“Success involves failing first. Ask any successful person. Ask any experienced person, really. It's all part of the creative process, so sit back and allow the artist within you to sprout, blossom and flourish. You must accept that your first, second, and third attempt at something might suck. It's a necessary step in improving your skill. Failure is your teacher, not your judge.”
― Connor Franta
NEHEMIAH 7-8
9Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”(8:9-10)ACTS 3
6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
JOURNAL
"the joy of the Lord is your strength"...really letting that sink in. Not power or talents but joy of the Lord...Joy in all that God is doing and has done. It takes the focus off myself and the current situation. It causes me to see God in the context of all he has done and is doing. God's joy is not finite, it is infinite. Therefore if I embrace his joy I see all of time past, all of the present, and all of what is to come. I see that regardless of my life, God is doing great things, God is redeeming the evil of man. God is transforming hearts and minds and that is a joy that cannot be replaced. That is a joy that is far greater than my current circumstances.
Thinking yesterday through the purpose and concept of goals within the context of God's kingdom. It became clear when I realized that I could still accomplish personal goals and totally miss God and my life would be completely empty...or I could miss my personal goals and my life be complete and a glory to God. So do my personal goals matter? I think the answer is both yes and no.
I believe God can use our personal goals to draw us to him and help steer us down the path he desires for us to travel. They are in essence the dog treats of the spiritual world. In reality they aren't essential in the grand scheme of things but they can steer us toward obedience and relationship with God. They may seem and feel overly important, yet when considering them in the grand affair of human life...they most often will matter very little.
Yet this is not to diminish them...because I believe every day, every moment is essential in our relationship with God and our place in the world. The pursuit of my goals can drive me to God in ways that force me to grapple with discipline, obedience, adversity, relationships, and love. These are the essentials...these are the things that really matter.
So in thinking further...my personal goals are God's way of drawing me to him. They should never replace God and accomplishing them will never complete me or my life. However, they are important, and seeking them, pursuing them, and accomplishing them is part of my relationship with God. I am free to pursue them, work for them and seek to accomplish them, but in the end, I am to remember that no matter the success or failure, the pursuit, the process, playing the game, and working my heart out is really what matters.
ISAIAH 40:31
Thinking yesterday through the purpose and concept of goals within the context of God's kingdom. It became clear when I realized that I could still accomplish personal goals and totally miss God and my life would be completely empty...or I could miss my personal goals and my life be complete and a glory to God. So do my personal goals matter? I think the answer is both yes and no.
I believe God can use our personal goals to draw us to him and help steer us down the path he desires for us to travel. They are in essence the dog treats of the spiritual world. In reality they aren't essential in the grand scheme of things but they can steer us toward obedience and relationship with God. They may seem and feel overly important, yet when considering them in the grand affair of human life...they most often will matter very little.
Yet this is not to diminish them...because I believe every day, every moment is essential in our relationship with God and our place in the world. The pursuit of my goals can drive me to God in ways that force me to grapple with discipline, obedience, adversity, relationships, and love. These are the essentials...these are the things that really matter.
So in thinking further...my personal goals are God's way of drawing me to him. They should never replace God and accomplishing them will never complete me or my life. However, they are important, and seeking them, pursuing them, and accomplishing them is part of my relationship with God. I am free to pursue them, work for them and seek to accomplish them, but in the end, I am to remember that no matter the success or failure, the pursuit, the process, playing the game, and working my heart out is really what matters.
31but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
ISAIAH 40:31
No comments:
Post a Comment