Friday, January 18, 2019

Perspective Shifts

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn on the Texas Gulf Coast.

This week I read, or had read to me, a couple of things that were really profound to me, that shifted my perspective. Because you are my friends and I think these are amazing, I have to share them with you! :)

The first came when I was reading the book, Lead...for God's Sake! A Parable For Finding The Heart of Leadership by Todd G. Gongwer. I would highly recommend this book to all of you...it is amazing! Here comes perspective shift #1:

"Since I have decided to live for the purpose God created me for, from here on, my goal will be to have everything I do flow from the foundation I've established in him. I want God to be at the center of all my priorities. Did ya catch that? No more 'God first, family second, and school, work, or team third' - that's a bunch of crap, as far as I'm concerned. It never works. God's too big to be put in a 'priority' box. Instead, he needs to be at the center of all my priorities in life because he wants to be a part of everything I do. That means whether I'm working on taking care of myself mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, God remains at the center."

Wow! Mind blown...for me at least! :) As I read those words I couldn't help but think of the almost check list like life I have lived far too often. Read the Bible...check! Pray...check! Workout...check! Take care of the family...check! Work...check! Help a friend...check! Each one of these things were prioritized and placed in a nice little box. I think I always thought that if I started with the Bible and prayer, God would bleed over into the other areas as well. This isn't the way God created it to work however. Instead of all these nice, neat little boxes to check, what if God was at the center of it all? That, I believe, is how God designed us to live! We are to live with Him with us when we read the Bible, pray, workout, spend time with family, work, spend time with friends, etc....in everything! There is a warm feeling in my heart and soul as I think of living life this way! I can't change the way I have lived the previous 51 years however I can invite God into the center of everything starting right now, in this moment! This is how I plan to live my life...you too will choose! :)

Perspective shift #2 came on Wednesday, January 16th. How do I know the specific date? It came when my Beautiful Bride was reading the daily devotional to me while I ate breakfast from Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you to read Jesus Calling. You see, Jesus Calling, was my precious Mom's ministry. She always had an extra Jesus Calling on hand and when she met someone new or encountered someone struggling with life, she would give it to them. In fact, the Jesus Calling I have right here was a gift to Kath from my Mom. Inside my Mom has written a message telling Kath how precious she is, how much my Mom loves her, and my Mom prays this devotional will bless her as much as it has blessed my Mom as they both grow closer to God. Powerful... And seeing the handwriting of my precious Mom who now gets to spend all her time with Jesus...well, it touches the heart! 

Perspective Shift #2:

"Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to Me, relax in My peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear in confident trust."

Wow! Wow! Wow! I had never thought of it that way, had you?! Rehearsing our troubles causes us to experience them many times when we were only actually supposed to experience them once, when they actually occur. All the days and nights thinking about the problem, struggle, challenge...playing it over and over again in the mind. Living through it time and time again. What a waste...and a horrible experience! While I know it won't be easy, I am going to strive to let it go, trust God and experience things only as they come, living fully in the present. May I please say it one more time? Wow!

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.

Kev

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