Lent: WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL?
There is nothing in this life that you can’t accomplish. I hope that sinks in a little. There is nothing that you cannot do if you want it badly enough. Lisa, my wife, is an example of that. There is a spirit in her that continues to look at each day as an opportunity. No matter how badly she has felt physically or the reality of living with cancer, she continues to press forward with courage and strength. She knows that she can accomplish anything if she really wants.
Often we get scared of success. A lot of times we fear the thing we have dreamed of all of our lives.
Several things stop us from realizing our dreams.
1) We get comfortable in our ruts: This might be one of the most dangerous things we encounter in our lives. We are creatures that are highly adaptable. We will make do if it is necessary. We can make the best out of the worst situations. This can be a huge asset. However, when it comes to realizing our dreams it becomes a negative. Instead, of reaching for the stars we settle for the ground. This happens in marriages, work, personal satisfaction and in even in church.
How we battle this starts in our mind and the more we transform our mind to that of Christ we can win. Christ can help you understand that your rut is not your mountaintop. Christ makes us see something in ourselves that is greater and more powerful. Christ pushes us to achieve incredible things and realize our goals and dreams. So get uncomfortable and reach for the stars…they are waiting for you.
2) We let fear convince us we are okay where we are: Jesus says to us all, “Fear not!” This is an incredibly simple statement, but one we must start to own. Fear makes us do strange things. When it comes to our dreams we let it take over. Some of us are afraid of success. Most, however, are afraid of failure. Yet, the irony is that failure is a part of being successful. Before I ever achieved anything in business I had many failures from which I learned. In fact, I was truly more prepared, because of my failures. It made me a better person and a better entrepreneur.
Fear in the end only convinces us to stay right where we are instead of moving out into deeper water.
Oh, by the way, there are some people that you know that will also try to keep you in your rut and make fear grow in your life. You know who they are. I have them in my life too. They will always point out the problem, try to squash the dream or say you can’t do it. Then when you do achieve something great, they will always, and I mean always, try to find fault with it. Do you know how to handle these people? Smile and walk away. You don’t need them…I PROMISE! Surround yourself with positive people, people who want to reach for the stars too. When you do watch what happens!
Lent needs to be, for us all, a journey of dreaming big and reaching high. Whether that is in your career or to a personal dream or achievement you wish to achieve. Lent tells us to DO IT!
So do not wait. Get out into deeper water. Cast your fear aside. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Start today.
Peace be with you!
Rev. Jim
