Stewardship "Olympic" Training

Have you been following the Olympic trials? These Olympians have been training for a very long time out of the spotlight for that one moment of competition. Olympic training made me think of some of the times in the Bible when the Christian journey is compared to athletic competition. John Wesley in particular was aware that while belief is necessary, belief alone isn't enough. He developed a lifestyle that people made fun of, calling it's followers Methodists. The name went from derisive to one of the most respected Christian communities in the world.

Wesley's method was NOT a means of earning grace from God, it was the means of recognizing, learning about, and living out the grace already surrounding us. We may want to be Stewards, but we need to know how to do that. As my husband said when I was talking about this with him, he saw a current analogy, "If you want to be a Fashionista - you can't just sit at home and watch ads on TV, you have to go to the store." (Thanks to a certain retailer for that concept.)

Wesley's Method wasn't just for beginners. It was the way in which those mature in the faith maintained their faithfulness as well as acting as inspiration and teachers for newcomers.

So - I invite you to take part in an experiment, using the 6 weeks between now and the end of the Olympics as a Stewardship Olympic Training period. Remember, being part of the Circle of Stewards doesn't consist of doing any specific stewardship task, but in creating a mindset in which everything we do is done from the point of view of a steward. This Stewardship Olympic training regimen is simple and can take as little as 5 minutes a day, although longer is of course better. Here's the plan. Set aside some specific time to read one of the Stewardship thought starters I will provide below (or use one of your own choosing) and then let your mind be open to thinking about it, feeling how it makes you feel, asking God to help you understand its meaning, or if you can practice stillness, opening you mind in silence to hear what God may be saying to you. That's it. Six weeks, 5-20 minutes a day focusing on a Stewardship meditation. You can do this any time anywhere. I plan to use the Olympic logo as a reminder each time I see it to be faithful to my six-week plan, and remind me of the meditation I've adopted. If you are a person who journals, it might be interesting to record how you feel about this project or about the meditation you have adopted as the 6 weeks goes by.

Below are some meditations. I invite you to post your own suggested meditations to add to the list.

__________________

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received...so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.  (I Peter 4:10-11)

From the poet Rumi
Walk out of your house like a shepherd.

Time is a gift, not a burden to be managed or to be crammed full with dubious activities. (From Afire with God)

Joseph had a dream. (Genesis 37:5)

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

I am about to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God. (2 Chronicles 2:4)

The foundation of all charity is the discernment  that you as an individual or a congregation have something of inestimable value that gives you hope for tomorrow.  (From Beyond the Collection Plate)

Now finish the work so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. (2 Corinthians 8:11)

First go and be reconciled with your brother. Then come and offer your gift. (Matt 5:23-24)

As a goose flaps its wings it creates uplift for the goose flying behind it. By flying in a V formation, the entire flock adds 71% more flying range than as if each goose flew alone. (from Generous People)

God requires only one sacrifice, myself, and therefore my lifestyle and God's mission are one. (From Beyond the Collection Plate)

If anyone wants to be first, he must be the servant of all. (Mark 9:35)

Not what I will, but what You will.  (Mark 14:36)

In all these things we are more than conquerors though Him who loved us. (Romans 8:36-37)

We would offer Thee this day with sobered minds what we are that to the enrichment of our lives, and of all life, thou mayest make of it what thou wilt. (We Would Offer, by Paul Scherer)