Realizing Isolation as Part of Healing

I realize that no blog post can be inclusive of all points of view, but I find myself wanting to respond to this post on isolation as a negative part of healing. 
http://blog.christianleadershipalliance.org/2014/09/15/six-steps-towards-healing-for-the-wounded-leader/

In her PhD dissertation, Shelley Trebesch focuses on periods of isolation as required time spent seeking an intimacy with God. Intimacy is the place where we recognize our need before our Creator and become honest in regard to being His steward. Shelley outlines a number of processes that take place in isolation that often come in response to organizational discipline (Trebesch 1997, 35-43):

1.  Stripping – sometimes the cause of the isolation (as it was with my self-initiated sabbatical after my resignation), a leader will face his or her identity – or loss of identity – in view of a separation from ministry whether voluntary or involuntary.

2.  Wrestling with God – if the isolation is forced, this brings the leader to desperately search for God and their true identity apart from the position and activity of ministry. This spiritual exertion can be as literal as Jacob’s interaction with God in Genesis 32, as we cling to God until we realize contentment.

3.  Increased Intimacy – this stage brings about an openness and honesty of the leader’s weakness, brokenness and vulnerability. There is a freedom in allowing others to see their hearts in this state. Leaders will often truncate this process here as it can be too painful, or they find another outlet for ministry. However, for those who are able to separate themselves from the position of ministry, they will discover a growing satisfaction in Christ alone.

4.  Released to Look Toward the Future – Rather than succumb to the temptation to truncate this process, the leader must allow God to remove them when He is ready. There will be an intuitive renewal and openness to the future. This is often when leadership emergence reveals itself.

I personally experienced this isolation process in 2006, following my voluntary resignation from a ministry, as I found myself seriously questioning my leadership ability and competency for ministry. It was paradoxical to me at that time, that while many other local organizations were seeking out my leadership, there was an unmistakable barrier between them and me . . . until which time I came through that process with a clear freedom to accept a new position.

The process was undesired, but critical to my spiritual formation, as well as my professional growth as a leader. It was only after my acceptance of a new position as God’s direction for me that I was contacted by the other organizations with the news that I was not their choice. It was this process that led me to an awareness of God’s preparation of me for a specific ministry position. I also feel that without this process of isolation I would not have been as prepared for continued leadership or for the intense introspection of the MA program that I was undertaking. 

  

I have learned that isolation can be a friend, but also a trap. Use it sparingly, but realize it as part of healing as a leader. 

Shelley Trebesch, “Developing Persons in Christian Organizations: A Case Study of OMF International.” (Ph.D. diss., FTS) 1997.

Some good quotes for me to embrace today

Push aside the expectations of others and instead focus on the appreciation of what you've accomplished. If you believe in it, then that's all the truly matters. - unknown

Don't judge me on the basis of what you heard from others. Judge me on the basis of what YOU know about me, or else try knowing me. - Ashish Basumatary

There's people that are just in awe of what you do, and then there are people who just think it's garbage. And I think there are people who are just uncomfortable seeing someone have fun with their job. - Todd Barry

With fame, you can't trust everybody. You can't depend on them being there for you as a person. They will only be there because of what you've got and what you can bring to their life. It's not a relationship - it's a leech. - Chris Brown

The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give. - Howard Cosell

Believe half of what you see and only some of what you hear, unless you hear it from me. - Chris Daughtry

Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't. - Steve Maraboli

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . ."

Radical Christianity?

I find the argument about whether Christian has to be “radical” in order to be genuine is an interesting conversation. If we look at the etymology of the term Christian, its very roots define such a person “as following and belonging to the anointed one;” a pretty radical calling, if you ask me.   

The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos) [meaning "follower of Christ"] comes from Χριστός (Christos) [meaning "anointed one"] with an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to, or even belonging to, as in slave ownership.^[1}

That being the case, having been bought with the price of Christ’s blood, we are no longer our own, but His. We can do nothing of our own accord, only act as His bond slave – or steward. I suppose the conversation may then shift to the issue of if one is actually following the desires of the Owner or one’s own desires . . . removing themselves from bondage to Christ.

