I love ideas. Even more, I love it when ideas become actualized…
Due to a server being down this past week, I had an unplanned opportunity to take a breather from blogging. I took full advantage of using the server excuse and didn’t do much through this site. 
During this time off, I took time to read some great books like “The Furious Longing of God” by Brennan Manning and “Outliers” by Malcom Gladwell, catch up on reading blogs of people I enjoy, and develop more ideas for New Hope, the Idea Camp, and JustOne.
In the process of taking some time to work on ideas, I was once again reminded that idea formation and implementation are some of my greatest passions in life. Ideas energize me. For others, idea formation may be draining or even stressful when one considers what it takes to actualize an idea. I think I thrive when I consider the challenge of implementation.
I’m currently working on creatively using my passions of idea-making towards efforts that will support God’s work of love in the world. I’m steadily working on endeavors that could possibly blend my life experiences in local church ministry, higher education, consulting, non-profit work, new media, and networking. What will this look like? I have some idea, but not much at this point.
Fortunately, I have some great friends who are helping me develop these various aspects of my life. I suppose some will see me as totally fragmented and unfocused. Others may say that I have taken on too much. From my perspective, I think that the variety of endeavors in my life actually creates a unique mosaic for Kingdom use. I’ll be turning 37 this year and I’m still trying to find myself…or better yet, I’ve concluded that I may never find myself. I feel like I’m prepping for something that doesn’t even exist yet.
Why do I share all this? I would like to ask you to (1) pray for me as I process all that is going on and (2) consider how we could speak into each other’s lives, whatever that would look like.
I love what I do. I love pastoring New Hope, co-leading JustOne, and working on projects like the Idea Camp. I definitely don’t see myself disconnecting with any of these key areas of my life in the immediate future. Quite honestly, there’s so much overlap in these areas that they tend to flow seamlessly with one another. I suppose I’m simply keeping myself open to what God would form in and through me in the next several years.
Although I don’t have clear direction and already have plenty to “do”, I just thought this post would remind all of us to always make space for God’s leading and creative development of his ideas, wherever they may lead and whenever that may be. It’s his work. We just have the privilege of participation.
[Side Note: For those of you who really know me, you'll know NOT to read too much into this... I have no plans for any kind of transition out of current responsibilities... I'm just thinking out loud and reminding everyone (including myself) to be open to what God is forming uniquely in each of us.]
This post is tagged Charles Lee, Personal Update, World of Ideas
8 Comments
I love dreaming up ideas, swim in ideas, and ideating new ideas. I have to confess, though, I don’t have to implement them, though I do hope someone would implement ideas I come up with. My StrengthsFinder theme #2 is ideation. So there you go. Glad you get juiced by implementing — I should pass along more ideas for you to implement
Anyone that seeks to connect: creativity, the local church, culture, technology, and compassion are definitely high up on my prayer list
As you know, you speak into my life from a distance at least weekly, if not sometimes daily. How I can speak into your life is quite intimidating, but something worth challenging myself to. May our ideas merge together at some point in the future once Revolution Church Sacramento is underway later this year. It is one of the things I am believing God for as you were put into my path for a reason bigger than I could have ever imagined, and I’m drenched in sweat trying to keep up with you and praising God for who you are how you inspire me!
Wow, that was fast DJ!!!
I love your ideas! I know some people that would probably love to implement yours. I know I have in the past.
I’m so glad you are continually thinking of new ideas. We need people like you.
good word, Charles. I am also starting to dream up different ideas but unlike you, I do get a little bogged down by the costs, effort, and manpower it would take to implement the ideas. I’m grateful that something like JusticeNOW is picking up steam and God has used it up to now so I guess it’s a testament to how ideas spread when it involves love of others. An idea spreads more easily when people can see the immediate value in it. Other times, it requires an invite and a journeying-with. For the record, I believe in the Idea Camp and love what it stands for! you got my support!
Hey Dave, thanks so much for the note! Just know that you have full permission to speak into my life. I totally respect you and your efforts in Sacramento. I look forward to a lifetime of working together.
DK, thanks so much bro! I’m so proud of you and what you’ve developed through JusticeNOW. You have no idea what an impact you’ve made in the lives of thousands (literally). Pretty humbling to consider. I’m glad we’ve been able to connect more often this past year…I know more opportunities are arising for us to work together.
Hey Charles, it was nice “meeting you” for a few moments tonight on the Justice Now webcast. I will have to watch it in its entirety when I have better internet streaming (anywhere except here in my house here in Cebu).
Not knowing you at all other than through Idea Camp, I have been inspired by people like you and DK because I have seen a glimpse of what God can do when he uses men of ideas for His kingdom. Our world lacks imagination and that would include the Body of Christ too. We should be contantly be open to be our minds being blown away by our Creator, who gave us minds to dream, imagine, and vision.
As I began to share with you, I am here serving with International Justice Mission here in Cebu – basically living out my dream. I am Filipino-American and being able to use both my professional skills and imagination, I have had the opportunity to help cast vision of how we can serve some of the most vulneratble of God’s children – young survivors of sex trafficking. I will share more about the project as I did with DK via email. But I just want to tell you here that beyond the sense of mission that He gives people like is and where or what that leads us to, he is shaping me in ways that I cannot describe. The location, the activity, the mission is almost irrevelevant. He is shaping me – which is the point. That almost doesn’t make sense to me but perhaps you can relate. So may God continue to wreck, disturb, and tease your restless mind. This is what he is doing to me, and I cannot be more at rest and peace.
We’ll be in touch – Russ
PS. Reading Brennan’s Manning – The Signature of Jesus – this week – that man seems to make me smile and wince at the same time.
Thanks for the kind not Russ! It was good to meet you online as well.
I look forward to connecting with you when you get back to the States next month. Please email me at connectwithcharles@gmail.com when you get back. Love to hear more about your work.
Also, in regards to Brennan Manning, I feel the same way…love the tension… I think that’ why I like him
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