Tag Archives: #identity

Spirituality

Seeking God

One of my favorite Scriptures is Jeremiah 29:13: “You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” But what does it look like to seek God, an unseen Spirit?

One thing I ask God for, is to show me His vision for my life. I want what God wants for me. I’m certain it’s better than anything I can dream up on my own. Way better. God sees things I cannot. If I was allowed to see my life as it will be in ten years, I wouldn’t understand how I got there.

This isn’t about religion. It’s the other “R” word, relationship. God doesn’t want us to picture Him as some distant, unconcerned deity. No. He is a loving father who cheers us on even during those times we aren’t cheering for ourselves. When I’m fulfilling the purpose I’m on earth for, I’m aligned with God and I will see God in the purpose.

Try meditating on Jeremiah 29:13. Ask God to show you His vision for your life. Keep asking and keep seeking until it becomes crystal clear…

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Spirituality

Do It For You

In this column, I often write about self-work and how worthwhile it is. But why do we do it?

We do the work for ourselves. Personal growth is about growing yourself. Personally. Most people want to be better than they were, say, ten years ago. When I look back at who I was a decade ago, I can see how much I have progressed. Then I get excited thinking about where I will be ten years hence!

Growth is a slow process. I encourage you to be patient with yourself. Hold yourself accountable about sticking with your plans, but give yourself some margin if you fall back. Your life will hit plateaus and the occasional valley. Whatever you do, stay with it. Remain focused on where you’re going.

And remember, the better you are mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, the better you are for other people. And you will attract more healthy people into your life.

Guaranteed…

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Spirituality

Rare Like No Other

Do you take the time to consider how rare you are? Since the beginning of mankind walking the Earth, you are the only you who has ever been, or will be. We are talking about over 100 billion people, yet only one you has ever existed or ever will exist.

God loves variety, no doubt. If you need evidence, just look around. People come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Then take a moment to look in the mirror. I hope you like who you see, because there was nothing random in creating your life. You were planned before the planet and the stars existed.

Think about this every day. Let it seep deep into your subconscious mind where it will change how you feel about yourself.

God didn’t create you and then forget about you. No! He wants you to grow and thrive. The only limitations you have are those you place on yourself.

Go show the world who you are. And remember, you are working for an audience of one…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Practical Atheism

We just finished celebrating Christmas which, along with Easter, is the largest day of attendance in church. A sense of obligation brings some people in, but we are failing at keeping them.

It’s estimated that anywhere from 4% to 30% of people in the United States don’t believe in God. Surveys can show wide and varied differences, and these are no different. The truth is, only God knows who believes in Him. But there’s more!

How we act is a representation of our belief or disbelief. Worry is practical atheism. We worry because we want to be in control and not allow some unseen god to take the reins. We might be looking through the wrong lens. Having faith in an invisible spirit is real faith. We know God is in control so we don’t have to be.

Judgment, treating others as less than equal, and laying guilt trips on people is in opposition of how our Creator acts. By doing so, aren’t we holding God’s character in contempt?

Going to church won’t make you a believer. If you go for the wrong reason, it might make you resentful. Go because you want to. Nothing else is necessary.

And remember, God looks at the heart of mankind. He knows everything, and that’s a good thing…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Meetups

There is a reason behind everyone we meet. What I’m suggesting is, there is nothing random in this life. We are here for a greater purpose, and God is guiding our steps. He is putting the people He wants us to know in our path.

Sometimes people are in our lives for just a short period. We create great memories of them, yet we have both moved on. I believe you understand precisely what I mean.

It’s important to remember that we can learn something from everyone. There are valuable lessons in our interactions, whether we are talking to the CEO of a company, or the housekeeper who cleans our hotel room. But we can only learn when we are taking the time to listen. Be willing.

Everyone is equally important in the eyes of The Creator. Let’s treat them as equals…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Finite

We are here for a short period of time. Compared to eternity, it wouldn’t even be a drop in the ocean.

God has determined not only the length of our lives, but He chose the period in history we were to be born in. My purpose for being here would not have served God’s purposes if I was born in the 1400’s for example. This suggests there is no randomness to our being here. There is a reason.

It is true that I have wasted a lot of time in my life. Chasing things I thought would fulfill me never worked out. Striving for the Creators purpose is the only thing that has ever filled the hole in my heart. You have the same hole. What are you trying to fill it with?

I encourage you, don’t waste another minute. Pursue your purpose with your entire being. The day will come when we all will check out.

Finish well…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Guidance

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Recently I was reading this and it spoke to me in a whole new way.

Many times in this blog I have stated that the Bible is the best, most comprehensive self help book ever. It tells us how to live our lives without a bunch of rah rah. And there it is: “submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” It’s the submission part that trips us up. We don’t like being submissive.

God is in control of everything. When we submit to his ways rather than our own selfish desires, we have peace and contentment. Living in his will is often the road less traveled, and I admit it’s difficult. There are a lot of things to tempt us onto the superhighway to hell! And Satan knows exactly what appeals to each of us. He’s had a long time to observe human behavior.

Following God’s word won’t turn you into a religious nut. You won’t stop showering and start dressing weird . The change is inside. You feel it.

I encourage you to give it a try. The only thing you will lose is some chaos from your life…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

In Hiding

How do you define yourself? When you are asked to describe yourself, what is your answer?

Our identity begins with our name. We do not have a choice of our lineage, and I’m glad we aren’t given that privilege. God, in His infinite wisdom and planning, created us uniquely for a purpose. Only through our unique DNA could this have been accomplished.

People try to hide behind facades to cover up their insecurities. Embellishing one’s life is a tell-all that there’s more there than meets the eye.

I encourage you to take an honest inventory of your character traits. What are you good at? Do more of that and allow yourself to grow.

Don’t hide your talents. Use them to benefit others, just as God intended…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Evolution

Finding out who you are is grueling work. We are more than our possessions, our careers and our zip codes. Those are just things that much of the world uses to measure us.

Everyone is different and has been given unique talents and abilities. Some people are extroverts while others find crowds to be energy draining. Some people come alive in front of a microphone while others freeze when asked to do public speaking. There is no one, right way.

I encourage you to take the time to learn about yourself. That might sound silly but it’s not. People have gotten so busy that they have lost their sense of self. They wake up one day and realize they are living a life of frustration. They want more.

Write down the things you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. Then you have begun the trip down the road less traveled to find your true identity…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Misfits

Everyone has felt like they don’t belong sometimes. The crowd wasn’t really your type, you were underdressed, or maybe you were just feeling insecure. All of us have felt that way. Somehow, some way we survived! (Sarcasm)

I believe being a misfit is a good thing. It’s your opportunity to stand out from the crowd, to speak up when others are being silenced. If a child is being harmed or misled, we have one opportunity to put things right. Take the chance and have no regrets.

Being different from the rest is how God made us. He must love variety because different heights, shapes and sizes are all around us!

Embrace the idea of being a misfit. You will be noticed and remembered. Make sure it’s for something worthwhile…

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