Breaking glass? That’s what the industrial psychologist said. It’s amazing that even now as I write, I can still feel the tension of that moment. Why take time to explore what isn’t reality? I questioned. This new territory is out of bounds for me. My host didn’t give up. He reasoned, “Maybe the overseas market is the key to future growth for you.” I didn’t want to hear that.
“Maybe overseas expansion could resolve your money problems,” he continued.
I knew it wouldn’t. Missions projects only added to the expense column.
“Can we at least talk about it?” he wondered.
Silence.
“Well, now, are we going to break glass or aren’t we?”
“OK,” I finally acquiesced. “Let’s go for it.”
An hour and a half later we were at another “glass-breaking” juncture, another ceiling to be shattered, and another jumbling up of all my familiar thought patterns.
Finally it was lunchtime. Thank the Lord! I’d try to get my head reoriented and think through the ramifications of what was being discussed.
Half an hour after lunch we came to another glass ceiling that needed to be shattered. So why not, I thought—let’s bust it out! But, fifteen minutes later I had a headache built for a rhinoceros!
“I need to stop,” I confessed. “My normal thinking circuits are so hopelessly rewired I can’t function without great strain.”
“Then I suggest we quit,” the psychologist said. “This has been a good day. I believe I’ve given you a great gift. It happened faster than I thought it would. So I’m pleased. Again, thank you for letting me exercise my gift.” I’m glad I’ve made him so happy, I thought, recognizing the irony in the situation.
But, looking back on that meeting, I realize it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I’ve been involved in a lot of brainstorming sessions, but this one literally changed my life.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
