As anyone who knows me will tell you, I am a bit of a fan of a certain Mr Walter Elias Disney, his life, films and most of all theme parks. Amongst other things he was a visionary and a creative genius but what made his attractions and cartoons stand out was his commitment to challenging his team to "plus it".
What this meant put simply was that in every project and on every job he challenged people to ask themselves if they were putting in every possible effort or could anything be done better. Was it being "plussed"?
The Disney team, known as imagineers, would not rest until they had examined every aspect of their project and attempted to stretch every detail to the very highest level. Because of this approach they pushed boundaries, invented new methods and technologies and created things thought impossible beforehand. Much of this approach to "plussing" probably explains why so much of their work is still so popular today.
At church we are beginning a time of studying the Sermon on the Mount, which is a series of short lessons that Jesus taught. The majority of these messages seek to "plus" teachings that people had already received and understood. For example several messages within this series take one of the Ten Commandments and then raise it to a new level. The first of which takes the law "do not murder" and goes onto explain that killing a friendship is, in Jesus view, just as serious.
This all got me to thinking how I approach life and if I seek to raise levels and "plus" situations throughout my world and contact groups. Do the people I come into contact with feel "plussed" when I walk away from a conversation with them? Does my life have a positive affect on the people I love, bring them joy and ultimately show them Jesus' love?
When I go to work am I giving my all to "plus" my job? When a friend calls for a favour or a shoulder to cry on, do I give them all of my attention and "plus" that friendship? Does my wife and family and church get "plussed" by my energy, attention and attitude?
Most of all does my life "plus" my relationship with God?
None of us are perfect and none of us will ever get all of this right every day - far from it! God knows and understands this and still loves us all just the same, thankfully. But when we choose to have the attitude of "plussing" our lives and give Him the very best we can surely He will help us every step of the way.
Have a great day.
God bless
Chris
