Not happy with your progress in life?

What are your dreams? What are your goals? Have you forgotten about them? Are you frustrated because you feel you should be more far along in your vision for your life than you are now? Welcome to the world. Things often don’t go the way we want them to. And that’s OK. We are in a journey that comes with its own surprises. Like Frodo Baggins leaving the comforts of the Shire, the journey will be life changing and exciting, but also painful and challenging.

Where we want to take huge leaps forward, only steps can be made. Frodo Baggins was taller than most hobbits measuring at 3 ft. 6in. But he was much shorter than everyone else. Where a son of Adam took 1 step, Frodo had to take multiple. But yet he made the journey and finished well. Many times it's not how fast you get there, but how well you arrive.

What if we are to just focus on our next step rather than our next mile? I would encourage you to open the book of Psalms in the Bible and read chapter 119. The psalmist writes in verse 105, “Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my paths”.

The path and each step matters… Think about what path you're on. Consider what your next step will be.

Change

I recently looked up the definition for the word ’change’ in Merriam-Webster.com I loved the definitions:

                   To become different

                   To make (someone or something) different

                   To become something else

Step into the time machine and go back 10 years. Think about what you liked. Think about what you thought about at that time. Where you lived and what job you had. Think about whom you were with. What you used to eat and how you spent your time. Think about what you knew and what you didn’t know.

Have you changed?

Are you different today? Have you changed for the better or for the worse? I know that for me thinking back 10 years means thinking back through so many mistakes I made. It might be the same for you. Have you already told yourself, “If only I knew back then what I know now”?

Be Transformed

I like what a guy named Paul wrote, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Here’s the bottom line: we don’t know the future. If I did, I’d probably not make the horrible decisions I made back then. I’d also win the lottery several times. But I don’t. What I am grateful for is that God knows the future. He knows where I am now. And if I follow him and yield my flawed proclivities to make them obedient to what God’s will for me is; I may make decisions that might be weird to others but acceptable to God.

Do you find yourself making the wrong decision often? Ask yourself this question before making decisions:

Considering my past mistakes, my present circumstances and what God has in mind for my future… what decision should I make now concerning __________________________.

Ummm... Why am I here?

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me, your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. –Psalm 138:8

How important is purpose to you? Have you ever found yourself saying, “What am I doing here” or “why am I here”? Maybe you said that after finishing lunch in a questionable buffet restaurant. Or you may have said that a quarter of the way through a horrible movie with a simple plot, bad actors and low quality effects. Maybe you asked yourself that because you don’t feel like your getting anywhere in your job. Or maybe you mumbled that to yourself after another argument that you had and now you’re wondering if this relationship is what you hoped it would be. But have you ever asked yourself, “What is my purpose in relation to life in general?”

“More men fail through lack of purpose than through lack of talent”

It’s not very difficult to think of 3 men in history that have failed in life because of a lack of purpose. Success, popularity, acceptance by the public, and wealth are but a grain of sand compared to the boulder of purpose. Despair’s grip has a much tighter grip on the grain of sand than it can ever have on the wide and tall boulder.

What in the world is my purpose?

I would suggest that purpose is found when we as individuals recognize God and discover the specific purpose for why we were created. What if purpose was more about having a relationship than it is about figuring something out? My father in law was a contractor. If a new worker shows up to the construction site and just starts doing something without reaching out to the contractor who is directing the show, the construction worker won’t know what to do. He will be lost without a purpose. The contractor has to direct the construction working and tell him what purpose he will serve in the construction build.

What if Life was the same way? What if the contractor was God and life was the construction site. Discovering your purpose is dependent on whether you have a relationship with God.

So if your not sure why you’re here, or what to do... my question would be... Have you reached out to God?

Anxious

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -Philippians 4:6

Recently I attended a small group with a few couples. Right before we wrapped up to end the meeting we went around the room so everyone can share their thoughts about the study. When it was one of the guys turn, he said something along the lines of, “it’s just stressful…. I’m tired of being tired of worrying about my future and whether I will be able to give my children the support they need as they start their lives.”

Anxiety can be a formidable opponent. After that gentleman shared his concerns, many in that room related to him. Who doesn’t worry? Everyone does! We worry about relationships. “Is this relationship going anywhere?” “Will we be able to stay together?” We worry about our jobs. “Will I be promoted this time?” “When am I going to get a better job?” “If I don’t work an extra 20 hours this week, I won’t be able to finish the project by the deadline!” We worry about our home. “I need to get laundry done but my schedule isn’t looking so good.” “I have to get home to cook but with this traffic I won’t be able to.” “I have to cut the grass this weekend before the neighbors start complaining and my residential community fines me.”

Whatever your anxious is about, meditate on this Scripture, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Something happens when you’re honest with God. He listens to your needs and you realize how much you need Him.

Intentionally Grateful

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord.

-Ephesians 5:20

Challenges in life sometimes come and go like the seasons. Right when the days seem predictable and relaxed, you’re hit with something unexpected. It may have been tragedy. Your job may be the source of much stress. Maybe your relationships have taken a turn for the worse. Perhaps you’re in a financial pinch that requires you to make hard decisions to adjust. Or you may have lost a loved one. When such things cloud your mind and fog the vision for your future, its difficult to

be grateful for the little things. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord. Being intentional about being grateful shrinks those problems a bit and helps you focus on the good things about your job, family and life. And always remember that you have a God that cares about you and your struggles.

Consider praying. I like what Maya Angelou said, “I know that when I pray, something wonderful happens. Not just to the person or persons for whom I’m praying, but also something wonderful happens to me. I’m grateful that I’m heard.” Make the decision to be intentionally grateful. Try to find 5 new things to be thankful for every day. Putting something as simple as that into practice may change your approach to your whole day.

Make a list of things you are grateful for and spend a few minutes in prayer to God. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, consider saying this prayer:

Jesus Christ, forgive me for my sins. I accept you as my Savior. Come into my heart. Jesus, change my life as I start to follow you and your will for my life. Amen.