photo credit: Josephine Anna on FlickrIt is natural, in toward the end of the year, to reflect on how the past year has gone. I have started this process, and actually have found myself reflecting on the past two years. I'd like to share some of the lessons I have learned in the process of working on Success Factors, both online and offline. I write this from the heart, and I write this as a follower of Jesus Christ, since that is the main part of my identity.
1. I failed the test of wanting the wrong things. What was the test? I have wanted the American Dream. "What's wrong with that?!" you ask. Well, there is a tale the Eskimos tell of the wolf, who starved for meat, comes upon a projectile in the ice and snow, coated with fresh blood. The fresh blood, warm and enticing, drives the wolf crazy. He licks and licks at the projectile, which is the razor sharp knife, coated with blood, thrust upright in the snow by the sly hunter. The wolf licks and licks, enjoying the fresh blood, not realizing that it is his own blood he licks. In time, he drops over dead, having bled to death.
The ten commandments in Exodus 20: 1-20 start off with the admonition to have no other gods beside the God who had delivered the Israelites from the land of slavery. For me, it started off innocently enough, when I read books such as the Richest Man in Babylon, the Millionaire Next Door, and Rich Dad Poor Dad. Is wanting financial comfort wrong? Absolutely not! However, I believe that I failed the test of loving God first, and the idea of getting rich started to take front and center at the expense of my relationship with God. That which we focuses on expands, states Anthony Robbins, and I found that to be true in my own thinking and heart. It was not obvious at first, just as the wolf does not notice that it's his own blood he is licking. However, over time, I started to experience leanness of spirit. The book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible shows Jesus speaking to and confronting/challenging Christians who were wealthy, and thought that they "had it all." However, they did not realize that when we focus on material things only, we do so at the expense of poverty of spirit (Revelation 3:18).
2. I failed the test of wanting the right things for the wrong reasons. "Steve, you must be insane! You're one of those stiff Christian types who states that having money is wrong." On the contrary, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having money. As James MacDonald, my pastor, has stated, don't make the mistake of thinking that those who have wealth are missing the boat, and that those who are living in poverty have greed beat. There are many wealthy people who are generous, and who don't find their significance in owning many things. On the other hand, there are many poor people who can think of nothing else than wanting to gain material things, so that they forget all about God.
I have written a number of posts on this blog based on Napoleon Hill's classic, Think and Grow Rich. One of his prerequisites to growing rich is to develop a burning desire for wealth. And that is where I believe I went wrong. My burning desire needs to be for my Creator and my God, who I have written about in my post about significance. As Steven Covey, in his classic book, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, has written, successful people begin with the end in mind, and they put first things first. The chief end of men and women, as I understand it for myself, is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. That is to be my first and foremost magnificent obsession and burning desire.
So I failed to pass the test. What were the consequences to me over the past two years?
a) I got what I wanted. My Father is forever patient with me. But when I seek material things first, He allows me to do that. I was able to put in many hundreds of hours, seeking to be 'successful' in the form of network marketing ventures, online ventures, real estate ventures. In the process, I learned some great lessons, which I do not regret. But, I often had the nagging feeling that I was not really living up to my core values of God first, followed by family. In other words, my calendar should reflect that I am spending time in Bible study, prayer, and meditation, and quality time with my children and with my family. After all, there are only two things that will last forever: God and people. Too often, my calendar has reflected running after material things.
b) I missed out on the best thing. There is a parable (Matthew 13: 44-45) that Jesus tells in the New Testament. It's the parable of a poor farmer. He's out one day, and he stumbles upon a treasure hidden in a field. He sells all that he has so that he can buy that field and obtain that treasure. My Creator, my Lord Jesus Christ, is the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45). The more I know Him, the more I am filled, the more I want to know Him. The apostle Paul of the New Testament definitely found this to be true in his own life (Philippians 3:8).
So what do I intend to do, now that I realized I failed this test?
I am repenting! To repent is a Biblical term taken from the Greek word metanoia. It means that commit to change my thinking, which results in a change in my decision making and my actions.
My goal for the next year is to step away from the "God-and" philosophy. The God-and philosophy of life states that God is fine, as long as he is part of my portfolio. My portfolio requirements are, of course, all about me, when I have this philosophy. God's fine, as long as He is just one slice of my pie, which includes making lots of money, having a great life partner, having the house in the burbs, and being able to hold onto secret sins that might be offensive or unBiblical. The bottom line is, my life is not all about me! It's all about Him!
When I reflect on the price He paid for me, it's ludicrous that I should think life is about me.
So, how might this look? Please note that there is no prescription about what consists of a life lived for God instead of for purely material motives. Each person is different; each person has their own struggle in putting God first in his/her life.
For me, I am working on:
Giving God the best of my time and energy, which may mean working less and serving more in the community, such as a volunteer at an animal shelter, or at the church, or at any agency that works to serve the disadvantaged or the poor.
This also means that I am working on being more intentional in giving to support organizations that work to decrease poverty around the world and in my own country.
Putting God first also means that I am daily spending time in God's Word, the Bible, so that I can prayerfully find out what is His Will for me, versus living my life only for myself. This also will mean, for me, that I am intentional about memorizing Scripture, praying more, and seeking to serve my family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, and customers.
Finally, I am going to be shifting the focus of this blog to include a lot of writing about what it means to be successful from a Christian perspective.
I am preparing to pass the test of significance in this coming year, and for years to come. How about you?
