Are You Being or Doing? By Dr. Thomas Yeakley

Keep Being and Doing in the Right Order and Balance!

As followers of Christ, we are called both to ‘be’ and to ‘do.’  But note the order!

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”   ~ 1 Peter 1:14-16  NIV 1984

BEING

We are first to be holy for the One who calls us and whom we confess as Lord and Savior is holy.  Doing flows out of being.  If we are not holy on the ‘inside,’ in our hearts and minds, then our actions, our ‘doing’ is at best hypocritical, at worst, deceitful.

Kingdom leaders focus on being with Jesus before they seek to serve others for Jesus!  It is this abiding with Him that He reminds us,

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  ~ John 15:5  ESV 

Notice the order – abide in Him….bears much fruit…. otherwise, apart from Him we can do nothing.

DOING

Leaders are doers.

We are never satisfied with the status quo, always seeking to change, improve, advance, accomplish, and further the mission we have been entrusted to steward.  It is this default to ‘doing’ that at times overrides the ‘being’ aspect of our lives.  The branch separates from the vine and assumes it will continue to bear fruit.  How foolish!

FOCUSED

The demands upon us are straining our remaining closely attached to the Vine of Life.  Don’t let the chaos of the day consume your soul.  Remember the exhortation of Joshua to the leaders he was about to leave,

“Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.”   ~ Joshua 23:11  ESV

Today I urge you,

“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”   ~ Hebrews 3:1  NIV 1984

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… ”  ~ Hebrews 12:2  NIV 1984

How’s your soul?

Are you fixed and focused on being with Him and knowing Him more deeply?

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Dr. Thomas Yeakley is currently serving as a Staff Equipper for The Navigators. He seeks to build emerging leaders by helping them thrive in life and leadership. He is a speaker and the author of many books, including,  Growing Kingdom Wisdom: The Essential Qualities of a Christian Leader (NavPress May 2019.)

 JOIN US FOR THE OUTCOMES CONFERENCE 2021

Dr. Thomas Yeakley will be faculty for the Outcomes Conference this year. Use this opportunity to meet and learn from him.. Here is more about the t breakthrough workshop Dr. Yeakley will be teaching this year!

Intentional Christlike Character Development

Description: Character flaws are the cause of most leadership failures. Experience and time do not necessarily produce God-honoring character qualities. We must intentionally pursue Christlike character development that will sustain us over a lifetime of service.

Outcomes:

• Inspire and motivate towards the intentional pursuit of Christlike character development
• Apply practical steps on the development of various Christlike character qualities
• Recognize and compare the need for both leadership skill and character development for kingdom leaders