Motivation.
We have choices to make every day. I don’t know about you, but I’m a dreamer.
I tend to think about and dream up the best possible scenario in every situation and walk of life, but then often find myself sitting around, dreaming my life away from the comfort of my studio apartment. It’s true that God wants what’s best for us, but it’s also true that God helps those who help themselves.
Taking that first step is sometimes the hardest part. It’s easy to picture ourselves being successful, but it’s a whole other thing to take physical steps to attain and accomplish our goals and dreams. Fear, insecurity and inadequacy often get in the way, but that’s not something we should be surprised by – actually, Jesus warned us about this problem over 2,000 years ago:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33-Hillsong United, Jon Acuff and Nike put it best – in today’s terms, it’s not until we set aside our fears, take heart and JUST DO IT that anything happens!
Jon Acuff’s blog post, “How to talk to a million people on TV,” is especially inspirational. At least, my mom said she liked it. 🙂
To use a biblical example, it probably wasn’t easy for Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land in the face of deathly opposition. I’m sure that staring death in the face was more of a reality for him than most of us. For those of us in modern civilization that deal with fear on a daily basis about any number of things, it may be encouraging to think of God speaking directly to Joshua in the Old Testament with this promise:
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous.” -Joshua 1:5-As a wise mentor once told me, every day begins with a choice: you can choose to get up every morning to make a difference, or to go out and be a piece of monkey crap. I’m pretty sure Joshua made a difference – now, if we believe that Jesus promised that we would accomplish “all this and more” (John 14:12), what are waiting for? We can talk and dream all we want – I want to start a church, I want to end world hunger, I want to run a marathon, I want to be a published author with best-selling books, I want to be a music producer, I want to win the lottery, I want to be a top-40 artist, I want to be Oprah, I want to win a Pulitzer Prize, I want to end global warming, I want to be a rock star, etc. – none of it matters until we actually step out and take action, no matter how scary, intimidating or unfamiliar the task may seem.
According to Jesus, nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26). He told his disciples in the gospels that anything they ask in His name will be granted, and those words may seem too good to be true, but I believe God really does want what’s best for us if we are rooted and grounded in Him, so why not go out and go do something AMAZING today?? Oh, the things we could do if we really began to walk by faith and not by sight (Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7).
How many things are we actually crossing off of our to-do lists, and how many do we let sit there? As Michael Korda said, “The more you can dream, the more you can do.” And Ghandi was onto something when he said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
So, whatever it is you’re waiting for – DO IT!!! Jesus did, and promises we can too, with a little faith. 😀 What will your step of faith be today? Mine was starting this blog, but Britt Nicole tell me to dream bigger – she thinks you can “walk on the water, too.”
Well Sister Christian, made us all think and be inspired again today. Well done! Loved the use of commercials, blogs, music and actual thought. Keep up the good work! P;S; Glad that you took the high road of making a difference rather than “monkey crap”, today!