Agenda. or agendum if singular, means “what must get done” by whomever owns it. We could also call the list of things to talk about or list of chores, etc., by that same word. The reason to bring it up is this: everyone has one. Single-minded folk set out to do or say one thing, or go to one place. That’s not true of most of us. Most of us want several things to happen.
If we hold a board meeting (or “bored?” meeting) the organization or company for which we’re there has a set of items to be brought up for resolution, or at least to advance consideration. That’s a business agenda. (It has often been my experience that business meetings are easily diminished to the boring.) But there are agendas (modern plural) with which to be dealt. Hardly an organization or corporation anywhere who doesn’t build its agenda, and build upon it.
In recent years I have sat in on several meetings about how to improve or bolster the business atmosphere in our town. The meetings which seem profitable are meetings which follow closely to an agenda. Also noticeable in those meetings is the strength of the leader, the forthrightness yet discretion used continually to move from one item to another. These are positive traits no matter what the agenda.
Political agendas are irksome, even to those who are on the same side: for the agenda. I think that’s because of selfishness. If I get my item on the agenda, I have no patience with the other items. If my item doesn’t make the agenda, I don’t even want to be there. And, if an item opposing mine is on the agenda, I will probably leave (or go to sleep.)
Misplaced agenda: take supposed entertainment venues, add a “we must save the earth” agenda. Or a philosophy being woven into the dialogue of a stage play, movie or concert. These are misplaced agendas if the attraction that draws people has the agenda hidden. Totally unfair advantage is being taken by those putting forth the “agenda.” Disingenuous, at least.
So, what’s your agenda today? Or tomorrow. Or for the next 6 months. Or year. How far ahead do you like to plan?
I talked with a young man who is trying to extricate himself from the hold alcohol has on him. He can only think about one day at a time. Most all “programs” about addiction use that as a mantra. I’m pretty sure I’m not an expert in these sorts of things, but I don’t think that fits everyone.
Perhaps at the start one day at a time is good. But, I believe it should be changed in order to build a future. Let’s talk about it like diet, for instance. What will life be like for me if I’m still sober 2 weeks from now? What will life be like for me 10 pounds lighter? Then think life in 3 months. life 25 pounds lighter. Then, a year clean from my addiction, will I be growing in my worth to my loved ones? A year into my diet, will I be 50 pounds lighter and able to be more physically active and mentally more alert? Hmm. Maybe this thought ought to be put on someone’s agenda…
If we’re talking about the Lord in our lives, usually several people come to mind whom we would desire to have come to the knowledge of Him, His grace and His all sufficient work at Calvary, His suffering for our sins, and His simple gospel of salvation. In some cases this means making a second agenda, a priority list of who and when we are going to bring to them the hope of eternal life in Christ.
But wait, in this case, we could just teach ourselves to walk through the doors which the Lord will open before us, and our only agenda is to say what the Lord said in His word. With these thought in mind, perhaps we should prepare ourselves with His word, put on the whole armor of God as we can see each piece’s worth in Ephesians 6. As the Spirit leads, amen?
Is it an accident that before I rolled over and got out of bed about 5 this morning, that the SIMH was “Every Step You Take” —Sting & Police? Yes, it probably was.
Thanks for reading, the Elder
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