This past Sunday morning was the first morning our launch team met at South-Doyle Middle. I think we all left in awe of what God is going to do in the months and years ahead. Excitement continues to build as our team becomes more committed to the vision God is calling us to pursue. The devil had better get ready because an army called The Overflow is preparing to begin a spiritual war in South Knoxville that we will not lose!
Towards the end of our morning, I asked our group to consider the difference between convictions and preferences. Take a minute and reflect on your own life. Do you live by "preferences" or "convictions?"
People who live by "Preference"
-make decisions without regard to truth and established principles
-struggle to commit to anything
-only want what's easy for themselves
-often change their views on certain issues
-say one thing and do another
-rarely make a great impact with their life
-refuse to make sacrifices or steps of faith
-say they believe in God but live as if He doesn't exist
People who live by "Conviction"
-are guided by truth and principles and make decisions carefully
-make commitments and stick to them
-want what's best for themselves and those around them even if it cost them greatly
-remain steady in their beliefs even if the culture says otherwise
-backup their words with actions
-walk with integrity and leave legacies for others to follow
-take steps of faith and make sacrifices because they are submitted to God's authority
-believe in God and live like He is their Lord, not just the guy in the sky
We also connected this to our core values, and here are some thoughts from that...
Authenticity: As a preference we can choose to be fake when we want, as a conviction we understand that living as a real, genuine example of Jesus Christ is a daily expectation
Love: As a preference we only love people who fit a certain mold, as a conviction we love all people no matter what they've done or where they've been
Honor: As a preference we only honor people who respect us, as a conviction we honor God's authority in all our decisions and honor all people because they are His creation
Community: As a preference we can choose to do life in isolation, as a conviction we understand that living in community is commanded by God and essential to our well-being
Generosity: As a preference we give of our time, abilities, and resources when it's convenient, as a conviction we give regardless of our circumstances or how we feel
Excellence: As a preference we serve with excellence only when the masses are watching, as a conviction we embrace excellence even when no one else is around
Expansion: As a preference we "might" seek to share God's love with others, as a conviction we do so because we know it's why God has left us on this earth
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