Recently I attended the Story Conference in Chicago. It was a two day conference for the creative-minded packed full of the best ideas available to communicate our story to the world. It was a well-planned and scripted time and Ben Arment, the conference founder, is to be commended for the event.
The greatest moment for me, however, happened in a split moment. To understand the moment you need to know that the conference venue, Park Church is strategically located in the heart of Chicago. They have a beautiful renovated building. The worship center can be made extremely dark, but there are windows in the room that face the city. At one point, we were singing a worship song about spreading the news of Jesus to the world and suddenly the curtains opened to the city of Chicago. In a split second, we had the vision that our mission was clear. We were to take the love we have for Christ to the people outside the walls of the auditorium.
I was talking with one of the leader’s of the conference after this experience and he told me that it was a split second decision to open the curtains. It wasn’t planned. The greatest moment, for me at least, wasn’t scripted ahead of time. It reminded of an important life and leadership principle.
We must always allow time and grant permission for the spontaneous moments to occur…the interruption…the unplanned bursts of genius. I’m a planner, but spontaneity can often be the spice of life. All of us need to leave margin enough in our calendars for God-moments and times of spontaneity.
Here’s my question: Is that easy or difficult for you to allow margin for the unexpected to occur?
Giving room for the spontaneous seems to come easy for me. I am grateful that it does. i find those moments are usually filled with either unexpected breakthrough or uncontrollable laughter. Both are among my favorite things.
Sounds like a great conference. Thanks for using your blog to share it with us!
Thanks Tami. It was a great conference, and I was challenged to think more creatively in telling God's story. Bonus it's in Chicago…one of my favorite cities, but especially these days. It houses one of my favorite people. (My son Nate) Any conference in Chicago sounds like a good conference to me.