When we were much younger, we dreamed of what we wanted to become when we grew up, even if our ideas were pure fantasy. Our imaginations went wild! We may have even spent time researching how to make that dream come true. Eventually, though, we allowed ourselves to get distracted without the focus and discipline. Sound familiar?
It is likely that some, if not most of us, had concerned parents who encouraged us to get into the right college or trade school that matched our abilities and talents. Did we listen and complete our education?
On the other hand, maybe we didn't get the support we needed at home. Dad just wanted us to follow in his footsteps, so why did we need an education? Mom just wanted to see us find the right husbands who could support us for a lifetime. Our achievements and dreams were not celebrated as possible pathways for our life ambitions. No one was in our corner. So we “graduated” with a MOQ degree- Master of Quitting- and we were quite good at it.
Now, many years later, when we get off course and pursue lifestyles, careers, and marriages that were never meant to be, it changes our entire life map. It's as if we are headed down one path and find the road blocked. We are forced to use the detour. Sometimes, we get lost and never get back on the right road. We start going in circles like one of those irksome roundabout traffic patterns! Then we wonder, “What in the world happened?”
When we look up, we see that our nature was traveling down the wrong road in the first place. No wonder we never got anywhere! We had allowed others to determine our life course because of our lack of confidence. We lost the space needed to grow, create, and find our purpose. We became what others expected and wanted us to become, rather than trusting in our abilities.
Many other revelations started floating to the surface, and once again, our viewpoint changed. This time for the better. This time to explore, examine, and expand into a beautiful new life full of purpose! The key is never to let it go. And don’t ever, ever give up!
Tip of the Day
After struggling, perhaps for years, to gain control once more of our own lives, we finally reach a point where we suddenly realize our nature was just out of sync with God’s plans for us. He never intended for us to go that way!
This time, we are turning in the right direction. We seek. We listen. Our spirit is reconnecting to our soul like magnets attracted to each other. We “put on a new nature,” follow the Lord, and the angels dance! Hallelujah! Renewal begins.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (Colossians 3:10 NLT).
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV).