“He’s a favor magnet.” That’s what my new friend Kelvin said about our mutual friend, Ryan. It’s true. The guy somehow goes to huge playoff games almost nightly and gets invited to almost every conference…for free. Ryan’s truly a favor magnet.
But I don’t think his favorish magnetism is undeserved. He’s earned it. By giving favor.
I met the guy once for coffee. Then he invited me to stay at his house when I was in town for a conference. (I took him up on that!) He genuinely has a desire to see the Church succeed and flourish. He’s a giving guy. No wonder he gets the hook up!
It’s a Biblical principle we too often associate with money. But the give/receive idea works with everything in life. If you’re hoping to get respect, you have to give it. If you want to feel love, you have to love. The greater magnitude with which you give these things, the larger they come back to you.
What do you need for your ministry to thrive? What do you need to make your art successful?
- The right connections? Start connecting people around you.
- Positive feedback? Give struggling artists and ministries your positive feedback.
- A bit of funding? Yep…start funding other people’s endeavors.
One last Ryan story. One more than one occasion he’s gone into Starbucks and drastically overpaid for his beverage. Rather than request his change, he asks that the leftover be used to buy the next few orders – however far it goes. If people ask who bought their drink, he uses it as a chance to witness. If not, he enjoys the chance to give. A favor magnet is being electro-charged.
What do you want to get out of life? What do you want to get out of your art? What are you giving?
Jonathan:
…..one word….WOW!!!
I got work to do….big time work to do!!!!
Jonathan:
…..one word….WOW!!!
I got work to do….big time work to do!!!!
Proud that Ryan and Jonathan are my friends!
Proud that Ryan and Jonathan are my friends!