I have been thinking about how much momentum our lives build up over time, and I wonder: how much of what I do today is coming from the movement that has already been happening in my life up to this point, and how much is from hearing what God wants to do in my life, from fresh direction, vision, and forward thinking?
What’s moving you today? Is it your need to pay the bills that drives you to punch the clock at work? Or is it a deep love for what you do? Is your career being driven by a need to look good for someone else – maybe a family member, friend, or neighbor? Or is your life’s work coming out of a deep sense of calling and purpose: this is what I was created to do!
I confess that at least part of my motivation comes from a need to pay my bills, pay off debt, save for the future – sometimes all pretty challenging to do with each paycheck. And these motivations aren’t wrong, but they can be dangerous.
I thank God because I know I am doing work that matters as I try to meet the above mentioned needs. I know I’m doing work I was created to do, and I love every minute I’m behind my desk, or out serving those I’m working with.
But I have had work that felt like it didn’t matter. I have had work that left me feeling like my soul was somehow leaking every time I clocked in.
And I’ve felt my life’s momentum pulling me with such force that it felt impossible to break out of.
“You can’t do something different, what happens if you don’t make enough? Stay where you are! At least you know you’ve got regular money coming in. It’s not great, but at least it’s coming. You’ll make due with what you have!”
Negative momentum. It took a few really great books, some great conversations with my wife, some family members and close friends, and lots of prayer to help me begin breaking the direction my life was travelling in. Many times it felt like I was stepping face first into a wide open fire hose. There was fear. There was doubt. But there was also hope that I could make something different happen with my life.
Prayer: I believe we’re created by God on purpose and for a purpose. Talking with Him about it, about what He’s doing around you and how He wants you to join Him is a powerful step of change to take.
Reading helped me find new ideas. (Not the old ones that were governing my life.)
Great relationships can give you the strength and encouragement you need to take that next step. Sometimes all we need is for someone to believe we can do something new or different! Do you have a few people like that?
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