By the way, I've got to close by sharing this song, Pure and Holy Passion. I hope it blesses and inspires you as you seek to pass the test of significance :)
Click Here! for excellent resources for Personal Growth Development
I welcome your comments below, or your comments on Twitter
1. I failed the test of wanting the wrong things. What was the test? I have wanted the American Dream. "What's wrong with that?!" you ask. Well, there is a tale the Eskimos tell of the wolf, who starved for meat, comes upon a projectile in the ice and snow, coated with fresh blood. The fresh blood, warm and enticing, drives the wolf crazy. He licks and licks at the projectile, which is the razor sharp knife, coated with blood, thrust upright in the snow by the sly hunter. The wolf licks and licks, enjoying the fresh blood, not realizing that it is his own blood he licks. In time, he drops over dead, having bled to death.
The ten commandments in Exodus 20: 1-20 start off with the admonition to have no other gods beside the God who had delivered the Israelites from the land of slavery. For me, it started off innocently enough, when I read books such as the Richest Man in Babylon, the Millionaire Next Door, and Rich Dad Poor Dad. Is wanting financial comfort wrong? Absolutely not! However, I believe that I failed the test of loving God first, and the idea of getting rich started to take front and center at the expense of my relationship with God. That which we focuses on expands, states Anthony Robbins, and I found that to be true in my own thinking and heart. It was not obvious at first, just as the wolf does not notice that it's his own blood he is licking. However, over time, I started to experience leanness of spirit. The book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible shows Jesus speaking to and confronting/challenging Christians who were wealthy, and thought that they "had it all." However, they did not realize that when we focus on material things only, we do so at the expense of poverty of spirit (Revelation 3:18).
2. I failed the test of wanting the right things for the wrong reasons. "Steve, you must be insane! You're one of those stiff Christian types who states that having money is wrong." On the contrary, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having money. As James MacDonald, my pastor, has stated, don't make the mistake of thinking that those who have wealth are missing the boat, and that those who are living in poverty have greed beat. There are many wealthy people who are generous, and who don't find their significance in owning many things. On the other hand, there are many poor people who can think of nothing else than wanting to gain material things, so that they forget all about God.
I have written a number of posts on this blog based on Napoleon Hill's classic, Think and Grow Rich. One of his prerequisites to growing rich is to develop a burning desire for wealth. And that is where I believe I went wrong. My burning desire needs to be for my Creator and my God, who I have written about in my post about significance. As Steven Covey, in his classic book, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, has written, successful people begin with the end in mind, and they put first things first. The chief end of men and women, as I understand it for myself, is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. That is to be my first and foremost magnificent obsession and burning desire.
So I failed to pass the test. What were the consequences to me over the past two years?
a) I got what I wanted. My Father is forever patient with me. But when I seek material things first, He allows me to do that. I was able to put in many hundreds of hours, seeking to be 'successful' in the form of network marketing ventures, online ventures, real estate ventures. In the process, I learned some great lessons, which I do not regret. But, I often had the nagging feeling that I was not really living up to my core values of God first, followed by family. In other words, my calendar should reflect that I am spending time in Bible study, prayer, and meditation, and quality time with my children and with my family. After all, there are only two things that will last forever: God and people. Too often, my calendar has reflected running after material things.
b) I missed out on the best thing. There is a parable (Matthew 13: 44-45) that Jesus tells in the New Testament. It's the parable of a poor farmer. He's out one day, and he stumbles upon a treasure hidden in a field. He sells all that he has so that he can buy that field and obtain that treasure. My Creator, my Lord Jesus Christ, is the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45). The more I know Him, the more I am filled, the more I want to know Him. The apostle Paul of the New Testament definitely found this to be true in his own life (Philippians 3:8).
So what do I intend to do, now that I realized I failed this test?
I am repenting! To repent is a Biblical term taken from the Greek word metanoia. It means that commit to change my thinking, which results in a change in my decision making and my actions.
My goal for the next year is to step away from the "God-and" philosophy. The God-and philosophy of life states that God is fine, as long as he is part of my portfolio. My portfolio requirements are, of course, all about me, when I have this philosophy. God's fine, as long as He is just one slice of my pie, which includes making lots of money, having a great life partner, having the house in the burbs, and being able to hold onto secret sins that might be offensive or unBiblical. The bottom line is, my life is not all about me! It's all about Him!
When I reflect on the price He paid for me, it's ludicrous that I should think life is about me.
So, how might this look? Please note that there is no prescription about what consists of a life lived for God instead of for purely material motives. Each person is different; each person has their own struggle in putting God first in his/her life.
For me, I am working on:
Giving God the best of my time and energy, which may mean working less and serving more in the community, such as a volunteer at an animal shelter, or at the church, or at any agency that works to serve the disadvantaged or the poor.
This also means that I am working on being more intentional in giving to support organizations that work to decrease poverty around the world and in my own country.
Putting God first also means that I am daily spending time in God's Word, the Bible, so that I can prayerfully find out what is His Will for me, versus living my life only for myself. This also will mean, for me, that I am intentional about memorizing Scripture, praying more, and seeking to serve my family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, and customers.
Finally, I am going to be shifting the focus of this blog to include a lot of writing about what it means to be successful from a Christian perspective.
I am preparing to pass the test of significance in this coming year, and for years to come. How about you?
By the way, I've got to close by sharing this song, Pure and Holy Passion. I hope it blesses and inspires you as you seek to pass the test of significance :)
Click Here! for excellent resources for Personal Growth Development
I welcome your comments below, or your comments on Twitter
