The Flywheel Concept; Love and Forgiveness Style

For those of you in business, there is a phenomenal book written by Jim Collins entitled Good to Great. In his book, Collins tries to identify the key components that make good companies great.  One of the more poignant topics in the book for me was what he referred to as The Flywheel Concept.  Basically, the premise is that a flywheel eventually turns on its own if it keeps moving in the same direction.  Inch by inch the flywheel turns and at some point there is a “breakthrough moment” whereby the momentum of the Flywheel becomes perpetual and no longer needs a push. 

If we look at our lives, and more specifically our spiritual lives as a Flywheel; there are times where we are stalled and our wheel is just not turning.  Even more drastic is when we have things blocking our momentum and we need to unclutter the debris in our spokes before we can actually get the wheel moving again.  Well, it’s been like that for me lately.  The debris and cluttered items in my wheel consist of unworthiness and deserving forgiveness.  There are times where I get so caught up in the mistakes of my past that my momentum gets stalled because I feel it’s just too much to overcome.  That I am really not worthy and that I do not deserve forgiveness.  That this is just my plight, and I will struggle my entire life.  Ever feel that way?  Ever feel that the pressures of your life combined with past mistakes make it virtually impossible for you to have true peace in your life? I image more people feel this way than less, and that when searching for a “breakthrough moment” we could all use some help.  Well, there is GOOD NEWS (which is actually what the word Gospel means); Jesus offers a never-ending abundance of love and forgiveness.

I had my own “breakthrough moment” last evening about the beautiful love and forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ while watching the new NBC series AD.  So far, the program has been very enjoyable, and last night I felt the presence of The Holy Spirit very strongly during one scene in particular.  The scene was at the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus appeared to the disciples for the second time after his death and resurrection.  He was having a conversation with Peter; here’s how it went:

John 21: 15-19

Jesus Reinstates Peter

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

This Scripture is so amazing in light of the fact that Peter, just a few days earlier, denied that he even knew Jesus three times.  Remembering that Jesus actually told him that he would do this and it came to be gave Peter a feeling of shame and guilt that he could not bear.  Of course Jesus, knowing this would happen, specifically asked Peter if he loved him 3 times.  The number three is a very biblical number and certainly no accident in this scripture.  But there is much more to this scripture, and it’s the sub plot that really has me stirred today.  After all three replies by Peter, Jesus added something very specific.  First he said “feed my lambs”; which to me means to stay in relationship and take care of the Christ followers.  This reminded me today that I need to stay in church, in Bible study, and in constant contact with other believers.  It’s written right here in black and white, in The Bible.  Yes, I am unconditionally loved and forgiven, but I also have to play MY PART in the grand plan.  The plan Jesus laid out for me when He knitted me in my mother’s womb. The second answer for Christ was “take care of my sheep”; which to me means continue to search for lost sheep that need Christ. Again, part of the grand plan; and another reminder of Matthew 28, The Great Commission.  Lastly, Jesus answered “follow me”; which to me means to let the light of Christ shine in me.  This has been most difficult for me lately, because feeling unworthy and that my life will always be riddled with turmoil is actually the opposite of living closer to God. 

That’s OK, because I know I am not perfect, and that’s why I need Christ.  I will fall, I will continue to have these feelings; my part is to continue to pray, to connect, and to look to Christ in an attempt to get my Flywheel turning again.  The key here is that we take both parts of this message, and make it our own. Number one, that we realize Christ loves us and will forgive us no matter what we do.  The second and the one that I hope resonates deeply with everyone today is that we ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY.  God made each and every one of us for a special purpose.  He wants us ALL to love Him and love others first and foremost.  Then he wants us to look after each other and especially look after those that are lost.  We all have individual skills, given to us by God that will help us fulfill this direction for our lives.  Direction, that’s a good word for today; because we all lose direction at times.  I know I do, and most recently I’ve been stalled to a point where the uncomfortable and familiar feelings from my past have reared their ugly heads.  But thank God I have Savior that died for me, rose again, and now lives inside of me.  How cool is that?

Therefore, lets each do our part do go from Good to Great today!!!  Let’s take a step in the right direction. Let’s take some time to lend a helping hand, reach out to someone who needs love and encouragement, and forgive someone who needs to be reminded of how important they are.  Because, to Christ, we are ALL THE SAME.  He loves us equally and offers each and every one of us eternal life. 

I’m fired up this morning, so I will close today with a poem that hopefully ties a nice bow around my message today:

Love, Forgiveness, and Purpose

John 21:15-19 provides an awesome reminder of the love and forgiveness offered by our Savoir

Peter was feeling guilty, doubtful, wallowing in self-pity, certainly not the best behavior;

Especially for someone who was so close to The Lord while He walked on this earth

But Peter, like all of us, is human; and we will certainly falter and at times and question our self-worth;

 
But The Lord will restore us to if we remain faithful, because He knows we have much work to do

To help others on our journey, to make an impact, to utilize our God-given skills, even in lieu;

 

Of our faults, our struggles, and our failures.  He will use these trials and tribulations most of all

He knows everything that will happen, it’s up to us to believe, stay strong, and rise each time we fall;

And if we believe in Him and His perfect design for our lives while we are here

A new and beautiful home will await us on the other side, nothing ever written was more clear;

The only way to Heaven is through Christ, and through Him we can do ALL things for sure

This includes overcoming obstacles, getting our wheels turning again, truth that is pure;

A constant reminder that God has a plan for each and every person that is born

And when He died on the Cross for our sins, once and for all, the veil was torn