This morning, I found this article to which really got me thinking. Conclusion: Money isn’t everything if you aren’t happy or satisfied with what you are doing. Offensive lineman John Moffitt of the Denver Broncos has decided after season 3 to retire. Money wasn’t everything to him to sacrifice his body for the name of the sport when the passion or happiness factor wasn’t there. Smart man.
How many times have you sucked it up and thought you were doing something that you WANTED to do? How many times have you realized what you thought to have been a very rewarding decision and choice really wasn’t what you thought it was? The fact is, life is really about making every decision count. We make right decisions and we make wrong decision. Life is about learning. Life too must be lived ON purpose. If you don’t live a life worth your passion, sanity, and one that is desired then maybe it is time to look at priorities.
I was always raised to put God first. As human beings….as selfish human beings…we always try to do it our way. We try to make everything about what we want to get out of life. That is a little backwards in my opinion. Life really isn’t about us anyways. Sounds like a contradiction, ehh? Let me explain. God created each and everyone of us with a specific purpose and need in mind. He didn’t intend for money to be everything. He should be our everything. It is through our relationship with God that we come to know the person He created. We find out about our strengths and weaknesses and just how much we should be depending on God for our guidance in this journey. We will not find our way by chasing what we think will make us happy. We will never be fulfilled by putting ourselves first.
Here is a really amazing blog post by Joyce Meyer’s Ministries to which explains what I mean. http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=putting_god_first_in_your_priorities
When you put God first, you start to notice things that maybe you wouldn’t have even glanced or thought twice about. Take for an instance, walking around. Have you seen the same street bum begging on the corner? Have you ever really thought about why this individual is there? Or what their story is? Or do you consider yourself an elite individual with your clique of friends only. You keep a tight reign and no one else can be let in to the “inner circle”. News flash…there is always someone that is feeling left out. Have you noticed that person lately? Have you taken into consideration their feelings? Have you decided to do anything about it?
When you put God first, you realize that He loves each and everyone of us as though we are the only person that existed. He never abandons us and many times falls quiet as to test us. When you feel that He is the furthest away–He is simply right around the corner. I think for me, one of the hardest things to realize is that Jesus is in every single person. He is! Have you looked deeply into a strangers eyes? Have you ever just felt this calm love? Or maybe not….I guess that would be kind of weird, right?
I do feel that when I am having a rough day, He sends little angels to remind me “Hey goof…life is not all bad! I am still right here walking this road with you!!” It never seems to fail when things go array, I am always exactly where I need to be. Whether it is for my benefit or the other persons.
When you put God first, perspective comes. It is not right away or with ease to which that happens, but eventually it will come. When you put God first, your passions meet obedience. We are so narrow-minded as human beings as to think we can put limits on God’s love for us. God can do anything. TRULY. God will guide us toward our passions and love if we simply ask and follow Him. This is a hard thing for an extremely independent little woman to get through her thick skull. I need to stop whining and just go bring everything directly to God. God has always been there consistently. Why do I always forget that?
This week has been a stressful week. I put a lot of this stress on myself without realizing my load is nothing compared to others. My cross to bear, is my cross. I need to remember not to push my cross on others as I do not want to tip them. I am grateful that others allow me to vent. I am grateful that I have such a support group and cheerleading section making sure that I am still sane. I am so grateful for the reminders God places in my life to which keeps me afloat. But, I need to remember to know when to call it for my sake. I needed to remember that God comes first and know to call it quits to me being selfish. It’s God’s will not my own. He will always provide as long as I am listening and obedient to Him.
Today I want to challenge each and every one of my readers, do you truly put God first? Are you truly seeking Him and His plan for you in each decision? Are you using your gifts to the best of your ability? Just look at yourself reflectively today. Be thankful for who you are today. Be thankful for where you are at on your journey. Be thankful for your support group. Becoming is a hard long road of faith. The end result will be well worth its while!
CatMan
As told by CatMan, The Rose Bandit 