Tailwind!
Andy Stanley famously said, “Your greatest accomplishment may not be something you do but someone you raise.”
By the grace of God each of our three kids is thriving. In addition, the leaders I have mentored continue to inspire me with what they are doing for Christ and His kingdom.
Last week one of my friends and former staff associates thanked me for changing the trajectory of his life. Darrell Hammond now works with The Slingshot organization, a national search firm serving churches and non-profits. Darrell's impact is increasing by the day!
He’s not alone. Today I had lunch with another friend and former staff associate who launched and now leads a national organization serving foster kids, America’s Kids Belong. Once again, what Brian Mavis is doing far exceeds anything that I have done for him!
Like you, I always wish I could do more for those God brings my way. But this I know, you don’t need a lot of people in your life; you just need the right people!
The people surrounding you will either serve as headwind or tailwind. That is, they will either hold you back or propel you forward. Brian Mavis just shared the following story that powerfully illustrates the point.
My mentor, Joe Ritchie, holds the world record for the fastest time flying across the country in a turboprop plane. In fact, he smashed the old record, averaging more than 100 miles an hour faster.
One morning, over coffee, I asked Joe, “What’s the story about you flying across the country faster than anyone else?”
Joe took a sip from his cup and said, “Oh, my buddy, Steve Fossett, liked collecting world records, and I had the plane to do it. Chuck Yeager had the record. When Chuck flew, he removed everything that wasn’t needed for flying, and when he landed, he flew it so hard he burned up both engines.”
Joe continued, “When we took my plane, I didn’t strip it, and when we landed, the engines were fine.”
I asked the obvious question: “So, how’d you do it?”
Joe took another sip, put his cup down, and said, “Tailwind.”
He wasn’t done and went into mentor mode. “Always look for tailwind. And the best way to find tailwind is who you choose to work with. The right people will give you tailwind.”
Covenant Connections is multiplying not because of me but because of those working with me! That’s why I am giving top priority to mentoring multipliers in the care of souls. Here’s what they have in common:
Uncommon Character - They have congruence of head and heart! They are people of proven integrity and who reject duplicity - what they say, they do!
Uncommon Competency - They each have continued to sharpen their skills without neglecting the health of their soul. They are growing in depth as life long learners!
Uncommon Capacity - They are not complacent. Regardless of age or accomplishments, they are still leaning forward and humbly embracing even greater responsibilities!
Uncommon Commitment to Culture - Those serving with me as ambassadors in the core of Covenant Connections understand “why” we do what we do and are committed to replicating it!
When I put my wristband on every morning I’m reminded that I’m surrounded. I’m surrounded by God’s grace and God’s good people! My heart allies inspire me; they are good for my soul! As Proverbs 27:17 proclaims: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.
Grace and Peace,
Alan
