Embracing Action: The Power of Reinvention and Agency

 

Summary

In today's reflection, I shared a story about a friend who faced a challenging period in his life, where his dreams seemed shattered. Instead of waiting for restoration, he embraced the idea of reinvention. This shift in perspective led him to a new path of coaching and helping others, demonstrating the power of agency and action. This story serves as a reminder that while waiting on the Lord is important, it should not lead to passivity. The Bible encourages us to trust in God and surrender to His will, but it also calls us to take action and exercise our God-given agency.

The parable of the talents illustrates this principle well. The servants who took initiative and risked their resources were commended, while the one who buried his talent was rebuked for his passivity. This teaches us that being passive is not a scriptural guarantee of finding God's will. Instead, we are called to exercise dominion, to bring creation to its fullest potential through creativity, strength, and energy in service of the good.

The concept of agency is deeply rooted in Christian thought, as highlighted by the Apostle Paul's teachings on human freedom and moral agency. Each of us has a kingdom, a realm of influence where we are called to act and make decisions. This is not about exploiting or dominating, but about nurturing and stewarding what God has entrusted to us.

Today, I encourage you to identify an area in your life where you have been passive and take a single step of action. Whether it's caring for your body, feeding your mind, reaching out to someone, or managing your finances, taking action can bring hope and remind you of your agency. You are not a victim or a robot; you are a person made to reign with God. Seize the day and take action.

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace Reinvention: When life doesn't go as planned, consider the possibility of reinvention rather than waiting for restoration. This shift in perspective can open new paths and opportunities for growth and service. [01:34]

- Active Waiting: Waiting on the Lord involves trust and surrender, but it does not mean passivity. We are called to take action and exercise our God-given agency, as demonstrated in the parable of the talents. [03:14]

- Exercise Dominion: We are made in the image of God to exercise dominion, not by exploiting, but by nurturing and bringing creation to its fullest potential through creativity and strength. [09:17]

- Human Agency: The Apostle Paul's teachings highlight the importance of human freedom and moral agency. Each of us has a kingdom, a realm of influence where we are called to act and make decisions. [10:06]

- Take Action: Identify an area in your life where you have been passive and take a single step of action. This can bring hope and remind you of your agency, as you are made to reign with God. [11:40]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - A Friend's Story of Loss
[01:34] - From Restoration to Reinvention
[02:17] - Abdication of Agency in Churches
[02:34] - True Meaning of Waiting on the Lord
[03:30] - Parable of the Talents
[04:20] - Misguided Passivity
[05:48] - Toxic Church Environments
[07:17] - Exercise of Dominion
[08:21] - Serenity Prayer and Action
[08:46] - Finding Beauty in Action
[09:34] - Inventing the Individual
[10:20] - Rise Up and Take Action
[11:40] - Seize the Day
[12:15] - Community and Connection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents)
2. Genesis 1:26-28 (Exercise Dominion)
3. Galatians 5:13 (Human Freedom and Moral Agency)

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Observation Questions:

1. In the parable of the talents, what actions did the first two servants take that led to them being commended? How did their actions differ from the third servant? [03:30]

2. According to the sermon, what does "waiting on the Lord" truly mean, and how does it differ from passivity? [02:34]

3. How does the concept of exercising dominion, as mentioned in Genesis, relate to the idea of nurturing and stewarding what God has entrusted to us? [09:17]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the abdication of agency in church contexts? [02:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the parable of the talents challenge the notion that passivity is a way to find God's will? What might this imply about the role of risk and initiative in a believer's life? [03:43]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the concept of "waiting on the Lord" can be misinterpreted? How can this misinterpretation affect one's spiritual growth? [05:15]

3. How does the idea of exercising dominion align with the Apostle Paul's teachings on human freedom and moral agency? What responsibilities does this place on believers? [10:06]

4. How might the story of the pastor's friend who chose reinvention over restoration serve as a model for dealing with personal setbacks? [01:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on an area in your life where you have been passive. What is one specific action you can take this week to exercise your God-given agency in that area? [11:40]

2. Consider a situation where you have been "waiting on the Lord." How can you discern whether this waiting is leading to passivity? What steps can you take to ensure you are actively participating in God's plan? [02:34]

3. Think about your "kingdom" or realm of influence. How can you nurture and steward it more effectively to bring it to its fullest potential? [09:17]

4. Identify a personal dream or goal that seems shattered. How might you embrace the idea of reinvention rather than waiting for restoration? What new paths could this open for you? [01:34]

5. How can you apply the principle of exercising dominion in your daily life without exploiting or dominating others? What practical steps can you take to serve the good through creativity and strength? [09:17]

6. Reflect on a time when you may have abdicated your agency in the name of spirituality. How can you take ownership of your choices and actions moving forward? [06:33]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to rise up and take action in their own lives? What role can you play in supporting them? [10:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Power of Reinvention
In times of shattered dreams and unexpected challenges, the path of reinvention can lead to new opportunities and growth. Instead of waiting for circumstances to change, consider how a shift in perspective might open doors to new paths. This approach is not about abandoning hope for restoration but about actively seeking ways to serve and grow in the present moment. Embracing reinvention can be a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for transformation. [01:34]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel stuck or defeated? How can you begin to explore new possibilities for reinvention today?


