What’s really most important? What are my top five priorities? In answering these questions you may be tempted to say things you know will sound good to someone else… your friend, your spouse, your parent, your pastor, your small group leader… Avoid the temptation. Be honest with yourself and with God.
We basically have two sets of values: 1. Espoused Values; 2. Enacted Values. Espoused Values are values I believe in. If asked to explain my values, I would list my espoused values. Enacted Values are values I have actually put into action in my life. There is overlap between my espoused and enacted values, but there are also areas of discontinuity. These areas of discontinuity are the areas that my actual, real, lived values do not match up with what I believe to be true and what I believe to be important.
Example. I value health. I believe it is a good thing to be healthy, to exercise regularly, to eat highly nutritious and low calorie food. I believe my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and that I am called to honor the body God gave me. Health is an espoused value. Unfortunately, I have struggled since late adolescence for this value to be an enacted value. I am significantly overweight and my lack of bodily health is beginning to interfere with my happiness and fulfillment in life because it is becoming a limiting factor in what I can do safely and injury-free, physically. As I grow older, my lack of enacting my espoused health value is leading to a diminished sense of joy in life.
Another example. I value lifelong learning. God has given us minds that are meant to be used. Learning is an activity we are intended to participate in even after we graduate from school. I believe part of the renewal of the mind God plans for us as a path to wholeness. This is an espoused value and an enacted value. Even before I was accepted into the Beeson Pastor Program, I was a relatively heavy reader. I read in a wide range of topics. I do read fiction from time to time, but most of my reading focuses on leadership, science, philosophy, history, psychology and spirituality. I seek out opportunities for trainings and continuing education events that will enrich me as a person, family member, and pastor.
What are your values? How can you bridge the gap between your espoused and enacted values? Pray for me as I work to more fully live out the value of being a beloved child of God who lives a healthy life, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and physically.
We basically have two sets of values: 1. Espoused Values; 2. Enacted Values. Espoused Values are values I believe in. If asked to explain my values, I would list my espoused values. Enacted Values are values I have actually put into action in my life. There is overlap between my espoused and enacted values, but there are also areas of discontinuity. These areas of discontinuity are the areas that my actual, real, lived values do not match up with what I believe to be true and what I believe to be important.
Example. I value health. I believe it is a good thing to be healthy, to exercise regularly, to eat highly nutritious and low calorie food. I believe my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and that I am called to honor the body God gave me. Health is an espoused value. Unfortunately, I have struggled since late adolescence for this value to be an enacted value. I am significantly overweight and my lack of bodily health is beginning to interfere with my happiness and fulfillment in life because it is becoming a limiting factor in what I can do safely and injury-free, physically. As I grow older, my lack of enacting my espoused health value is leading to a diminished sense of joy in life.
Another example. I value lifelong learning. God has given us minds that are meant to be used. Learning is an activity we are intended to participate in even after we graduate from school. I believe part of the renewal of the mind God plans for us as a path to wholeness. This is an espoused value and an enacted value. Even before I was accepted into the Beeson Pastor Program, I was a relatively heavy reader. I read in a wide range of topics. I do read fiction from time to time, but most of my reading focuses on leadership, science, philosophy, history, psychology and spirituality. I seek out opportunities for trainings and continuing education events that will enrich me as a person, family member, and pastor.
What are your values? How can you bridge the gap between your espoused and enacted values? Pray for me as I work to more fully live out the value of being a beloved child of God who lives a healthy life, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and physically.