When we think of the great leaders of the past, we may remember their accomplishments, but just as likely we remember some great idea–a seminal idea–which dominated their lives and drove them to accomplish the great thing. Seminal, from the Latin word for seed, means something so compelling that it has a profound influence on others. The seminal idea sprouts and grows, and then it bears fruit. It gives life. The seminal idea spreads its own seed in hidden places. It infiltrates. It may subvert. It has the potential to prevail.
Abraham Lincoln was compelled by the seminal idea that the union of the states could not be broken. Winston Churchill championed the seminal idea that tyranny should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Martin Luther King Jr.’s seminal idea was that all people are owed the same respect because they have the same God-given dignity.
The fourth-century bishop and theologian Augustine of Hippo was later called “the doctor of grace” because he stood against the works righteousness that was taking over many churches of his day. Augustine did not see himself as inventing that idea, but as passing along a principle core to the gospel of the New Testament. Eleven centuries after Augustine, Martin Luther gave voice to the same seminal idea, making his emphasis the free gift of a right relationship with God through Christ.
Closer to our own time, Billy Graham preached to millions of people, delivering the same seminal idea: God’s forgiving love in Christ is available to all. John Stott traveled the world planting the seminal idea that faithful biblical teaching is what preserves orthodox Christian faith. Robert Pierce founded the humanitarian organization World Vision on the seminal idea that Christian faith requires a practical response to the physical sufferings of people in the world.
Has God placed a central conviction, a seminal idea in you that ought to be the substance and force of your influence in the lives of others? Some people know what their seminal idea is. Others are looking for it. Of course, God may give any one person more than one big idea or ideal. But as a practical matter people in positions of influence do need to figure out how to have focus in what they do. And if there is one compelling idea–a burning passion, an ache, a driving conviction, a picture of a better world you cannot get out of your mind–then perhaps that is a seminal idea God has called you to.
During the reading of this text, I was trying to figure out what would be my Seminal idea. Once finished reading, there were some flying ideas on my heart: “Life´s about relationships”, “Grace is for free!”… and then suddenly the core of them just glared in the backend of my thoughts “Life is not about me, is all about God and the others!, is all about love!”
Thanks for thinking this through, Luis. Your seminal idea is powerful! (And it lines up, of course, with Jesus’ statement about the greatest commandment: “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31).
The Father will give anyone a seminal idea if willing to let him recieve the glory. He does the work thur your hands, he has already planned it and he will see it thur to victory. Be obedient and willing then be patient he will do it in his perfect timing. This will please him to have you follow thur on his plan.
I took note that Jesus said that he didn’t come to change the world (I can appreciate that because from what I can tell it’s a daunting task…plenty of fools (tyrants) before Him and after Him have tried it and all have failed to make it the way they wanted it to be according to their flawed theories).
Not until about 2 months ago did I realize that “The knowledge of good and evil” that God mentioned in Genesis was a blessing in disguise (a facet of active Salvation for while living in the now) for the generations of believers to come because if we had to go thru life after the fall without being in the know we’d be as dumb as posts to evil which is exactly how the unsaved non believers go thru life. We believers have the advantage of learning and knowing what evil is and hopefully learn how to avoid it and prevent it. The downside to such knowledge however is depressing seeing the magnitude of just how much evil actually exists and how well man can disguise it…which also gets just as overwhelming when dealing with it too and it’s affects day in and day out.
Unfortunately I’m not notable historical or current figure head, nor a rock star nor an actor. Unfortunately I do not have an entourage of media types garnering support for my thought’s and Gods wisdom. I do though have the conviction that I don’t need to win argument’s or debate’s for no other reason then to preserve my own sanity. God is in charge! I speak my thought(s) and maybe like seeds they will take root or maybe they won’t.
If Jesus returned tomorrow that’s still not soon enough for me.
My seminal idea must be that we, the church, must look and act differently from the world. In particular, I know that women in the church must dress more modestly. Unbelieving men get the wrong message when they walk into a church and can see the thighs and cleavage of ‘Christian’ women (Christian women do dress this way, not just visiting unbelievers). Believing men are distracted and tempted. Unbelieving women feel as though the only difference between them and Christian women must be that Christian women have a ticket to heaven. We must wake up. I know of a friend who invited a Muslim man to a concert at Elmbrook, and the Muslim man walked out of the concert in shame and embarrassment because the Christian women on stage had pants on that were skin tight. Why do many of us dress like the world? Modesty can not save anyone; only the blood of Christ can. But we are saved! And we have an obligation to live according to the Spirit…