A higher standard of living

Sensitive to the weight of what you're carrying

Last week marked 10 blog posts and so far I think it's been an incredible journey getting to navigate this new creative space. In NYA fashion, I evaluated how the blog was going thus far, being thankful for how it’s helped me and so many others. During this reflection, I decided to slightly shift the direction of the blog to become a lot more personal; growing publicly whilst I concurrently and actively explore thoughts. I began writing in response to some advice I was given to start journaling; living such an active lifestyle prevented me from taking stock of my many blessings. So writing started, for myself as a cure; documenting life’s many lessons in this attempt to live this life ‘poured out.’ Integrating this exploration of real-time thoughts approach has its caveats, some ideas may not be the actual full picture as they’re not fully developed. Previous pieces are things I believe to be ‘set’, but making this even more personal means for myself there’s no onus to get things 100% right every time. As I learn I will share, with the freedom to change my ideas on more nebulous topics as God takes me through that constant ‘renewing of the mind’ process (Romans 12:12.) But with this, there’s also a balance of stewarding this ‘platform’ properly, realising that with one touch of a button I could send material to hundreds of people. 

So what am I saying? There are things I'm certain on and others I'm assuming the posture of a student of knowledge to explore further. For infallible truth, please go to the bible and I encourage you to critically engage with what I put out (Test each spirit, 1 John 4:1.) I’m confident in what I release into the world and I hope as I shape and give language to my thoughts the pieces continue to stimulate your growth journey. 

Enjoy today's piece people

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I’ve tried to live a normal life, it never worked. Was never made to be normal, so going with the grain never felt comfortable. But why is that…

Something that's been coming up a lot recently is this call to a “higher standard of living” when one finds themselves in particular positions. Especially for people in leadership, this higher standard is something that's been run away from recently. We’ve got leaders trying to live a ‘normal’ life when you just can't. I define leadership as responsibility over a person, place, or matter thus giving one a given amount of influence or put shortly; stewarding a God-given jurisdiction in a sphere of influence. I genuinely believe that in order to competently lead people, one must have a standard they uphold and hold themselves to. I’m reminded of the ‘Steady through the Storm’ where I spoke about how you need to have attributes of your character that are unwavering and incorrigible. This ‘higher’ standard of living is not something that should be boasted of, but also shouldn’t be something that we shy away from. When an individual is sensitive to what they’re carrying, using the imagery of a pregnant woman, their actions are conducive to the responsibility they have. 

A couple of weeks back there was a place I found myself (if I could have stayed home I would) that I genuinely felt uncomfortable in. I just knew I shouldn't have been there. I didn’t post a single snap showing my location, because I knew I shouldn't have been there and I didn't want the world to know I was there either (it's actually funny when I think of it because the place isn’t as dark as I'm making it out to be.) It was one of those where I didn't let people even video me there (colloquially known as catching me lacking.) It’s not because I wanted to succumb to social perceptions of myself, but this place was actually not my scene. The kind of person I am, there are simply social environments I don't enjoy and/or don’t find conducive to my growth or the positions I'm in. I sometimes joke that imagine if I was somewhere where I ‘shouldn’t’ be and someone says “isn’t that the guy that writes that blog ‘Filling and Pouring’ that speaks about God, why is he here?” As much as this hints at the hypocrisy of man's heart (because why are they there then), it’s not always a wrong thing to say/think as even when certain government ministers couldn't keep their hands to themselves during the pandemic, it was their position in government and the responsibility that comes with more than anything that outraged people. 

If I may, I'd boldly say that every believer has been called to a ‘higher standard of living’ through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit. I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 2:4 where Paul draws parallels between regimented soldiers and believers. In this verse “ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer” lies a phrase me and some of my friends say to each other. As a believer, there are genuinely things that are beneath you, that through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit you overcome and your desires veer away from. This “civilian affairs” phrase has so much in it, ostensibly speaking to that expression of “being in the world but not of it.” This isn't from a “legalistic” or pious disposition but one that looks from an angle of things being permissible but not beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23)  to the weight of influence a person carries. Further in the chapter (you can probably tell this book is my favourite) we see in vs.20 we’re called to be instruments for special use adding to that idea of being reserved by the master for specific purposes. 

Thought: I'm growing to like the idea that leaders should be ‘Far enough where they can be admired and close enough to be relatable.’ I hear stories of some of the most successful football managers not partying with their players to keep that relationship fixed. I do believe there is a fine balance, one that takes time to master. 

Please do comment your thoughts and share if you enjoyed it.

NYA