Flourishing in Mid-Life - Part 2

This is part 2 of a 6-part series on the Christian Mid-life leader

We don’t like it!  We do almost everything in our power to avoid it. We hear it in sermons and read it in books. Yet, for many, it remains a tolerated religious idea. In fact, our very nature rebels, screams “no” at the very thought of…

Dying to self.

Joe Maschhoff, a Navigator colleague, was teaching at one of our business leader gatherings. He was reflecting on a story of his own leadership journey of dying to his self. 

Joe and his wife Joy were in the midst of making a significant decision. It had serious implications for their family, friends, and the work the Lord had called them into. During the wrestling process, a mentor friend of Joe asked him this question, “Joe, when did you decide to take your life back?”

Wondering what his mentor was getting at, Joe asked what he meant. His mentor reminded Joe of his commitment to the Lord. His life, his family, and his work were not actually his own. Joe had, many times prior, reaffirmed his decision to “die to self”. His mentor, “hearing” a softening of Joe’s resolve to die to self, reminded him of Galatians 2:20. 

Joe’s story reminded me of my story. Many years ago I memorized that same passage…

When I consider my own journey of mid-life disappointment, and at times deep discouragement, I can’t help but see that some of the pain in my crisis was tied to my attempts to “take my life back”. Some areas of my life have not turned out as I had hoped or even planned. I too, have often had to remember to not “take my life back”.

How has life turned out for you? I suspect you’ve had disappointments, maybe deep discouragements. 

Many even state a feeling of being disenfranchised with the world around them. Work, relationships, and maybe even church.

As you experienced these inevitable realities in your life, what has been your response to this question, “Are you trying to take your life back”?

I believe that as leaders, our clamor to manage our lives in ways we think we…want…need…expect diminishes our Kingdom impact.

In Luke 9:23 Jesus’ invitation to deny oneself and take up your cross and follow Him was not so much about “bearing the cross” but about dying. The cross was not about hardship, it was about death. 

Death to…

• My need to be right
• My need to be successful
• My perfect retirement plan
• My… (you fill in the blank)!

REFELCTION:

Business leader -  if you claim to follow Christ - consider these questions. Set aside some quiet time. Be still. Invite the Lord to inform your thinking, and ask yourself:

1. What does this tell me about my expectations of how I think life “should” be?
2. How have these expectations impacted me, my family, my business, my sense of community?
3. In what areas of my life may the Lord be asking me to “die to myself”?
4. Am I willing to say “no” to the things of this world, things that bring death, so that I can say “yes” to the One who offers me life?

Business leader, will you join me in these rich, “trust” declarations? 

Jesus, I trust you…

1. That, my “mid-life crisis” is your invitation to reaffirm my commitment, and submission to You. I receive your loving Lordship in my life. 
2. That, this crisis does not define my identity or journey with you.
3. That you, King Jesus, will do what you have promised…in my life and in my business. 
4. That, you are sovereign and have called me to be faithful - and not successful as defined by the world.
5. That, in the midst of what feels dark, you will never leave me.

If you follow Christ as your loving Lord, remember that attempts to “take your life back” will leave you wanting. In the midst of turmoil, resolve to receive Jesus’ invitation to allow Him to guide you, love you, and be with you as you go through the crisis. 

Are you willing to give up your life so you can receive the life Jesus came to give you?  (John 10:10).