Reflections (Part 1): Getting Your Bearings Back
1 step back, 2 steps forward
If you find yourself taking “2 steps back for every 1 step forward”, you’re in good company. With Fall just around the corner, we’re all entering into a unique phase of challenges. It seems like everywhere you turn, there’s some obstacle or new policy to contend with.
And as if that weren’t complicated enough, it’s all subject to change. Point being, circumstances are all too ripe for making mistakes right now. Which means the number of times you “feel like an idiot” are guaranteed to go up.
That’s why it’s imperative to keep your head on straight during difficult times. To never allow the inevitable failures to end up convincing you that you’re a failure. When the deck feels stacked against you, it only makes sense to take a step back & reestablish your footing. To regain a sense of who you are. Why? Because—
“When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do”. (Craig Groeschel)
Colossians 3:12 (MSG) says that we’ve been“chosen for a new life of love”. So even though the world continues to work itself into a frenzy, we’re called to reflect the love of God through “compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline” (Colossians 3:13-14).
Especially in the midst of trials.
When you’re committed to making a difference, you have to be at peace with making mistakes. You have to remind yourself, this is what comes with the territory. This is the nature of the line of work I’ve been called to. It’s never easy, but it’s always worth it. At the end of the day, a difference maker is a risk taker. And that’s exactly—
who you’re called to be.
Reflections of a reflector
When an arrow’s pulled back on a bow-string, it’s for the purpose of making an impact. Every day you choose to lock into your God-given identity, you’re put in perfect position to make a lasting difference. But that only happens when you—
take the time to do so.
Does that mean you need the next 10 days off? Not necessarily (although I’d take the time if you have it). What it actually means is something more practical, like taking 10 minutes.
It means carving out a few meaningful minutes to reflect on what God may be wanting to accomplish in you & through you during this season. Minor things (done consistently) often amount to major differences.
With that in mind, these next posts will be a focused look at 3 areas that offer the most upside. Each post will reinforce the position of strength you should be operating from, with the aim of helping you recharge your spiritual batteries.
Area #1:
Because you’re an original masterpiece of God, we’ll look at—
What God wants to originate with you.
Area #2:
Because “what you listen to changes you”, we’ll look at—
How you can keep your mind in the right place.
Area #3:
Because there’s no such thing as a hopeless struggle with God, we’ll look at—
How a change in direction can change your circumstances.
Remember, nothing of significance ever comes easy. Anytime you get serious about making a change for the better, expect opposition. In one form or another, we all deal with the tension that comes with going against the grain. Don’t let today’s tension steer you away from—
today’s mission.
Reflect it
Knowing who you are is undeniably important. The only thing it pales in comparison to? Knowing “whose you are”. Going all the way back to Genesis, we find that we were made in the image of God. And Jesus, God’s Son, is the perfect reflection of who God is.
“We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created…For everything, absolutely everything, got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” (Colossians 1:18 MSG)
If you really want to know who you are, then you have to know who to go to. Go to Jesus. Go to the source of perfect love. And when you find it, accept it. Then do as Jesus did—
Reflect it.
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today’s Takeaways
“When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do”. (Craig Groeschel)
a difference maker is a risk taker.
“We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created…”