Is There More?
Three short stories.
ONE
We thought we had a full quiver when we had six children. But last year, we were pleasantly surprised when we learned my wife was expecting more…our seventh. Felicity Esperanza joined us just a few days ago - an amazing kick-off to 2025!
TWO
Because of the new addition to our family, we stayed home from church on Sunday and watched the online service from one of our former home churches, Life Center. Their worship has always been a deep river - spontaneous, hungry, prophetic, and musically excellent. Several of our children commented on how they long for more of this kind of worship in the different spiritual communities to which we belong.
THREE
And that brings us to you. In your context, with a new year stretching out in front of you, is there more? Do you crave anything? Are you stretching for something greater, deeper, fuller? Do you want more?
Or are you satisfied? Worn out? Settling?
My friend Joshua and I were talking recently about goals. He said that we only pursue goals that others set for us. For example, what age do you hope to retire?
65? 62? Why? Is there any reason you can articulate other than that’s the age set by the Social Security Act of 1935? Why not 40? Or 80? I mean, really?!
So I’m going to propose some goals for you to consider this year. Pick one or pick them all, then take the steps needed to reach them. Here’s a refresher on the necessary steps to reach any goal:
1. Define your Why
2. Clarify Your Goal (make your goal specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.)
3. Visualize Success
4. Break It Down
5. Set a Timeline
6. Identify Resources
7. Anticipate Obstacles
8. Create a Plan of Action
9. Take Consistent Action
10. Track Your Progress
11. Stay Accountable
12. Celebrate Milestones
13. Learn and Adapt
14. Stay Motivated
15. Finish Strong
Here are your goals for 2025, should you choose to accept them:
I’ll give them to you in the Five Faders grid:
ARTIST
Get significantly better in one skill on your primary instrument. And if you lead without an instrument, learn the guitar or piano. (It’s time)
SHEPHERD
Schedule a worship team retreat every other year.
PRIEST
Schedule a one-hour slot each week to lead in a prayer room, with your family, or on stage with nobody in the room.
EDUCATOR
Provide one training event for your team each year. (Conference, coaching, or online training)
PRODUCER
Plan one week earlier than you are currently planning or scheduling.
I’m often struck by the word fullness. I want each of us to walk in fullness, to reach the potential God has in store for us. I was reading the well-known verse Jeremiah 33:3, which says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” But what struck me was the context. Verse one begins, “While Jeremiah was still confined…” We all have limits, excuses, hurts, boundaries, lies. But I encourage you to listen for the word of the LORD, and as you call to Him, be prepared to receive His marching orders, specific for 2025! There is MORE!
-Dave Helmuth
(purchase my book, "Worship Fertilizer: (the first hundred)" HERE)
Is There More? (Nº 416)
