The Hope QuotientSample

Every one of us needs five types of key relationships. Different kinds of relationships help us in various ways.

Vision Casters stretch our vision and help us dream bigger dreams. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”

We need people around us who have a way of sparking huge new vision. Surprisingly, not all of these relationships need to be in person. Sometimes, these relationships can come through writing. Just this morning, I read a sermon transcript of a pastor friend. He is now a new Vision Caster to me. 

What we all need is someone who will give us a vision for who we can be, far beyond anything that we ever imagined.

Soul Sharpeners help you develop spiritually, daring you to be all you can be in the spiritual arena. Soul sharpeners will not let you settle for second best.

A long time ago, a wise man told me, “The best way to grow is to be the smallest person in the room.” During my youth pastor days, I had that opportunity. I was invited by a large Christian youth organization to speak at a massive conference. 

I walked into a room with all these speakers, all big shots in that arena, and thought, This room is filled with famous speakers. I don’t belong here. These guys are all better than me. 

I called a friend and confided how intimidated, insignificant, and out of place, I felt there. “That’s perfect!” he said. “The best way to grow as a communicator is to be the worst communicator in the room. “That’s you!”

His words reframed the way I saw my place. Those leaders all became Soul Sharpeners for me. Just being on the team stepped up my game.

Think Up:

If we let insecurities drive us away from tough circumstances, we will never grow. 

Do you have vision casters and soul sharpeners in your life? (Read on).