“Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” — Anonymous
Is it just me or does time seem to speed up when you hit middle age? Years begin to pass like days. When I was much younger I remember how time sort of dragged on. I wondered when school would finally get out so I could play and do the things I wanted to do. Now it seems to fly by me so quickly, leaving me wondering what I did with my time. Sounds depressing, almost disappointing doesn’t it? But instead of limiting us, our lifespan can consistently remind us to be all we were made to be.
Often we’re tempted to play it safe and settle for far less than we were made for. I know so many people whose favorite day of the week is “someday.” Countless people in every stage of life say, “Someday I’m going to go for all that life has to offer.” “When I retire, then I’m going to enjoy life.” “Someday I’m really going to live for God and get my act together. I’ll start loving my family better.” “When I make enough money, then I’m really going to spend more time with my kids.” “Someday when my schedule slows down, then I’m going to get involved at church.” “When I have more time, then I’ll focus on being more spiritual.” Unfortunately these have been some of my excuses too. Now that my children are older I have disappointments and regrets because I fell prey to the “Someday Syndrome”.
Someday. One day. When. If…then. When are we going to wake up and realize this is life and it’s happening now?
This is our life, right here, right now. I have talked with many people and they share with me the idea that is inside them—something they want do to make a difference and it sounds right on… But the next step… Please don’t make the mistake I have made of saying not now or as we shared, “someday.” Someday is now. We’ll always be tempted to resort to the Someday Syndrome, but this mind-set robs us. Someday, when whatever we’re looking for happens, then we’ll start living. When everything settles down someday, then we can enjoy life. I won’t be as stressed or busy. But things won’t settle down. Once we attain what we think we want–more money, a less hectic schedule, the right job–we’ll soon realize that it doesn’t fulfill us, and we’ll begin looking for the next big thing.
God didn’t design us simply to stand by and watch life pass us by as we wonder why we aren’t more fulfilled. God created us to take risks in faith and to conquer the giants that paralyze us with fear, and to live a life filled with passion.
The Someday Syndrome says, “Don’t be ridiculous; be reasonable. Don’t stand out. Don’t take risks; play it safe, and make security and comfort your primary goals in life.” However, God calls us to a life of faith, living every moment all out for Him. God didn’t create us to coast along or swim in a wading pool. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” He has promised us an abundant life. But the first part of the verse talks about the thief coming to rob kill and destroy… Someday is a robber, a killer and a destroyer that is the enemy. Maybe this seems far removed from where you see yourself right now. Take heart, as difficult and frightening as your life may be right now, God is still there. He cares about you beyond what you can understand or even imagine. Please learn from my mistakes and choose not be stuck in the Someday Syndrome.
Today let’s accept the challenge’s and face our fears with ridiculous faith and experience the life God intended you to live.
For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [b]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 Amplified Bible
Blessings,
Joel & Terri
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Could it be that God Know our Future?...
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Ps.139:13-14 NIV)
Did you know that God has already written out the story of your life? He’s written out plans for your good, plans to prosper you, plans for peace, and allows plans for you to be stretched and challenged.
What ?? You said stretched and challenged with prosper and peace? See our molding does not just happen in the good but also when we go through negative situations. God will use everything you go through to move you forward toward that good plan. But on this path you will see Him growing you through tough times, and you will experience peace beyond words!
When things happen that we don’t understand, it’s easy to think, “Why did this happen? Why did this friend betray me? Why did this company lay me off and finding a new job is impossible? Why didn’t I get that promotion? WHY? WHY? WHY?” But you can’t let the things you don’t understand keep you stuck on the same page in the story of your life. You have to decide to turn the page so that you can see the victory waiting for you in the next chapter.
Life lesson: Many times we are harder on ourselves than anyone else could be. Sometimes we focus more on what's wrong than what's right—the outward things that we aren't satisfied with, the status we have in life, etc. But how often do we remind ourselves that we are God's creation and He said it was good? Even when we may not feel valuable, in His eyes we are valuable. Even when others complain about what we're not, God is saying what we are and what we will be, according to His plan! Even when we stray from His plan, He forgives, corrects and loves on us. What are some of the easiest ways to forget how special God made you? By comparing ourselves with others; by trying to emulate others; or by allowing someone else to make us into something God didn't. Each of us are one of a kind, hand crafted people that fit in a priceless collection called the body of Christ. Along the way we have picked up attributes that aren't His, but He's even willing to help us shed the weight of those. There's no part of us God doesn't know. Every gift, every emotion, every flaw, He knows. So, we must remind ourselves of this fact: God has never created anything worthless or that didn't have a purpose.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Gen 1:27)
If you are facing a difficulty today, know that God’s plan is to turn it around and use it for your good. The story of your life isn’t over! Keep moving forward, keep believing, keep hoping, keep forgiving because your days are written out for good, and it’s time to turn the page and see the blessing He has in store for your life!
Blessings,
Joel & Terri
Did you know that God has already written out the story of your life? He’s written out plans for your good, plans to prosper you, plans for peace, and allows plans for you to be stretched and challenged.
What ?? You said stretched and challenged with prosper and peace? See our molding does not just happen in the good but also when we go through negative situations. God will use everything you go through to move you forward toward that good plan. But on this path you will see Him growing you through tough times, and you will experience peace beyond words!
When things happen that we don’t understand, it’s easy to think, “Why did this happen? Why did this friend betray me? Why did this company lay me off and finding a new job is impossible? Why didn’t I get that promotion? WHY? WHY? WHY?” But you can’t let the things you don’t understand keep you stuck on the same page in the story of your life. You have to decide to turn the page so that you can see the victory waiting for you in the next chapter.
Life lesson: Many times we are harder on ourselves than anyone else could be. Sometimes we focus more on what's wrong than what's right—the outward things that we aren't satisfied with, the status we have in life, etc. But how often do we remind ourselves that we are God's creation and He said it was good? Even when we may not feel valuable, in His eyes we are valuable. Even when others complain about what we're not, God is saying what we are and what we will be, according to His plan! Even when we stray from His plan, He forgives, corrects and loves on us. What are some of the easiest ways to forget how special God made you? By comparing ourselves with others; by trying to emulate others; or by allowing someone else to make us into something God didn't. Each of us are one of a kind, hand crafted people that fit in a priceless collection called the body of Christ. Along the way we have picked up attributes that aren't His, but He's even willing to help us shed the weight of those. There's no part of us God doesn't know. Every gift, every emotion, every flaw, He knows. So, we must remind ourselves of this fact: God has never created anything worthless or that didn't have a purpose.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Gen 1:27)
If you are facing a difficulty today, know that God’s plan is to turn it around and use it for your good. The story of your life isn’t over! Keep moving forward, keep believing, keep hoping, keep forgiving because your days are written out for good, and it’s time to turn the page and see the blessing He has in store for your life!
Blessings,
Joel & Terri
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