TAKE N.O.T.E
Imagine this: you’re called by one of our government leaders to explore uncharted territory in a foreign land - a mission that requires a couple of years of service. Then, once the exploration is complete, you’re expected to report back with all your findings. Now, imagine this quest takes place in the 1800s, which means no GPS, no Jeep, no camera, and—God forbid—no phone! Furthermore, forget fast food, bug spray, and any of the other modern conveniences we take for granted in the twenty-first century. Yikes!
Most of us would never even consider taking such an assignment. Yet that’s exactly what Meriwether Lewis and William Clark did when President Jefferson called upon them to explore an unknown world—unknown, at least, to Americans. Despite the alarming challenges, Lewis and Clark set out in 1804 from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean, roughly 4,000 miles one way.
A lot of people have heard of Lewis and Clark, but few have stopped to think about the daily obstacles and logistical nightmares they endured. I hadn’t either—until I read Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. That book helped me grasp the true magnitude of their mission and it helped me realize something about myself: I’m soft! I don’t know if I could’ve handled what they went through—brutal winters, rough terrain, sickness, tension with the natives, limited food, constant uncertainty, and they definitely had their fair share of injuries. For instance, Lewis was mistaken for an elk and shot in the backside by one of his men.
It makes you wonder—how did they survive such a journey? Additionally, once they got back home, how did they begin to communicate everything they learned for the benefit of those who would follow their lead? I’m sure historians like Ambrose could give us a detailed list of answers. Nevertheless, one thing is clear from my perspective: a major key to their success was their ability to take really good notes (PIC). Lewis, in particular, was meticulous in documenting terrain, wildlife, and different native cultures!
My friends, note taking is a key to our success as well. And here’s why. Whether you realize it or not, all of us are all explorers—for ourselves, our coworkers, our kids, our mentees, and—if you’re a follower of Jesus—for our disciples. We all have a calling, in some form or fashion, to go before others and help prepare the way. Undoubtedly, it’s a massive mission. Yet I believe we will all find success if we take great notes like Lewis and Clark.
Today, I want to share a topic that’s been close to my heart for a long time—a message that’s become, in many ways, my life message. We all have a unique message within the framework of the gospel. Some people have a passion for the end times. My mom, for example, loved to share about Revelation with anyone who would listen. Speaking of mothers, Mother Teresa lived out one of her life messages: “Do small things with great love.” The prophet Jeremiah described his message from God as a fire in his bone. He couldn’t hold it in (Jeremiah 20:9).
As strange as it sounds, I believe this is one of those messages for me—something God has been simmering in my heart for years and this morning I want to share it with you. My goal is to help you “TAKE N.O.T.E.” in life. To do that, we’ll use the word “NOTE” as an acronym to explore four practical ways to be great note-takers. Let’s start with the “N”.
If you want to take note in life, start with this simple, yet powerful practice: NOTE NAMES. This may sound over simplistic, but learning a person’s name is the foundation of relationships. I first realized this at a youth conference years ago. The speaker shared five questions every young person subconsciously asks when deciding how close they’ll get to a leader—or anyone for that matter. They first ask, “Do you know my name?” Then the questions progress from there. “Do you know what matters to me? Do you know where I live? Do you know what I’ve done? Do you know what I can do?” Each question represents a deeper level of intimacy—and it all begins with, “Do you know my name?” This makes sense, right? None of us would feel comfortable sharing our home address or our struggles with someone who doesn’t know our name.
This is one of the reasons Jesus is so incredible. He does know us by name. In the last week of his life, Jesus shared an analogy about the shepherd and his sheep. He said, “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3). Jesus calls people by name – both in and outside his flock. Think about Zacchaeus, a man pegged as a wolf by his peers. When Jesus saw him up in that tree, he didn’t say, “Hey you!” or “What’s up, short stuff?” He said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I’m going to your house today.” Can you imagine how that felt? This respected teacher—the Son of God—knew his name and wanted to spend time with him (Luke 19:1-10)! Knowing a person by name communicates they are seen and valued. It shows you care. And when people feel cared for, they are more prone to embrace your invitation to belong.
There’s a couple who started attending BCC a while back. When Pastor Mike asked them what kept them coming to BCC, one of them said, “The second time we came, you remembered our names.” That simple act made such an impact – so much so they joined the church. That’s the power of learning a name. It may open doors you never thought possible. Note names. As a side note, we have many unique names in this church, to say the least. Don’t stress if you don’t get a name right the first time. I have butchered several Chinese names and thankfully our brothers and sisters are so gracious. A willingness to learn is what speaks volumes.
Next, if you want to Take Note in life, it’s vital that you also NOTE OPPORTUNITIES. Learning someone’s name is one opportunity, but there are countless other opportunities if we’re paying attention. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…” By God’s grace, Christians are historically pretty good about this. At our best, we have properly noted needs and, more importantly, met those needs.
