Platforms . . . . MMMMMMM?

I got invited to speak at the Texas Tech University FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) this past week. It was a fun and exciting time to speak to influencers on a university campus. Some of these athletes were on scholarship and some were not but they all by virtue of being visible athletes on campus have been given a platform to lead from.

So I spoke to them about their God given platform from which they lead in a positive or negative way.

Kinds of platforms:

Oil platform - Diving platform - Political platform - Platform shoes - Train platform

Platform - elevated places, safe places, belief systems. (simple definitions since dictionary.com had 14 of them)

No one owes you a platform. Platforms are usually earned and then given for us to use in a negative or positive manner.

Platforms are established over time and lost in an instant. Tiger Woods Tiger Woods Tiger Woods - need I say more. Men have made mistakes and failed all throughout history and we as a human race have been gracious and forgiving. We usually open up and allow them back, but do they ever attain the place of influence that their original platform afforded them? Side note about those who have failed - treat others the way you want to be treated Luke 6:37,38.

If it is just about you, you do not have a platform. All you have is selfish ambition. Your platform must be bigger than you (your personal vision for your life). Your platform must be connected to something so big we have to call it a cause (Susan G. Koman) or how about the Kingdom of God. Matt. 3:2

Relationships are the foundation of a platform. If you can't build relationships, you can't have a platform. This goes with the one above. Your platform must be about others. Making them better. Moving them higher. Leading them into their destiny. We cannot help people unless we get involved with people and a platform is given to influence people.

You're more likely to keep your platform if you ask questions. Get around people that do what you are doing but they are doing it better than you. Proverbs 27:17

Lots of people want a platform , but very few are gifted to have a platform and even fewer are humble enough to keep it. This hit me between the eyes. Having a national platform as an "ABSTINENCE EDUCATOR" and being known as "SEX ED" has always been a little scary for me. Yes, I want to extend my influence as far as I can but how do you do that and not be prideful and a little arrogant? James 4:6

The person who yells the loudest doesn't necessarily get the platform. I confess this used to be me. God does the promotion! 1 Peter 5:6

I'm Thinking,
Ed