 

As this “bondage” is a voluntary submission—not mandatory—the follower is free to act in the Owner’s interest or their own. It seems to me that such a powerful realization of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice would render a person as fully and forever awestruck of his own need and the fullness of joy in their submission to Him – such as is rendered by C.S.Lewis in his autobiography Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life (1955).

 

My own realization recalls the scene in the film “The Miracle Worker” when young, defiant Helen Keller receives her “sight” and is overcome by joy; her life is changed forever, and spends the rest of her life bringing sight to others. ^[2]

My sight was realized in July of 1976 during vespers at Sequoia National Park, where I worked for the summer. In response to a phase of sincerely seeking His grace and forgiveness, I came to a fuller knowledge of my salvation and committed myself to follow Christ . . . unknowing then what form or manner that path of service would take. I would hope that others observing my life since would say its been somewhat radical.

Having been so surprised by joy, I can’t fathom it anything else . . . He is mine and I am His. And I want others to realize that radical joy as well. 

Notes: 

1.     Bickerman, 1949 p. 147, All these Greek terms, formed with the Latin suffix -ianus, exactly as the Latin words of the same derivation, express the idea that the men or things referred to, belong to the person to whose name the suffix is added. p. 145, In Latin this suffix produced proper names of the type Marcianus and, on the other hand, derivatives from the name of a person, which referred to his belongings, like fundus Narcissianus, or, by extension, to his adherents, Ciceroniani. (underline mine)

2.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Miracle_Worker_(1962_film)  

A Brief Review of Dallas Willard's "Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ"

[Note: this report was my submittal in the course, ML582: Character, Community and Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2009 and is edited to reflect his passing]

Willard, Dallas, 2002. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

            Dallas Willard (1935-2013) was a professor and former Director of the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he taught since 1965. Willard lived out his personal philosophy within his teaching, writing and in his strategy for his life: “I know what good work is. I’m going to do it, and I expect God to help me. I will give my life to it. Of course, I will be a prisoner of Christ; that’s what I am.”[i] This philosophy is very much evidenced in his writing and in his commitment to allowing the Spirit to reign and provide direction in his life. Although not setting out to teach in a secular university, he was led to do so subsequent to his graduate work. Willard stated that he never self-promoted himself – not seeking a position or a raise – but considers himself a “literalist in terms of the Bible,”[ii] as it relates to advancement coming from God.

            The thesis of this book is that in the process of realizing the character of Christ, one may “remove or master” each impediment to gaining that character (:10-11); and that process should be orderly – not haphazard or mysterious – to those wanting to overcome human (sinful) nature.

            Willard presents five chapters of introductory, foundation-building elements which examines mankind’s frailty in the human existence, and provides support for the development of spiritual formation; including why people often fall short of the ideal of Christ-like character.

An “Interlude” chapter reflects on the reality of seeking this transformation.  It is Willard’s perspective that our own effort falls short; we are in need of God’s grace.  He states that those who are “the greatest saints are not those who need less grace, but those who consume the most grace;” God’s grace sustains them (:93-94).

Willard then lays out through six chapters a process of transformation of: (1) Mind/ Thought; (2) Mind/Feeling; (3) Will; (4) Body; (5) Social Dimension; and (6) Soul.  These areas of one’s self are outlined earlier in chapter two as distinct areas in which we must allow the Spirit to work through for our transformation (:38). 

In the two concluding chapters Willard examines how this process of transformation interfaces with the world and within the local church.  In the world, a contrast of light and darkness presents a picture of the outcome of personal sanctification, and its effect upon us and the world we are in (:224).  Willard then presents God’s plan for spiritual formation within the congregation of the people of God with a focus on being rather than doing. 

This book makes me recall Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline.  While I read Foster’s book in 1978 during a period of discipleship, I find Willard’s book is timely to this era of my life.  Through this book I am able to more fully recognize my shortcomings and how I may have diverted from disciplines in my life, which were a critical and primary element of my new life in Christ.  I am not surprised that Foster provides an endorsement for this book.[iii]

Willard puts flesh on the teaching of sanctification in a way I need to reconsider within my life and leadership ministry, and grasp that the transforming work of the Spirit “. . . brings every element in (my) being, working from inside out, into harmony with the will of God . . .”[iv]  C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce also comes to mind, as the landscape on the way to the Kingdom feels unbearably unreachable until one repents through an act of the will.

