I was having my first coffee for the day at the desk in my study on Saturday morning. As I was going over my idea of what the day would be like, my cricket-fanatic-of-a-son came towards me with a tone in his voice that, I knew, is going to alter the course of the day: Dad…Shane Warne has died…! My son turned from Sanguine to Melancholic in one news report. My heart sank…not just for my son…but a bit for myself, the Warne offspring and everybody that had the benefit of balancing their behinds on the edge of a seat as Shane Warne dismantled the greatest defences in cricket.

I started following Shane Warne’s anticks in the early ‘90’s. At first, I held a deep-seated disdain towards him as I saw him make a mockery of my beloved cricket team – The Proteas from South Africa. I saw him gain weight…and loose it again. I saw him get dropped and be selected again. I saw him – through the eyes of the press – go through several transformations throughout the years.

If you track his transformations, you will see a very interesting phenomenon: As his values changed, his behaviour subsequently followed. What are values?

Value: The worth of something in the light of the number of other things for which it can be exchanged.

When we are young our values are fluid and its fluency is reflected in our words and deeds. As we grow older we gain perspective on life. As we gain perspective we start to analyse things in terms of their importance for us. Later on we tend to crystalize values into a handful of non-negotiable principles or habits that drive our behaviour. One of the definitions for maturity is the ability to make decisions based on your values and not on your immediate desires.

‘When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 NIV

That’s Warney’s story…that’s yours and my story. A journey of discovering values. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians distils his values down to three concepts: Faith, Hope and Love. I can name a celebrity, and you would probably be able to identify their values fairly quickly – should they be portrayed accurately in the media.

That is the same with our movement… As we approach the naming of the movement and it’s different entities, we want it to be representative of the very same values that made us who we are. We love who we have been and been growing to be. It is therefore important to identify, celebrate and protect our core values:

BEING WELCOMING

Our people are friendly, inclusive and make you feel like you belong.

WE ARE LOVING

We value individuals based on their worth, being created in the image of God.

BEING HOPEFUL

We are filled with positive expectations for the future, and we are a demonstration of Christ’s light in the world.

WE ENJOY SERVING

We are caring and kind and understand that our purpose is to serve. Serving people validates them and grows us to maturity.

BEING HUMBLE

We are humble and understand that God is in control of everything. Therefor we can create room for all to enjoy life without feeling threatened or insecure.

Values are not just a good set of principles or habits, but they go far in helping you assess the value you add to society. Be bold…ask the value question: If I do this (fill in the blank) …. what value would I represent? Let’s bring our values to the front as we pursue to be who He has called us to be! If the challenge of choosing values seems daunting, here’s a good place to start:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt. 6:33 NIV