First, some bonus material on last week’s theme…dealing with Character and Suffering. Stuff that was left on the cutting room floor. I’m repeating this from a post I did last week, because I thought folk might not see it if they’re just tuning in. For today’s topic, please scroll down to the next boldfaced stuff.

First is a quote by the ancient Greek tragedian Aeschylus. Dick Brown mentioned it going out from church last Sunday:

“He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. “

Second is a movie recommendation. It’s the movie – a true “sleeper” – called The Big Kahuna. It’s a short flick – only about 90 minutes – and I think was originally a one-act play. It features Danny Devito, Kevin Spacey and another actor (not a big name). Anyway, most of the action takes place in a hotel room during an industrial lubricants conference – among 3 salesmen. It’s about their attempt to land “The Big Kahuna”, and involves themes around religion, salesmanship, and…of course…character. An excellent film, well worth a watch. I had my whole confirmation class watch it once.

Today’s theme: Do you know what you are aiming at in life? (OK, William Safire…”at what you’re aiming….) One of the items I’m going to speak about in today’s sermon (egad, I’m behind!) is how important it is to articulate the principles on which our life is based, if one is to be conscious of the kind of character one wishes to cultivate. I reviewed again Steven Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, which I think is a very good, basic primer on this subject. One of his “habits” is this: Begin with the end in mind. He suggests writing a mission statement for your life, as a way to articulate a) What is most important to you in your life; and b) Around what values (virtues) and principles do you seek to organize your life?

Once we’ve done this, we can then measure how it is we are acting out of those values and virtues. Is generosity one of my primary values? Well, how am I being generous? Is being an excellent parent a primary goal of my life? What am I doing to be an excellent parent?

For Christians, there’s an important principle not to miss here, too. We believe we are not solely “self-powered” creatures – but we are able to accomplish our purpose through a combination of human sweat, and divine help. Prayer is important. Asking God, whose power is able to renovate any human life, how we wish to be shaped and formed, is an important part of the process as well. “Ask…seek…knock.” We don’t get there only by sheer muscular human will.

So…I guess I have my work cut out for me, after preaching this sermon. To take pen in hand, and write a mission statement. This is not the first time I’ve done this – but mine needs updating. It really can be a very powerful process!
Anybody out there willing to take a stab?

Onward,

Jeff V.