1-3 “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. After His suffering, He presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:1-3 (NIV)
Athletes in Action is bullish on Position Focus Sheets (PFS). They are action plans full of measurable objectives and personal development targets too. We march to their beat. I value, enjoy and need this quiet cadence.
Each staff member crafts their own PFS annually, adjusts it monthly, and monitors and executes it daily. It’s smart living. Ask for more details.
Acts 1:2 and 3 illustrates a bit of Jesus’ last PFS on earth. Here’s how He organized those days in strategic living:
GIVE INSTRUCTIONS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. Jesus didn’t keep life’s secrets to Himself. He committed to guide others too.
He guided as He was guided. He gave as He was given. The Holy Spirit coached Him. And He constantly gave away what He was given.
Being a lifegiving conduit was His aim.
SHOW MYSELF. Jesus wasn’t afraid to be known. The wonderful mystery became this: that God is known, not unknown or unknowable.
CONTINUALLY SHOW UP. Jesus showed up after it got tough, not just before. He showed up faithfully, no matter what.
He wasn’t afraid to be seen, felt, touched, heard. He made it a point to be present. God came near. God comes near.
GIVE MANY PROOFS. Jesus was committed to helping us see our faith in Him as rational, reasonable - way beyond any other faith, far more grounded than just having faith in ourselves.
SPEAK ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Jesus didn’t avoid addressing ultimate realities. The end game is crucial, so He constantly talked about it.
The kingdom of God is about the fundamentals, the fourth quarter, and all what prepping for a championship means. It’s about winning each day and winning for eternity. This always needs attention.
Reflect: Do you have a PFS yourself? Are you giving your life away or keeping secrets?
Is the Holy Spirit really coaching and instructing you, or are you playing coachless too much of the time? Are you showing up, and is the kingdom of God on your mind?
A prayer to consider: O, LORD Jesus, help my PFS to reflect Yours. Keep me in giving-more-than-receiving mode. Don’t let me hide or shrink back, no matter what.
Build my confidence in following You as the most rational, reasonable thing I could ever do. And let the kingdom of God dominate my thoughts and words. This is my true heart. Amen.
