2nd Hand Advice

We must all come to terms with the plan that God has for us in lfe.  We all have some notion about our purpose in this world, but there are probably quite a few of us that have not reconciled the significance of that purpose or how it will manefest itself in the world.

Some might think its their goal to bring a beautiful singing voice to the world, but with that,  also attain fame, fortune, noteriety, money etc.  Would if singing is your station in life, but it came absent this other stuff?

Are we supposed to accomplish goals that make sweeping meaningful changes across society?  That capture the imagination of  the masses.  That make us a lot of money or  get us on the front pages of leading newspapers.  Or, are we just supposed to do the best we can and make the best of every opportunity to impact as many people that come our way as possible.

I believe it is not the sigificance of the accomplishment, but the impact of the work on the people  exposed to it.  MLK once said in his book “A Measure of a Man”,  that a man should be the best he can be regardless of his staion in life.  If a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper in the world.   If a dishwasher, be the best dishwasher.  Do your job with excellence, set an example,  and the light God has put in you will shine.  And that light will illuminate someone elses life.

You fit into God’s plan if you do that which he put you on earth to do and nothing more.  You may not become famous.  You may not make a lot of money.   You may not win awards.  But like the practice player on the basketball team, or the fifth string violinist in a 100 peice orchestra, you have a role to play and that maybe in God’s plan for you.

The role you play no matter how small, is as significant as the roll of the high profile star, the person that gets all the attention and sometimes all the credit.  In the making of a great movie, very often we don’t hear about the sound guy, or the costume person, or some supporting actor who did their part in the making of that great movie.  Those small players are just as critical to making greatness as the guys with the star power.

Well, God’s plan is to create a planet of people who love one another, and who work to transform and enable others to reach their highest God given potential.  And in the process, create a more perfect creation……the Kingdom of God.   He has created a role for you, a role enabling you to contribute. 

No matter how small you might think your job is, do it with excellence.   Do it as if your doing it for God Almighty.  Do it and let God use it to impact people.  Do it and let Him use you to build a society that seeks to love, uplift, transform, and just plain make life better for all who live in it.

There are 2 bible verses that move me like none have in a long time.   They are packed with promise, with power, and with potential.  They are:

John 14:12 – I assure you, most solemnly, I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do: and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the father.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you: My peace I now give you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed: and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

There are so many different ways to draw the power of these words into the heart.

First and formost,  read placing emphasis on what Jesus promises.   For example, that you can do the things that He does, and even greater things:  that He now leaves peace with you.

Second read with emphasis on the word “will”.   These are things that are already done or will be done if the condition (s) of the statement is satisfied.  God has already set in motion and caused certain things to be.  We just have to receive and beleive.

 Third, read for the things Jesus commands for us to do or not to do.   For example, He said “Do not let your hearts be troubled: do not be afraid”.   Those sound like  commands.

A person functions in 3 modes.  Your actions, disposition and emotional state can be driven by what you think, what your body craves, and by your  “will”.

It can be said the first two eventually determine what you “will”, the utlimate action.  On the other hand, the “will” all by itself also can be determinative.  In other words,  your behavior and emotional state can come from the “will” first.  So what am I saying?  I’ll give you an example.  Your body can crave a peice of chocalate cake and based on that craving, you will eat that cake.  You have just brought yourself, for that moment, into submission to the cake based on a physical craving.   OK, the mental part.  You can supress the craving, but you can go through the mental excercise of convincing yourself its OK to eat the cake, regardless of whether your hungry or have a craving at all.  So, the mental exercise can lead to eating the cake.  Now for the “will”.   The “will” is that one power or force that doesn’t succomb.  The “will” actually overrides the raw physical desire/craving to eat the cake.  It tells the mind to stop rationalizing.  Its as if the “will” is telling everyone….”this is what we’re going to do”.  The “will” brings every thing under submission.

Another quick example.  This is an exercise in the power of  Will.  Go make yourself comfortable and sit at your favorite spot in the house or backyard.  Close your eyes and concentrate on any three sounds.  Could be background noise, the hum of a refrigerator, birds chirping…whatever.  Now, identify the sounds in your mind, blackout everything else,  and simply try to focus on those sounds only for 5 minutes.

As your doing this, you’ll find that your mind wants to go somewhere else, think some thought, wander into a day dream.  Your body wants something and is trying to intrude.  It wants some water and maybe makes some unitelligable sounds.   Your “will” is trying to and is capable of overriding the mind and body to focus on those sounds.  Its that power that makes the decision to do the thing you have assigned it.

That’s the Power of Will.