The Non-profit Life

One of my co-laborers was visiting the US from Kenya for the first time recently. We had a blast seeing all of our friends who have traveled with me to Kenya in the past and visiting the beautiful North Carolina mountains. We toured schools, thanked donors, and shared so many belly laughs.

When our time in NC was through, we all went out to Silicon Valley for our annual board meeting. I work with a US-based staff of seven folks who are scattered throughout the country. Each year we gather face-to-face while we're in the same place for our board meeting and hold a staff retreat. Through the years we've done everything from zip-lining through the Redwoods to visiting a vineyard and winery. Every year there seems to be some serendipitous message that comes out of our activity. This year was no different.

FIeld Notes

Less than a week ago, we spent the day in San Francisco where we were guided on a tour of the financial district by an architectural historian. This may or may not sound interesting to you. I'm telling you, though-- as soon as the guide started speaking, I was enthralled. You probably know that San Francisco has a rich history. The great earthquake of 1906 resulted in fires that burned down 4 square miles of the city.

Thanks to the creative genius of architect Willis Polk, some 200 buildings were designed and rebuilt in the years following the catastrophe. His firm was essentially given unlimited artistic freedom, funds, and time to rebuild as much of the city as they could. They did so with both whimsy and great forethought.

When the guide told us about one particular building that was built to be the tallest building in the city, he delivered my Dig-for-Divine moment of this year's retreat. He said that Polk was a master of details and a great visionary. What's more, he knew the limits of his own imagination and the age in which he lived. When he designed the top of the building, he created something that would be beautiful to look down on from above. Even though he had stretched the limits of architectural engineering in his day, creating the tallest building ever built in San Francisco, he knew that one day in the future, architects would engineer even higher skyscrapers and from those towers, they would look down upon his masterpiece. He created a sculpture of a steam pipe, beautiful slanted roof lines covered in ornate tiles, and stunning gardens atop the building. 

In all humility, Polk knew that more was possible than he could even imagine in his lifetime. This is life with God. We think we dream big. We think we cast grand visions. But are we even attempting to think beyond the limits of what we know to be possible on a human level? 

The challenge I sensed in my heart as I looked up to the rooftop was this: let your vision surpass your imagination. 

I know, I know. That's some deep stuff. So etherial and abstract. But we are limiting our capacity to see God move if we don't seek GREATER VISION for our lives and our life in Him. We have to acknowledge that what God will do with a vision that is submitted to His sovereignty will amount to something we can't even think of.

To be honest... That's the sort of vision God's given me for this here blog! He has promised that if I will continue to walk in obedience He will do more with this platform that I can ask or imagine! WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?! I don't know!!! But I can't wait to find out!

Your turn

• What are you dreaming these days?

• How can you begin to evoke and employ truly God-sized passion for what He can accomplish in your lives? 

• How can you think outside the limits of your own imagination and express your understanding of God's ability to completely surpass anything you could ever dream of?

I've found inspiration for finding greater vision for what God has for us in this life in 2 Corinthians, Luke, and Ephesians. Go digging and see if you can't find some fuel for a fire that will burn brighter than you can imagine. Ask God to give you a vision that speaks to His immeasurable ability to accomplish His will in our lives.

Activate an expectant heart as you choose GREATER VISION for your life by the Power of Jesus at work in your heart!

Be sure to comment with what you find! We all need each other to expand our understanding.

ICYMI: I had the honor of being interviewed as a Champion for one of the foundations I work with. They do incredible work and I was so grateful for this opportunity. Check out the interview here!

Also, be sure to follow along on facebook and Instagram and email "SUBSCRIBE" to hello@tiamcnelly.com that way you won't miss a thing!

Keep digging!