Morning Watch Monday: Strategy

This past Thanksgiving at our house, the counter was full of all the classics: turkey, sweet potato & green bean casseroles, dressing, cranberry sauce, buttered breads, and homemade pimento mac and cheese. Not to mention all of the desserts! It was glorious, and just thinking about it right now makes me want to sneak in a nap! It was a time worthy of the title of “Thanksgiving,” as both heart and belly were full.

When it comes time to eat this meal, I like to let others go through the line first. Not out of any sort of humility, though I’m happy to let people think I’m exercising a Servant’s Heart. I’m merely strategizing.

Every person must stack their own plate, and it shows a lot about you when you do. Some people are heavier on the salty foods and casseroles. Some go straight for the turkey leg like they are at the fair, lay it right down in the middle of the plate, and simply protect it on all sides with rolls and dessert (ahem, my son). Some, those who I don’t understand, simply pile it all high on top of each other, and mix it together when they sit at the table. Meanwhile I watch and plan my attack as others make their way through the line and slowly clear out of the kitchen to their seats.

Then it is my turn, and here is the method. Feel free to borrow:

• 1: Laying the Foundation: If using paper plates, always double up for security. Don’t talk about that decision to others, just go for it. Go back for utensils and napkins, your dexterity is essential to protecting the goods.
• 2: Watch for Intruders: If there is anything runny that could force its way onto other foods and taint their taste, you need to question whether or not that item is necessary. If so, put it on the plate last but eat it first. Don’t let it touch any bread.
• 3: Primary Targets: Turkey and Sweet Potato Casserole (of course with marshmallows on it!) are the first to make it onto the plate. They can nestle right up next to each other, what a combo! I’d bathe in that casserole if I could.
• 4: Other Stuff Time: Just put equal portions of the other things on your plate. They are probably delicious, but it’s just other stuff compared to the turkey and sweet potato casserole. Leave no sign of a plate underneath the food. Go for full coverage. Don’t be afraid to overlap, but don’t get carried away.
• 5: Dessert Gets Its Own Plate: No explanation necessary. It’s delicious. Yes, use two plates if necessary. BONUS: You have to get up and go into another room where the desserts are, and no one will see you eat a dessert while choosing other desserts to put on your plate. It’s a judgment free zone!

This may seem quite ridiculous, and you’re not wrong. However, strategizing about how to approach a target you are interested in can be so fun and adventurous! There is freedom in being empowered to develop a plan for something that you like.

A strategy makes us feel safe, cared for and thought about. The key to a good strategy begins with identifying your target, or what it is that you really care about accomplishing.

Thanksgiving plate silliness aside, strategizing is a huge part of what boys develop while here at Falling Creek in the summer. At the end of each day, campers have an opportunity to decide what activities they want to engage in the next day, and they learn to step forward and make that decision all on their own.

Boys love strategy. In the afternoons this summer you could walk past the Chess activity and see boys literally leaning over the top of each other trying to learn the different methods from Rex and Charlie that they could use to win the game. If you positioned yourself in the woods during Evening Program this past summer, you could also hear boys coming up with hundreds of different strategies on how to approach Capture the Flag and retrieving their team’s flags from enemy territory.

Have you ever wondered what God’s strategy is for you, or if He even has one? If so, you are not alone in wondering! Here is some good news: God LOVES a good strategy.

So what is His strategy with us? God’s strategy is Mercy.

He relentlessly comes after us and our hearts because He knows we are made to only work when we are in relationship with Him. If we try to strategize our way into feeling whole, having peace, or solving our own hearts, we are in trouble! God invites us to engage Him. He is relentlessly merciful, gentle, patient, kind, joyful, and faithful. His strategy is to cry out for our attention every day through creation and through those around us. As Jesus, He was born into our world as one of us to let us know who He really is, and suffered a death on our behalf that is the only thing that could heal our broken hearts.

Jesus said in the book of John, “There is a thief that strategizes ways only to steal and kill and destroy. But I have come that you might have life, and life to the full.”

Get this, God also gives us some strategy to live by:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength”, and, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Deuteronomy 6: 4,5; Leviticus 19:18 (Also in Luke 10).

There is MUCH more to God’s heart and strategy toward us. It sure can be confusing though, especially when there is deep loss and pain in your life. Where is God in those moments? I would LOVE for you to for more conversation if you would like!

Remember, God’s strategy is relentless Mercy! It’s the first thing on his plate!