Crack the glass... don't measure!

Caution:

Treat the following paragraph as potential police tape at a crime scene. Try not to cross this line: Do not immediately allow your thoughts to move toward organization, measurement, and metrics. These are not bad.  They're not a crime. But we often start with numerically measuring, programs, and metrics for our lives and for our churches. We have unfortunately been measuring some of the wrong things first, while not really being concerned about the most important things. 

I want you to avoid the tendency to immediately start to organize and begin thoughts on metrics or how to numerically measure. Allow yourself to relax. Be one who is related to the God of this universe. Break out of the fish prison. Develop an ever-deepening relationship with God and others. Create habits which enable these relationships to flourish. 

Yes, it is a bit of a relational how-to. But not necessarily a how to numerically measure success.

I had someone ask me once about measuring. They wanted to know some metrics about a particular ministry. In a bit of frustration, I thought, “I’ll bet if you had me growing carrots, you would ask me each week to dig them up and measure them. You have to let the carrots grow.” I never said it out loud, but it definitely crossed my mind.

Just crack the glass!!! Go the three questions, and six habits. How you are doing at those three questions and the six habits? They are not as linear and measurable as you might think, or want. They are not measurable in traditional ways of time and sequence. They are about relationships. So when we get to them in a few chapters, try to enjoy hearing the glass break in your fish prison, as you become a non-captive, and are set free by Jesus Himself. I have had to do this myself. At times it was painful. Other times it was amazingly joyful. I know that drawing nearer to my God as Father Son and Holy Spirit… is what He wants. P. 18 Fish Prison