You’re Not Behind — You’re Being Built

Hello Bristan,

You may be measuring the wrong kind of progress.

What if the most important thing God is doing in your leadership right now has nothing to do with your results?

God is often more concerned with developing the leader than accelerating the outcome.

Recently, I was in a meeting when I heard Jordan Martino share four words that deeply impacted me:

Belong. Become. Contribute. Endure.

The following day, I was reminded of a question from Latondra in the REACH By Design E-Course:

"What are you doing daily to move closer to your vision?"

Those two moments came together during a conversation with one of my clients.

He is in the discovery stage of his business and making significant sacrifices to improve his service, strengthen his systems, and create greater value for his clients.

The challenge?

The return on his investment has been slower than he expected.

Like many leaders, he was focused on the outcome.

So I reminded him:

God is often accomplishing more than we can see.

His sacrifice was not only improving his service.

It was also shaping his character.

It was strengthening his sanctification.

It was deepening his sonship.

While he was focused on building the business, God was focused on building the leader.

That brought me back to Jordan's framework:

Belong — Whose am I?

Before God gives us an assignment, He establishes our identity as His beloved child.

Become — Who am I becoming?

God's goal is not merely our success. His goal is our transformation into the image of Christ.

Contribute — Why am I here?

Service is the overflow of a life aligned with God's purpose.

Endure — What am I willing to suffer for?

Faithfulness is often revealed when the results take longer than expected.

Many of us measure progress by what is happening around us:

• Revenue• Opportunities• Clients• Influence• Growth

God often measures progress by what is happening within us:

• Character• Holiness• Obedience• Faithfulness• Sonship

If the results seem slower than expected, consider this:

Perhaps God is producing something more valuable than immediate returns.

Perhaps He is strengthening your sonship while deepening your sanctification.

Perhaps He is developing the leader before expanding the influence.

Belong → Become → Contribute → Endure

Know whose you are.

Become who God created you to be.

Contribute what He has entrusted to you.

Endure whatever it costs to remain faithful.

Which of these four stages best describes your current season: Belong, Become, Contribute, or Endure?an