That Was Easy
Life is full of moments that cause us to look at others, inspired at what they have accomplished, and the kind of person they must be.
Moments that temporarily lead our hearts to dream again.
Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Think about the last time you witnessed
Someone post online their incredible weight loss / health transformation.
Someone sharing of how they quit their job to pursue their passion and launched a business.
Someone talking about becoming debt free and changing their family legacy.
Someone write their first book, or release their first music album.
Someone testifying of the forgiveness that took place in their marriage, with a parent, a sibling, their kids, OR between themselves and God!
Someone growing their family (naturally, adopting, fostering, etc.)
Someone buying something new- car, truck, suv, boat, atv, camper, house, dog, vacation house, etc.
Someone rehabilitating from a crippling addiction.
Someone finishing a 5k, half marathon, full marathon, ironman or any other goal they set out to do.
BUT…
Notice the way we treat others as opposed to how we treat ourselves in these moments.
We celebrate others breakthroughs, yet critique our track record, littered with mistakes.
We believe in others potential, but belittle our own.
We align ourselves as their ally, only to become our biggest adversary.
I don’t know why, but each of us possess the uncanny ability to be our own biggest critic. We convince ourselves that our dreams and passions are best left staying that way… as dreams. We think that every other person in the world MUST know the secret to success, and we are the ONLY person in existence that has been left out. Without even realizing it, we have snuffed out the flame of our recently inspired heart, shoving it back down into the "box” we force it to live in daily, taping the lid shut once again.
(The Easy Button)
We convince ourselves that their journey to significance and impact, must have been the result of them discovering the little red button seen on Staples commercials, pressing it down as many times as needed along the way and hearing “That Was Easy.”
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
I don’t think that anyone who has ever done anything of significance would tell you that it was easy. In fact, they would probably say that it was more difficult than they originally imagined. I’ve heard stories from writers to athletes to entrepreneurs telling of the tens of thousands of hours they poured into their passion and craft. But they each would say say it was worth it! And then some.
What dreams do you have that ignite your soul, but you continually place back in the box?
Oh, I know. You have the perfect list of excuses to explain why you live on pause instead of pursuing your God given passion.
If only I had a little more money, it would be easier, then I would…
When my kids get older, I'‘ll have more time, so I will…
Even though I believe God has big things for you, I’m just not so sure He can do it through me…
My life is safe right now so I’ll just stay right here…
IF I CAN JUST FIGURE OUT THE EASIEST WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN…
Really?!
3 Tips
There is never a convenient time to pursue your passion!
If God places something on your heart, stop shoving it in the basement of your brain! It will be hard at times. Some times really hard. But it will be worth it! All it takes is for you to start the journey!
You will need to establish NEW FRIENDS along the way!
Fear and Doubt are the bad friends our parents tell us to get rid of, yet we are unwilling to block them from the speed dial of our mind. They are familiar, even though they lead us astray. So we keep answering their call. You will need to establish some new relationships as you pursue the God sized stuff. Invite these dudes into your circle of friends- Courage, Conviction, Discipline, Hope, Integrity, Passion, Patience, Perseverance, Persistence. Find yourself still struggling? Look at the characteristics of your closest friends. If they possess these “new friend” traits, you most likely will begin to as well. If they are still running in your “old friends” circle… well, you get the picture.
Someone is waiting for you to do something great!
God only made one of you. No one in this world is wired quite like you, with your story and your passions. You are needed, more than you can imagine. Think of the ways others have added value to your life over the years. A small coffee shop owner who now lifts you up mornings, with your daily fancy coffee, asking for the latest updates in your life. A teacher who didn’t just grade your papers but challenged you to be more than you could dream about, causing you to apply for scholarships and college or a trade. A coach that put you in places of leadership because they knew you make others better, and was a second parent to you, especially on those car rides home from practice. A nurse who was there, caring for you or your loved one, not just physically, but emotionally as well, all while they were completely drained. A book that challenged you to try something new. A song that lifted your soul on your darkest day. A testimony of someone stepping out in faith, making you believe you could do the same. What is it that someone is waiting for YOU to do?!
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best, to become the best you are capable of becoming.”
Hall of Fame Basketball Coach- John Wooden
You will never discover greatness in yourself while binge watching Netflix, reading a romance novel or laying out on the beach. Those times are needed for sure!
But what are you pursuing today that is costing you something? That makes you excited every morning to wake up so you can get after it again?! That you don’t feel qualified to do- stirring you to pray even more, for God to help you to do the little things consistently, so He can get the greatest glory in your pursuit of impacting others.
NOTHING is easy when it comes to doing great things. But all it takes is for you to start, and to keep showing up every day. Trust in God to guide you along the way. Give HIM the glory. And keep going, even when those old friends try to call again.
There will never be a better time than now. So go ahead. Grab your scissors or your knife and cut the tape once more. Reach in and take your heart back out of the box you placed it in. And instead of trusting yourself, place it into God’s hands. After all, He is the one who makes all things possible. Not me. Not you. So trust Him. Do your part. And get to it!
This website. This blog. Old friends are already calling. But I keep hitting ignore. I am choosing to believe someone needs me to do something great for God. For them.
YOU have an opportunity to impact others and be the GOOD so greatly needed in someone else’s life today! What are you waiting for?!
#todaysgonnabeagoodday