Exposure was common in the ancient Roman world. Unwanted babies were left exposed to the elements until they perished. In the late fourth century, Emperor Valentinian outlawed the despicable practice. In response, people started leaving babies outside of monasteries or churches. This practice sparked the beginning of what we know as orphanages (Ortberg, Who is this Man, 30). Also, in the fourth century, Gregory of Nyssa noted a lack of care for those plagued with leprosy. He noted their value and wrote, “Lepers have been made in the image of God. In the same way you and I have, and perhaps preserve that image better than we, let us take care of Christ while there is still time.” His passionate plea began the establishment of hospitals wherever cathedrals existed. And we are still realizing his influence as we witness Saint Anthony, Saint Francis, Mercy, and countless other hospitals who care for the sick (40).
We can go down the line and find Christians making the most of the opportunities God laid before them – Wilberforce and his crew combating slavery in England, prison reform in the U.S., women’s rights, and even education. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, along with ninety-two percent of the first 138 colleges were rooted in Christ (67). The examples are endless. These people were great note takers of their cultures and through the power of God, they were able to make a difference.
The same is true in the Bible. Our Bible would read very differently if people like Isaiah refused to note injustices. Likewise, imagine how hard it would have been for Paul if Barnabas didn’t take note of his redeeming attributes after Paul’s unlikely conversion. These people took note and acted for God’s glory. You too can make a difference. It may not be to the magnitude of those referenced, but that doesn’t matter. God wants us to be faithful with the talents he’s entrusted to each of us.
That said, faithfulness requires attentiveness. We can’t be glued to our phones all the time and take accurate notes of what is happening around us. So, put down the phone and be attentive. Flee the distractions and be present. One practical way to be present is to be active in prayer. Praying something like this goes a long way: “God, open my eyes to the needs around me. Give me words to speak so I can strengthen, encourage, and comfort others.”
Here’s another way to use your time wisely. Note people’s best and worst days. Romans 12:15 tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Today, we rejoice in Asher’s baptism. Let’s continue to rejoice. Let’s put this momentous day in our calendars and with each passing year, let’s celebrate by sending over a text or a card to remind him of the day he was buried with Christ and raised anew. You can do the same thing with birthdays or anniversaries or promotions. Make a phone call or write a card to celebrate. It just so happens to be National Card and Letter Writing Month in April; therefore, it’s a perfect time to write.
On the flip side of rejoicing, show a similar concern when you hear of a friend losing a loved one. Put the anniversary date on your calendar so you can remember to reach out, long after most people forget. When someone makes an epic failure, take note and remind them repeatedly of the truth. Remind them of verses like Romans 8:37, “We are more than conquerors through him who gives us strength.” Remind them of Proverbs 24:16, “For though a righteous person falls seven times, they rise again.” Note hard times and speak words of encouragement.
Collectively, you are so great about this. You can go into any given classroom during the week and find prayer requests on a whiteboard. Those notes help us remember to rejoice and to mourn with our fellow brothers and sisters, regardless of where they are – whether they’re in an exciting season, in a hospital, in a prison, or shut-in. It makes a difference. Ask Kris Skinner or Ali and Hedie, or Elaine Appleby. Ask yourself! We are all blown away when people make an intentional effort to rejoice and mourn with us. As a result, let’s note opportunities.
On to the “T” in our acronym: NOTE TENDENCIES. It is imperative that we are others-focused. God calls us to put the interests of others before ourselves. He also calls us to love people as ourselves, which implies we must take time to grow in love if we want to truly love others. A great way for us to accomplish this goal is to set aside time to note our tendencies.
Back in 2022, I had the privilege of joining Tre and Jessica for leadership training through an organization called GiANT. Jeremie Kubicek and his team developed a powerful leadership curriculum designed to help leaders effectively guide any group of people. One of the key lessons we learned was the importance of leaders understanding themselves. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. In order to lead others, we must lead ourselves. And to lead ourselves well, we must know ourselves. Easier said than done, right? We are all prone to be distracted or to have distorted views of ourselves. How do we begin to truly know ourselves?
Again, a great place to start is with prayer, mainly with a prayer like David’s found in Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV), “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Creating prayerful space for God to reveal what is in your heart is an ongoing, essential practice. Saint Ignatius, a Jesuit priest in the early 1500s, realized the benefit of this type of introspective prayer before God. He actually established a reflective prayer still utilized today by Jesus’s followers. His examen prayer revolves around five steps – one being for participants to pay attention or to log their daily emotions. His practice goes right along with what Jeremie encouraged us to do in GiANT. He urged us to keep tendency logs. Like Ignatius, Jeremie recommended we take time each day to reflect on our emotional states and the natural patterns for better self-awareness. That’s something I’ve tried to practice. Periodically, I take time to note when I thrive or stumble - emotionally or behaviorally. I’ll process questions like, Why did I get so short with the kids earlier? or Why did I pass judgment so quickly? This discipline has helped me become more mindful of my tendencies and it has opened my eyes to how others may perceive me.
Let me give you a few examples. Some people tend to be generous, friendly, sarcastic, easily angered, and/or lazy. We all have both good and bad tendencies. Personally, I tend to be a helper and a people pleaser - I smile often and talk a lot in certain situations, particularly when a group gets quiet since silence can make me feel insecure. Likewise, I tend to stay busy, which sometimes causes me to let responsibilities slip through the cracks.
