May 27. The Lesson Of Five Sevens.

Which time frame will we choose to be intentional about? Will it be seven minutes, seven days, seven weeks, seven months, or seven years? Sometimes when we get into an area where we need advice, it comes later rather than when we could have maximized it.

Better late than never is a phrase you have probably heard. As leaders though, we can challenge ourselves to think about the five sevens. Our decisions made in the next seven minutes can have a large impact on the other seven based time frames.

If late is better than never, then leaders can be challenged to use faster alternatives and questioning. Knowing which one to use is an important tool. Seven months may be better than seven years and seven days may be better than seven weeks and so on.

But we might see that some decisions will have a positive impact over the entire spectrum. Those are decisions to be made in the quickest fashion. What decision can you make that will lead you to act in the next seven minutes which in turn will have a strong impact in seven years? What can you do about it in the next seven days?

In the book of 2 Samuel, Absalom’s sister is sexually assaulted by his brother Amnon. Absalom kills Amnon out of revenge over two years later in a detailed plan laid out for us as readers. It is after the fact though when King David is faced with hearing the news. He is misinformed.

Instead of hearing that Amnon is dead, he hears that all his sons are killed by Absalom. But Shimea advises the King to ignore the news because it seems he knew of Absalom’s' anger and desire for revenge. Shimea did not interject himself into the situation prior to the act of violence.

Maybe he could have and maybe he should have but the debate of today's devotion is not about should. Today's point is, we have the ability now, in the next seven minutes or seven days, to take action that will have an impact for Christ for seven years and even eternity.

Will we show up with a decision or advice significantly after the fact or can we shape something now? If we are struggling anywhere in our faith right now, it is now that we can decide to have an immediate impact. What keeps us from that decision though. Oftentimes it is the lack of an accountability partner.

Who can you collaborate with to be accountable in deepening your walk of faith? Regardless of where you are on a faith path, an accountability partner can help. What is the one thing you can do in the next seven days to help be a partner or find one?

Let us pray, Father God, time is not relevant to you. A day to you is but a blink of an eye to us. We ask that as we blink, that we might see those actions and decisions that will affect our relationships with Christ for the long haul.

Let us not put off eternity for seven years, seven months or even seven weeks. Comfort us as we make those decisions which will bring you honor and glory. Let us decide how to share our story and collaborate to do so. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,