Row the Boat
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3 Types of People
- “Rock the Boat” people – Critical complainers, naysayers and general cantankerous people. They do create movement in an organization but that movement is side to side, up and down – not forward.
- “Ride in the Boat” people. – make up the majority of people in any organization/church/company/country. “Ride in the Boat” people are easily swayed by the first point of view with which they encounter and the loudest point of view.
- “Row the Boat” people are those who aren’t void of an opinion or blind to a critique but this group couples words and gestures with action and see themselves as part of the remedy. “Row the boat” people are leaders like “Rock the Boat” people but in this case they lead forward not side to side.
As a Christian and as a Church our call is to Row More, Rock Less & Ride Peacefully in the middle of societal unrest and political change.
3 Key Components to Moving:
1. Know exactly where you are.
2. Know exactly where you want to go.
3. Choose the best coarse to connect dot #1 and dot #2.
Matthew 5:13-16 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Proverbs 18:17 “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.”
Justice doesn’t come by more people pointing out injustices. Justice comes from more individual people acting and reacting justly.
So what is my role in societal unrest and political change? Row More – Rock Less – Ride Peaceably. Here are 3 ways to do that.
- Measure twice cut once. This will keep the peace.
James 1:19-20 “19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. with them. It’s an art, learn it because you can’t impact people for Christ that aren’t in the boat with you.
- Live in Hope – Offer Hope
We are protected.
John 17:15-18 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
We are equipped.
Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We are positioned.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…
- Worry Less/Pray More = Rowing more
Ephesians 6:11-13 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.