Magical Motivation

The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:29-31

Today’s Reading: Job 8-10; Acts 8:26-10

As I told you before in The Great Challenge I have felt inspired to go after some things in my life that seem super daunting.

Well I started feeling a bit discouraged.

There’s this time between believing that you will receive something and actually receiving it. It is the battleground of faith. We start to think about these things that we are striving for and start to see impossibility where we once saw the possible. We start to doubt that we ever even had the original push, the original motivation to pursue the dream that is quickly fading away.

But when we are in that valley of doubt between the mountains of purpose and promise we are not alone. There is always something there to guide us.

For the Ethiopian above it was Phillip. For me it was some of you all.

On my post “The Lord Taketh Away?” Jared Jones suggested that I read the book of James. I asked for a specific reference then after a day or so I forgot about it. It was random enough right? “I’ll just get to James when I get to it” is what I thought to myself.

Then a couple of days ago I was talking to my girlfriend about feeling a bit discouraged and she quoted James 2:17 to me…

Hmmm… strange but probably a coincidence… even so, the conversation and the verse totally motivated me and I felt myself getting back on track.

But it didn’t stop there…

The next day I called my friend Kofi about one of these big projects I am working on and I told him about the two times I got hit with the book of James. Not only was he talking about me when I called but he also had his Bible in front of him open to chapter 5 of the book of James.

Ummmm… at this point it was clear that I needed to read the book of James.

So I started reading it last night and got through the first three chapters. I couldn't continue on because I was overwhelmed by how on point it was for where I am in my life and the tools I need to get where I need to go.

So much food for thought….         

I’m saying all of this to say that sometimes we get frustrated because we feel like we don’t have all of the right answers. And that is actually correct. We do not have them by ourselves.

But if we pay attention to those around us, pay attention to our deepest desires, and that little voice inside that continuously urges us to pursue our dreams; it will be easier and easier to see the miracles of life. It will be easier to see the next steps we need to take. It will be easier to have the courage to take them.

We are not alone in our triumphs or our troubles. There is always a helping hand to lead us to where we need to be. 

What Do You Really Want?

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:3-6

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 7-9; Acts 3

I wonder if many of the problems we have in our lives are a result of us not asking for what we really want…

I had an email conversation with my cousin the other day. She shared some of her goals with me and I shared some with her. One of the things that she asked me was something like this: “How do the things that you want work together? Is their any synergy? If they work together then you will be happier.”

I’m summarizing… but what she said was dead on.

Often times I have focused on what I think I need right now instead of what I really need to ensure long term joy. It’s the difference between someone who is unemployed looking for a “job” versus sitting down and thinking about what brings them true joy and seeking out opportunities in that field.

For me the thing that makes me focus on the short term instead of the long term is fear. Sometimes I have a hard time seeing the forest because I am looking at the rocks lining the trees before me.

Thank you cousin for reminding me to ask for what will bring me lasting joy rather than short term relief.

The Great Challenge continues on.

Getting Back On Track

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32: 7-8

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 32-33; John 18: 19-40

In the spirit of the Great Challenge I went out on a limb last night and took a chance. There was an opportunity that seemingly came and went about a month ago that I have been wondering about.

It’s one of those things where you let something slip away because of life’s circumstances. I got real busy and buried my focus into things that really mattered at the time.

No regrets… I had to grind.

So last night when I contacted this person I was expecting to hear that the opportunity had past but to my surprise the window was still cracked open. As a matter of fact the timing for my reentry into the game was pretty perfect.

All things happen for a reason right?

Well I don’t know about all that. I’m just glad that I had the courage to make that move when I felt the urge to. No more questioning. No more over thinking.

Time for some action.

And that is something that we must always remember. When we are on the path toward fulfilling our purpose nothing can stand in our way. God and the universe always conspire in our favor when we are moving toward joy, love, life and fulfillment.

Let’s get it!

The Great Challenge

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. 2 Chronicles 31: 20-21

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 30-31; John 18: 1-18

So I was chillin the other day in a flu induced stupor and I started thinking about some things. There’s nothing like the flu to get you to start thinking about life.

I’m one of those people that stays running around in entirely too many directions. I try my best to meditate, focus and all of that good stuff; but sometimes I lose track of what is important while chasing the urgent things in life.

The flu sure fixed me man…

On Monday I was trying to push myself through work while shivering from fever induced chills and I started thinking… man, this ain’t right.

So I stopped, chilled for a minute, and then that little voice spoke to me.

Not the one that tries to lead you astray but the ones that tries to get you to do the things that you have always wanted to do but were too scared to try.

Well yeah, we actually had a bit of a conversation. It went something like this.

Little Voice (LV): What up homie.

Me: Sigh… you again huh… You always come around when I’m laid out.

LV: I been here fool… you’re the one who chooses not to listen.

Me: Touche… what’s good?

LV: When are you going to do what I say?

Me: *crickets*

LV: I have a challenge for you… why don’t you try to do what I say without question for the next month or two and see what happens.

Me: That again huh?

LV: You’re hard headed… you should have been listening.

Me: Touche again… I’ll shut up now.

So yeah. That’s what I’m gonna do. The first time I did this I ended up reading the Bible from cover to cover. The last time I did this I started this blog. Who knows what this next time will bring… but one this is for certain… gotta live life to the fullest.

Life is about stepping out on faith... challenging ourselves to follow that little voice inside that whispers our dreams.

So… let’s get it!

Stay tuned for periodic updates. I’ll be sure to share the miracles when they come.