Catalyst Track: Dream Big, Think Small // Day Two

This track comes from Jeff Manion’s new book, Dream Big, Think Small.

 

The term “finishing strong” has become overused to the point that it seems cliché. But as a runner, and as a pastor moving into his fourth decade in ministry, the term conjures a powerful image for me—a picture of not bailing when the race gets tough but of crossing the finish line.

 

I don’t want to simply endure ministry, marriage, and friendships. I want to remain fully engaged—bringing the best version of myself to the needs of those around me. I don’t want to ever become a guy standing behind a lectern uttering mechanical, formulaic, pathetic words that lack comfort, power, and challenge.

 

 I don’t want to quit before I finish.

 

Over the next 3 days, Jeff shares the veteran wisdom he’s acquired from years in ministry. Whether you are just embarking on your journey of leadership, or you’ve been on this trail for a while, there are timeless insights in this track to help you continue to lead others well. 

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DAY 2: Cultivating Life Rhythms

 

A recent particularly memorable “guys’ night out” for me was not a play-off game with a bunch of dudes in a friend’s man cave, but instead an evening spent with my son and grandson. My wife and daughter-in-law were away at an event, so Alex and I decided to hang out at his place. While Alex made pasta, I played with Preston, who was eleven months old at the time.

 

Seated at their dining room table, I enjoyed Spaghetti Carbonara while shoveling vegetable puree into Preston. My pace of feeding him was unsatisfactory for the little guy, and the meal deteriorated as he smeared the luscious substance around his face and into his hair. I don’t know when you last watched a baby feed him- or herself, but it’s quite entertaining. It was truly a full-body experience.

 

With dinner complete, I extracted Preston from his high chair and shuttled him at arm’s length to the bathtub for a much-needed ritual of cleansing. Then came the wrestling match to zip him into his footed pajamas before putting him to bed.

 

His parents have reenacted this sequence scores of times—this nightly rhythm of dinner, bath, and bed.

It might be monotonous sometimes, but stable families have a consistent, dependable rhythm. Around the edges, a creative family will embrace new activities and experiences.

 

But look closely, and you will discover structured routine in their days, a dependable pattern built on redundancy and rhythm. Life and love are transmitted in these endlessly repeated activities.

 

REFLECT:

No matter what stage of life you’re in (married, single, parent, etc.), there are consistent life rhythms you can practice.

 

Take a moment to think about what your daily life looks like. What rhythms do you already have that you want to keep prioritizing? What rhythms would be beneficial to implement? Share your thoughts in the comments below.