When I was a campus minister at Pittsburg State University, I painted “3 YEARS” above my doorway so every time I walked out of my office I would remember that I have an average of 3 years with each student to help them meet Jesus, fall in love with Him and build a real relationship with Him. Many times students would read my slogan and ask for it’s meaning. Following the lead of the 1970’s Tootsie Pop TV commercial, my response was the same every time… “The world may never know!”
You see, “3 Years” was not for them. It was for me. Me alone. I’ve found that it’s much more motivational when it’s my little secret. These are motivators that I only share with a select few so that they can know me on a more personal level… and for accountability.
Recently I have been chiseling out a few different personal motivating slogans. Most have not been “doorway” worthy but I do have a couple that capsulize my life-focus & goals.
But who should I share these with? Who could I let into my inner-circle?
Sooooo, my blog-following friends… you are my chosen ones. I’ve decided to share my “secret handshake” with you.
I hope you like’em! Here we go:
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~STRINGS NOT INCLUDED~
~REBOOT~
~YOURS AND HIS~
STRINGS NOT INCLUDED
You know this one. Fill in the blank… “__________ not included.” You are reminded every year around someone’s birthday, during the holiday season, or when the cable guy sets up your system. Inevitably, a box is opened and everything is included to get you going… except the batteries/lights/accessories/Barbie/action figure. Bummer.
So what if I build my relationships the same way… without strings? Wouldn’t it be great to get to know people and not attach preconceived notions or stereotypes to them? This has been a HUGE eye-opener for me. Instead of caring about a person’s income, hang-ups, or glorious achievements, I have been learning to love without condition. Strings not included!
REBOOT
Show me one person who has not had their computer crash and I will show you a person who has never owned a computer. It’s inevitable. In the middle of a project, near a deadline… Argh! Just thinking about the times that this has happened to me makes my heart palpitate. I’m due.
The same is true in relationships, is it not? There are times when things get out of line and you just need a reboot; a do over. Many times I have sat down with people that I’ve wronged, hurt, misunderstood and apologized for my “doings.” Jesus talked about this is Matthew chapter 5: If someone holds something against you, you should go to them and reconcile. Yep, it’s humiliating and scary but the healing is worth it. The same is true when someone comes to you seeking to make amends. When you release someone from the prison that they have built for themselves, freedom and joy occurs… and God is glorified. There is no better thing you or I can do for another person than to forgive.
YOURS AND HIS
Everyone should have a mentor that they go to for guidance and good counsel. One of mine was (he has since passed away) a fellow that I met while in campus ministry. This saying always accompanied his signature in letters and emails. His desire was simply to be a reflection of Jesus. He was yours and His… and it was obvious to everyone that he came into contact with.
Remember the first note that you wrote to your girl/boyfriend in grade school? Remember finishing up the letter and, coming to the end, realized that you have to sign off with something that reveals your true love forever??? Remember holding the pen in your hand and your palms suddenly get sweaty?
“Should I write, ‘Love, JW?’ What happens if she thinks I’m weird?” Again with the heart palpitations… sigh.
The same is true with “Yours and His.” When I write it, I mean it. Sometimes I have to ponder whether I should write it at all. For me, it’s not just for emails and letters. It’s about how I live to let God and those around me know that I want to love deeply and intensely.
God deserves my best… and so do you.
So, what do you think of my mottos? They definitely represent the core of who I am as a person. Do I follow my own advice? Honestly… not all the time. That’s why I wrote them down. I need motivation and personal reminders of my core purpose!
So what’s your motto(s)? Do you have a focus in your life that you hope/long/strive for? If not, wrestle with it. Dig your purpose out of the closet and write it down. Make your own awesome motto and tell just a few close pals what it means and what you are trying to accomplish… just don’t put it on the internet where EVERYONE can get to it…
Yours and His,
J.W. Bergmann
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for letting your blog readers into your inner circle. If I were to post anything by the door it might be, “You never know.”
Thank you for your insights. When I give, my motto is “no stings attached”. That way it is given totally out of love and freewill, not looking for ANYthing in return, even a thank you. I feel that is the way Christ expects me to give.
Thanks for sharing this with us! I know I need to be reminded often that my purpose should be His purpose. My motto is from John “He must increase” – I try to live life with that in mind and then respond with the second part “I must decrease”- I’m a work in progress.
I liked this. I enjoyed making some of my own slogans as well (I call them bumper stickers). The 3 years one really hit me. It’s something we’ve been working on at my local fellowship, creating a training environment that realizes that we only have three years (average).
Thank you for pointing me here from twitter. Subscribed.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Nice thoughts. There’s been a couple of teachers and preacher that made a difference in my life with mottos they lived out.
loved your thoughts focusing on purpose. in college, on the back of my dorm room door, i had “you are now entering the mission field”. we should remember what God has called each of us to. blessings!!
I so enjoy your personal insight-Something that has encouraged me and was sparked by my pastor’s sermon was to look at everything I do, no matter how mundane it was, as being “In Service to Him (Our Father in Heaven)”; This is a reminder that even just talking to our neighbors next door, down the street or at the grocery store, is part of being a representative of our Heavenly Father and we don’t have to go out of the country to be “missionaries” but sometimes sharing the Word of Christ is as simple as just showing what He has done in and through our lives.
The same goes when we are on the internet, or FB or blogging, that this is an informal method of sharing His word and in a way, can be seen as being 24/7 missionaries-Yes, even just ordering a cup of coffee can be missionary work.
We don’t have to share His word to make a difference but just by our actions; If we act in a Christ-like way, it reflects that to others without having to say a word and if people ask what is the source of our happiness or why we do why we do, as I simply repy,”I see everything I do, an act of service to our Heavenly Father”.