---

[i] Dallas Willard, “My Journey To and Beyond Tenure in a Secular University” (Remarks given at the Faculty Forum Luncheon of the C.S. Lewis Foundation Summer Conference, University of San Diego, 21 June 2003), available at http://www.dwillard.org/biography/tenure.asp, Internet.

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] Richard Foster states, “No one has thought more carefully than Dallas Willard about the human personality and how it can be transformed into Christlikeness.” This endorsement is found on the back cover of the hardcover version of Renovation of the Heart.

[iv] A summary which quotes the author is found on the back cover of the hardcover version of Renovation of the Heart.

Rescued from a Cornfield, Restored into Service

I’d like to tell you a story of an airplane . . . (from 1990)

The DC3 is an exceptional aircraft that just won't die! Modern technology hasn't improved on it in decades. It's one of the safest large twin engine airplanes. It has the ability to continue to climb out of a normal takeoff after rotation even if it loses an engine.

The Chief Tariri is no exception. After serving for years in the jungle of South America, it was brought up to the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, NC (where we were going through training) to be completely refurbished. Careful hands worked it over nose to tail – wingtip to wingtip – extended wings; beefed up cargo capacity; new radios . . . boy it looked sharp! Gleaming aluminum in the North Carolina sun with two blue stripes down the fuselage – just sitting on the ramp it looked proud!

All this work was to ready it for a critically needed new assignment in East Africa – in a cooperative effort with Africa Inland Mission.

As the Chief waited for final FAA clearance it was participating in "missions at the airport" events, along with other JAARS aircraft.

As this pristine missionary bird sat on a grass strip in Kidron, Ohio, 27 people buckled up for a ride. After taxiing out to the end of the strip, its twin 14 piston radial engines thundered as the Chief rolled down the soft grass runway. Seconds later, the Chief was plowing through acres of corn waiting to be harvested. Except for one of the pilots who got some cuts, miraculously, all aboard escaped without injury.

The experienced crew had done their best to recover from an engine failure, just after rotation – from a soft, grass airstrip. The line of trees at the end of the runway had kept them from a complete recovery, but they were able to just barely clear the trees and land in the neighboring cornfield. There was corn everywhere, and there the Chief lay, with what appeared as crippling damage. Africa, it seemed, was not to be.

Just before this incident, Leslie and I were just finishing our Intercultural Communications Course and looking forward to our membership status and an assignment with Wycliffe Bible Translators. At the culmination of a 14 year dream, almost two years of intensive training was nearing completion. We joyously told our supporters to expect news of our assignment approval in our next newsletter. Like the DC3, we were ready to take-off for Papua New Guinea.

Our newsletter was written, partnership development plans made, and the children were excited. We roared over the trees and right into the cornfield. We were completely blindsided. Two men were telling us we would never make it in Wycliffe without counseling. Somewhere in the files from our initial Quest orientation course were questions no one had since talked to us about, but fueled concern of the membership office. We were grounded.

We recognized that we had been dealing with a spiritual battle for some time. We met with our course director who was as shocked as we were. He laid hands on us and prayed for us and we felt a complete lifting of the darkness that we had been feeling for months. We got back on track. Finishing our job orientation was a real struggle, as others were given assignments, but we were ministered to by the Personnel and Radio Department directors. They could hardly believe we just didn't pack up the kids in our van and go home. But we changed our plans and went on.

We took a month and a half long partnership development trip throughout the northeast and midwest. We then spent two weeks at a spiritual retreat center in the Appalachia Mountains with a counselor. After a lot of being evaluated, introspection, counseling and prayer, our counselor brought us together to discuss his evaluation. "It's my professional opinion that you are God's people trying to do God's work and Satan is doing his utmost to keep you from going on. You two must have quite a ministry ahead of you." He then recommended that we immediately be given our Member-In-Training status along with our assignment.

You see, a whole group of people went out to that cornfield to help bring the crippled DC3 out and into the repair process. The Chief Tariri is again sitting proudly – on a ramp in East Africa. Loving hands came to its rescue to return it to working condition and to ministry.

We too, had loving hands help us out of our "cornfield" and pray for, and encourage us on to our field of ministry.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."