We are exceptionally prone to tunnel vision - to navel gazing and all forms of self-absorption. It's understandable when you consider how busy most of us are. But it is sub-optimal and will soon have us living well below our calling. In his book "Start with Why", Simon Sinek says:
Management consultants and life coaches have taken to Sinek's philosophies like ducks to water. One strategist likened the "WHY" question to the "view from 30 000ft". This is the cruising altitude of a passenger aeroplane and it's the altitude at which, depending on the light, you can sometimes even discern the earth's curvature.
Our busy lives however tend to restrict our altitude to100ft - that's about 30 metres from the ground. We are hardly clear of the trees and power lines at this elevation. To use Sinek's analogy...we are stuck in the WHAT. We need to learn the difference between "zooming in" and "zooming out".
The Proverbs 31 "woman" appears to have found the balance between her WHY and WHAT she knows when to Zoom... Look at verse 19:
"Very few people or companies can clearly articulate WHY they do what they do. By WHY I mean your purpose, cause or belief - Why does your organisation exist? WHY do you get out of bed every morning? And WHY should anyone care?"
Management consultants and life coaches have taken to Sinek's philosophies like ducks to water. One strategist likened the "WHY" question to the "view from 30 000ft". This is the cruising altitude of a passenger aeroplane and it's the altitude at which, depending on the light, you can sometimes even discern the earth's curvature.
Our busy lives however tend to restrict our altitude to100ft - that's about 30 metres from the ground. We are hardly clear of the trees and power lines at this elevation. To use Sinek's analogy...we are stuck in the WHAT. We need to learn the difference between "zooming in" and "zooming out".
The Proverbs 31 "woman" appears to have found the balance between her WHY and WHAT she knows when to Zoom... Look at verse 19:
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
The picture is of someone living in the WHAT - living at 100ft. Intense focus, razor-sharp concentration. Commitment to the task
But now let's look at the very next verse
"She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy"
What a juxtaposition! What amazing flexibility: "hands to the distaff and spindle", almost in a heartbeat give way to "open hands" and hands that "reach out" to meet the needs of others. Our Proverbs 31 Woman toggles effortlessly between "zooming in and zooming out", between WHAT and WHY. The first is lived out in light of the second.
Our church Vision is a coherent unity of WHY and WHAT. Are you as clear on your own?
Absolutely truthful!
ReplyDeleteHow can we come to the full measure of the stature of Christ without understanding ‘Why’ we do ‘What’ - Ability to zoom In and Out!
Very relevant to me.
Thanks Brian