Is it time to adjust?

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 2:12-14

LifeLong Learning

I'm exploring new job opportunities and it's clear that continuous learning, new skills, and certifications are essential. One company even asked who I regularly learn from. (As Christians, Jesus of Nazareth should be our answer.)

To advance, we can't maintain the status quo; constant workplace changes, like generative AI, demand ongoing growth. How often do we "drift" instead of intentionally focusing on the 5% only we can do, as we discussed in MD5?

This made me consider where I've grown complacent in Faith, Family, Friends, Finances, Fitness, and Margin. Where do I need to adjust my life plan as my stage of life changes? Have you revisited yours?

My co-facilitator, Russell Dorsey, keeps his on his phone for regular access. For me, the family segment needs adjustment as my children enter their teenage years—a massive shift with all those hormones! Just as we learn new workplace skills, we need to adapt our intentional living as life stages change. My wife challenges our family to reframe thinking, behavior, and communication, aiming to change unhealthy patterns inherited from our own upbringing.

An Example

For instance, do we calmly communicate or actively engage in the emotional "heavy lifting" of teaching our kids about Christ? I struggle with this. My wife calls calmness a "superpower" when dealing with kids' consequences. I've sought counseling, read parenting books, and regularly try to implement this since MD5.

Parenting is a never-ending journey of growth. Whether you're in the "sandwich" stage, an empty nester, or don't have kids, you can improve how you love and communicate with family, friends, coworkers, and church members. Use your current stage as an opportunity to grow more like Christ.

Counseling is Good

Our current cohort's professional counselor often sees overfunctioning wives/mothers and underfunctioning husbands/fathers. Women do "everything" at home while men are emotionally disengaged and passive. Some wives divorce because they feel like they're raising another child. He notes that four out of five couples wait too long for help, often reaching a "last resort" point.

Conversely, many men in our cohort regularly go to counseling, which has greatly helped them grow as men and followers of Christ in their families.

My Challenge

We all have room to grow!

• Where do you need to grow regarding your family?

• What intentional steps will you take to bridge the gap between who you are and who God calls you to be?

• Are you willing to ask your wife, a friend, a pastor, or a counselor for feedback?

View it as an opportunity to learn new skills and better serve the Kingdom.

John Gore

MD5 Facilitator