Taking time to note these tendencies allows me to examine myself through the lens of Scripture and respond accordingly. Proverbs 10:19 says, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” The apostle James tells us, “take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19). Because I understand my tendency and God’s truth, I can now ask the Holy Spirit to help me hold my tongue when needed.
Another verse that has impacted me deeply is Proverbs 6:16–19. The passage lists some of the things the Lord hates - including lying. “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” Notice lying is mentioned twice. As someone who juggles several responsibilities, it’s easy for me to drop a ball or two. Furthermore, I’m tempted to justify my lack of follow-through—telling myself it wasn’t intentional or I just forgot. But Scripture, the mirror to the soul, helps me see the truth. Regardless of my intentions, God hates dishonesty, people are disappointed when I’m not true to my word, and, obviously, my integrity suffers.
As a result, through God’s empowerment, I’m becoming more intentional about letting my “yes” be yes. God knows I still struggle, however taking notes has helped me, especially when I commit to do something. Y’all, we live in a skeptical world where people often doubt whether others will be true to their word, and rightly so. People spout off empty promises left and right. Let’s take note of our tendencies. Let’s take note of our commitments so no one will have reason to question our integrity—or worse, to question the goodness of God.
Last but certainly not least is the “E” in NOTE. NOTE ETERNITY. As you scan through history, you’ll notice it was those who kept their eyes on eternity who really made an impact. Abraham, along with other spiritual giants, is in the hall of faith because of his eternal perspective. For instance, in Hebrews 11:10 (NLT) we’re told, “Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.”
His eternal perspective was on full display early on in Genesis 12 when God asked him to leave his homeland with not much direction, other than that God would lead him along the way. Abram’s somewhat-blind faith could be due to the fact; he was a man, which means he probably would have disregarded directions anyway. But I think his obedience has more to do with his long-term vision. He was a man of deep faith.
This doesn’t mean he avoided shortsighted situations. Abraham had moments where he felt unconfident and overwhelmed. Genesis 15 highlights one of those moments. At this point in his faith journey, Abraham was still referred to as Abram and he was really old and childless. He didn’t have a son to carry on the family name through his wife Sarah. Subsequently in Genesis 15 he interacted with God. Let’s pick up in verse 3, Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness” Genesis 15:3-6.
I love God’s response. Abraham felt helpless in his situation and for obvious reasons had a hard time believing God could help him overcome his seemingly hopeless situation. Therefore, God took him outside his tent and had him look at the stars for perspective. We don’t know if Abraham tried to count the stars or not, still I bet he quickly found comfort as he looked up. I imagine his problems rapidly shrunk as he thought about the miraculous power of God.
What a great example for us! When you feel lost or confused or insecure, go outside! And remember, God numbers the stars (all 300 billion or so in our galaxy). Moreover, remember -God calls each of them by name (Psalm 147:4). That’s a lot of names to keep up with, yet he knows them all. If that doesn’t give you chills, think about this again. He knows you by name! The message God gave to his chosen people still applies to believers. God says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). Taking note of these eternal truths will keep you grounded. It will motivate you to live for eternity. Additionally, it will encourage you to be a blessing to future generations just as Abraham was. God called Abraham into a covenant relationship to bless him, not only for his own personal gain, but for the benefit of all those who came after him. Thankfully, that was Abraham’s motivation. He noted eternity and passed on his life-altering findings so you and I can know eternal life.
Lewis and Clark took amazing notes and helped people navigate the Pacific Northwest. That’s great and all, however their motivations and their agendas were misguided and flawed at times, to say the least. Moreover, despite the thrill of the adventure or fame, their pursuits were temporary and unfulfilling in many ways. We know this because Meriwether Lewis took his own life in 1809. Simply put, his worldly aspirations did not bring lasting fulfillment.
Folks, you have a higher calling. The ultimate Commander in Chief has called you to be a pioneer, an ambassador. He has summoned you by name so you can lead others through the hills and valleys of life - so you can lead people to the ultimate promised land. It’s not easy by any means. The path is treacherous at times; nonetheless with the God by your side, you can fulfill our divine mission. You can pass on your life-changing notes! If you haven’t pulled out your pencils lately, today is the day. I want to encourage you to start noting names, opportunities, your tendencies, and most importantly eternity. Will you please stand?
This morning I want to open space for us to respond to God in whatever way that looks. Maybe for you it means starting at the very beginning. Maybe you need to start by fixing your eyes on eternity like Abraham. Maybe you need to put your trust in the name above every name. John 1:12 plainly states, “to all who believed in his name, (Jesus) gave the right to become children of God.” This morning you can be born again and adopted into the family of God. You can be restored to our heavenly Father.
Maybe this morning you realize you have not done a great job of capitalizing on opportunities around you. If so, find your courage by committing to be with Jesus. There’s an amazing example in Acts of how time with Jesus transforms us. One time Peter and John were in the temple area after Jesus resurrected and they boldly taught the gospel. They preached, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Then we’re told, “When (the people) saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:12-13). Jesus can empower you to capitalize on opportunities just like those ordinary guys.
Wherever you’re at in your spiritual journey, take note of God’s goodness this morning and respond for his glory and benefit!