Day 2: Active Waiting on the Lord
Waiting on the Lord is a dynamic process that involves trust, surrender, and action. It is not a call to passivity but an invitation to engage with life actively while trusting in God's timing and wisdom. The parable of the talents illustrates the importance of taking initiative and using one's resources wisely. By actively waiting, you align yourself with God's purposes and open yourself to His guidance and provision. [03:14]

Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Reflection: In what ways have you been passive in your spiritual journey? What is one step you can take today to actively wait on the Lord?


Day 3: Exercise Dominion with Creativity and Strength
Exercising dominion is about nurturing and stewarding what God has entrusted to you, not exploiting or dominating. You are called to bring creation to its fullest potential through creativity, strength, and energy. This involves recognizing your God-given agency and using it to serve the good. By exercising dominion, you participate in God's creative work and contribute to the flourishing of the world around you. [09:17]

Genesis 1:28 (ESV): "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts and talents to nurture and steward the areas of influence in your life?


Day 4: Embrace Human Agency and Freedom
The teachings of the Apostle Paul highlight the importance of human freedom and moral agency. Each person has a realm of influence where they are called to act and make decisions. This is not about control but about nurturing and stewarding what God has entrusted to you. Embracing your agency means recognizing your ability to make choices that align with God's will and contribute to the well-being of others. [10:06]

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects your commitment to using your freedom to serve others?


Day 5: Take Action and Seize the Day
Identifying areas of passivity in your life and taking action can bring hope and remind you of your agency. You are not a victim or a robot; you are a person made to reign with God. By taking a single step of action, you can begin to transform your circumstances and align yourself with God's purposes. Seize the day and embrace the opportunities before you. [11:40]

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been passive? What specific action can you take today to begin to change that?

Quotes


uh CU he kept waiting God when will you give me back what it is that I've lost when will you give me back that dream that is shattered and then the thought that came was what if this season is not about restoration what if it's about reinvention and when he told me that I thought about uh a sentence that has lived with me for years in a difficult season when a friend said to me you can reinvent yourself and I thought yeah I can [00:01:30]

now in the Bible that phrase wait on the Lord is real important and what it means is I'm to put my trust in God I'm to surrender to the good so that I will always uh be ready to do what it is that I know that God wants me to do rather than just get my own will done if I want it to be done I will not try to control uh things that are not under my control or my sphere of influence [00:02:37]

the two men who get commended are servants who take what they have been given and they seize the initiative and they take risks and they are creative and they are quite fearless and there's a return on the investment but the third guy's passive buries in the ground and Jesus words to describe him are wicked and lazy really [00:03:30]

the idea that uh being passive is a guarantee role to finding God's will for your life is superstition it is not scriptural I remember talking to a guy one time who uh really wanted a job hey you're going to want to hear the metaphor at the end of John's story there I know so real quick also excuse all the boxes I'm working on upcoming become new project [00:03:53]

I attend the a Christian College where several men developed the reputation as spiritual leaders conveniently these leaders would break up with romantic partners by offering a reason that God had told them to end the relationship or because they were seeking God and didn't want this relationship to get in the way in reality they lacked the courage to take ownership and responsibility for their choices and hid behind an impenetrable defense of spirituality [00:05:58]

there is nothing spiritual about passivity because we were made in the image of God and the Bible's word for this is to exercise Dominion God says rule over the Earth subdue it and the idea is not you know boss it around or exploit it not at all it's to bring it to the fullness of its potential to exercise creativity and strength and energy in the service of the good [00:09:04]

every human being has a kingdom every human being is a moral agent and is accountable to God and that's a really good thing um uh he talks in here about how Paul's Vision on the road to Damascus amounted to the discovery of human Freedom a moral agency potentially available to everybody to each individual [00:10:04]

today rise up and take action there's something about taking action because that is the exercise of our kingdom that is your little Reign um there's something about that that brings spirit and energy and power to life so what's an area in your life where you have been putting off taking action where you've been sitting or been passive and you could just take one single step today [00:10:30]

when folks are struggling for example with depression very often learning to take a single step of action when I don't feel like it brings a sense of hope why does it do that CU I'm reminded when I do that oh yeah I too have a kingdom and I'm not alone and God is with me so that's the invitation today Seize the Day take action you have a story you are not a victim you are not a robot you are not determined you are a person and you are made to Reign together with God [00:11:23]

I was talking to a very good friend today and he was describing these last few years which have been very difficult in his life he did not get the story he wanted he's very gifted guy very artistic very creative very intelligent great coach for people and it worked really hard to create um work that he loved doing and through a uh series of events that were just Soul crushing to him all of that was taken away from him and he said he was on a pathway where uh he was feeling increasingly bitter [00:00:52]

I think about Jesus talking about the parable on the of the talents the two men who get commended are servants who take what they have been given and they seize the initiative and they take risks and they are creative and they are quite fearless and there's a return on the investment but the third guy's passive buries in the ground and Jesus words to describe him are wicked and lazy really [00:03:28]

I remember talking to a guy one time who uh really wanted a job hey you're going to want to hear the metaphor at the end of John's story there I know so real quick also excuse all the boxes I'm working on upcoming become new project but we've been talking about story for 63 episodes now the series will end with episode 64 so we're almost there but the reason we've been talking about story so much is because story matters to John Your Story matters and we know that nobody gets the story We Want but that's okay because your story matters immensely as it is to God and it matters to us to become new [00:04:07]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?