, it’s better that you don’t make small promises you don’t need to. Let’s take a Sunday morning example to explain what I mean. Rather than telling someone you will email them about something, ask them to email you. That is often appropriate.

Aside from examples like that, no matter how small, do what you say you will do. Use a simple system with your smartphone. Make a quick note for each one and follow through quickly.

Trust is a sacred element of leadership and the foundation of all relationships. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.

Reading time: 5 min

Leadership

Ten Ways the Lord Shows You His Goodness Every Day

July 8, 2024 by Stan Ponz No Comments

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.”

Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)

Psalm 23 explains the ways God wants to show His goodness in your life. All these benefits are available to you not because you’re a good person or because you’re a spiritual leader, but because God is good. When you truly understand the Lord’s goodness as revealed in Psalm 23, it will strengthen your faith. You will be able to say these ten statements:

God will meet all my needs; there’s no reason to worry.
God will help me rest and find peace.
God will refresh and replenish me when I am drained.
God will guide me to make the right decisions.
God will be with me on my dark and fearful days.
God will protect me and keep me safe.
God will support me, even if I am surrounded by conflict.
God will give me his favor.
God will fill me with more blessings than I can imagine.
God will secure my future and take me to heaven one day.

When Jesus came to Earth and died for our sins on the cross, He opened the door for us to receive all the benefits of God’s goodness.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly… the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:10, 11 NKJV).

Everybody needs what God has to offer. But are you looking for it in all the wrong places?

Many leaders expect those ten needs to be met by their careers, the size of their churches, ministries, businesses, friendships, or relationships. But the Lord is saying to you, “No, I’m it. I’m the source of all goodness in your life.”

The biggest cause of stress in your life is the lack of focusing on God’s goodness. When you choose to trust in His goodness, you’ll be able to face your struggles with hope and renewed faith.

Reading time: 1 min

Leadership

Know Who You Work For, and Work Like You Know It

July 1, 2024 by Stan Ponz No Comments

“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:22-24

In the beginning, God created. Put another way, he was at work. In all his creating, orchestrating, and designing, he fashioned man to function much as He does. And so, we work too. We bag groceries, we manage projects, we wash the car, we lead meetings, we build bridges, we change diapers (yes, dad… you can do that too. Stop being a baby). We take out the trash, we fix the showerhead, we balance budgets, we write reports, we do the dishes (…yes). Did I miss anything? Of course. Almost everything.

Work is part of us because we are made in the image of God. And yet, since the fall, work has not necessarily been easy or always satisfying (Gen. 3:17-19). Work is good, but work is hard.

Work can reward much, but it also requires much. We are made to work, but work can be altogether frustrating.

Believers that are honest would say that such frustrations don’t go away simply because one believes in Jesus. The State of the Global Workplace 2022 report by Gallup found that only 21% of employees are engaged at work, and 33% consider their well-being to be thriving.

What that means? It means 8 out of 10 people aren’t enthusiastic about their work, don’t like to work, and don’t think their work matters. It also means that two-thirds of people are drowning in the frustrations of life’s toils. And my guess, even as Christians, we often fall into those groups.

The antidote to these frustrations isn’t simply to work harder or try more or give up. In Colossians 3:22-24, the apostle Paul would have us see that a change in how we think of work only comes from a submission to the Lordship of Jesus.

In other words, if you claim that Jesus is Lord of your life, your work will look different because of it.

Let’s look at how Paul discusses the topic in these few verses:

Heed Your Master

One big hold up at work might be your boss, your supervisor, or whoever’s in charge and whatever you call them. But that’s not how it should be in God’s economy. You honor Christ as you honor your master. You serve Him well by serving your earthly authorities diligently. This is the principle that Paul gives as it comes to faithful labor. “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters”” (Col. 3:22).

I can hear you now. “You just don’t know my boss, though. You don’t know the criticism I get every single day. You don’t understand the lack of appreciation for all that I do. I’m overworked, and severely underpaid.” Is this not the natural mindset? We are inclined to obey insofar as it benefits me or, at the very least, if I feel like it. We will do the job insofar as it pays enough, we are treated well enough, and we recognized enough.

Paul directs us to behave differently. The first step toward being a worker who honors God is to heed this command: obey your earthly master in everything. Of course, Paul is not talking about obedience or allegiance at the cost of sinning against God. This isn’t about supporting LGBTQIA+ events or gossip at the water cooler (do they have those anymore?). What Paul is saying is this: Were you asked to run the spreadsheet again? Do it. Were you tasked with finding a solution to someone else’s mistake? Do it. Were you asked to make another presentation that might be ignored because Wordle is a lot of fun? Do it. In everything, do what you’ve been tasked to do.

Honor Your Lord

Next, he says, “Not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” This is someone who not only looks to obey and do the job when the authority is present, but even when no one is watching. He’s like the ants Solomon used to observe and learn from. “Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in the summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Prov. 6:7, 8). It’s not that this kind of worker doesn’t want micromanagement; he doesn’t need it.

If the only motivation for you to work are the watchful eyes of a coworker or boss, it reveals a need for approval, a craving for respect, and an infatuation with self. You care to please others because of how it will benefit you. Working for the eyes is not compatible with working from the heart. And it demonstrates an utter ignorance towards the omnipresent One who desires for you to do your best as a reflection of His glory.

Those who work from the heart do so because they have been given a new one.

Where Christ has produced sincere faith, there will inevitably be found precious fruit. Christians then no longer live to please men, but to please God (Gal. 1:10).

Thus, the best and purest way to honor any earthly master is to submit, revere, and honor the Heavenly Master.

Seldom do we think of how our work reflects our submission to Christ as Lord. But here’s the reality: Disgruntled workers have a bigger issue than just a bad attitude. When we serve in such a way, we bring reproach upon the God who called us to do that work. The Christian’s charge is simple: work with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord, and give it your all. Confess that Jesus is Lord, in word and in deed (Col. 3:17).

Inherit Your Reward

Understanding Paul rightly, it is less relevant what we do, and much more relevant who we do it for. And if that is true of the work, it is also true of the reward. Everything we do, “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward” (Col. 3:23-24).

What does that mean for us? It means that our work is a fresh and everyday reminder of the glorious gospel we have believed. When we work as unto the Lord, the paycheck that comes this week and is gone by next week, fleeting words of praise, the promotion that was long overdue, the time off finally approved, none of these rewards will ultimately satisfy. Those things are all temporal and they aren’t what get us up in the morning to do the work.

We do whatever is before us because God has promised us something infinitely better in His Son. He has promised us an inheritance, one that is imperishable (1 Pet. 1:4).

Nothing can damage this inheritance. It is unfading and it will never lose its value. What’s more, it is kept in heaven for us (1 Pet. 1:4-7). We did nothing to earn it and we cannot do anything to keep it. God did that work through His beloved Son. All our labor, sweat, efforts, and toil do nothing to merit that inheritance, yet every act of service unto Christ assures us that we belong to Him and what is His will forever belong to us.

In Philippians 2:12, 13, Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved as you have always obeyed so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” The God who worked all things into being in the beginning is the same God who is working through His Son to make all things new. One way to evidence that new creation taking place in your life is to work heartily at all that you do as God continues to work in you. Let your work reflect the glory of your Lord and the joy it is to serve Him.

Adapted from an article by Isaías Muñoz

Reading time: 7 min

4 Questions to Ask Yourself in Every Season of Life

How Do You Handle Frustration in Ministry

Three Reasons People May Not Trust You

Ten Ways the Lord Shows You His Goodness Every Day

Know Who You Work For, and Work Like You Know It

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