Clarity

Frodo and all the heroes in Lord of the Rings had monstrous obstacles and an incredible journey ahead of them.  However, courage, strength, wisdom, and endurance prevailed through hardships, sadness, fears, and pain, because everyone knew what had to be done.  They all had a unified goal, and it was clear - to help Frodo destroy the ring.   

Have you ever been in situations where you had to make a choice?  Your decision would determine your time, energy, and future.  From the choice of which college to attend, which major to claim, or which job to take - your choice is crucial to taking steps towards reaching your greatest potential and the life God blesses.  Who you would build a relationship with, or who you are going to marry, are major decisions.  But how do you make the right choice?  How come I think so long, that I don't even make a decision, and the opportunity passes? 

In situations where you face major decisions, having clarity makes a big difference.  Those who have confidence in who they are, where they are going, and why it is so important, will often find an easier time thinking through the process.  They know God's part, and their own part in the choice.  They can take risks and say "YES!" when situations call for a not only a step, but a leap, of faith.

Clarity is easy to have when the boat doesn't seem to rock, but when the storm comes, and the strong winds blow in life, that is when those whose character is fully engaged in intentional, lifelong growth, maturity, and development will maintain clarity in the decisions they face.

In what area of confidence do  you want to walk through with someone you trust?

Engage your soul,

Jayson

Jesus is alive!

This is one of the most radical statements anyone can declare.  This declaration proclaims a fulfillment of a promise from the God of the universe.  The Son of God would die on a cross for our sins, die, and rise again from the dead on the third day.  But the story does not end there.  It actually begins.

Jesus came not only to die so that we can live.  He came to show us how to live life - to flourish, to persevere, to transform.  Jesus spent more of His life on earth teaching people how to live, who to become, and who to BE.  The Master taught us principles on how to have the relationship we always wanted.  He taught us values on how to be a passionate lover.  He taught us principles about finances.  He taught us about a higher morale code than what society can produce.  He taught us the value of what is in the heart of a person, rather than the public facade.  He taught that if anyone is to follow Him, he must bring these principles to life.  In a sense, "resurrect" these values from the dead in our lives, own it, and make it real, and live a life beyond your wildest dreams.

I must emphasize that this is a promise that God can only partially fulfill.  Isn't that amazing?  Jesus's resurrection, and our belief in this truth, does not bring about the life that Jesus wants for us to have!  Even though the Holy Spirit came into our lives, He will do His work, but even THAT is not enough.  God's work must be engaged by an intentionality and choice from us in so many dimensions.  In a sense, God will do what only He can do, but we must do what only we can do.  Believe it or not, we must want it, we must do the work.  For example, if Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days, if  Jesus spent 30+ years of his life in preparation for His ministry, we shouldn't expect anything less for us.  Intentionality, choices, and preferences as attitudes we must deliberately make every day, every moment of our lives.  It is a work that we can do, and many of us underestimate that work, especially the work in the places that REALLY need to grow and mature to a fuller potential.

When we do our part, not only can we say that Jesus is alive, but that I'm alive as well!

In what area of your personal life do you want to develop to a fuller potential?

A soul for success

Many people can make money, but it is interesting how many people who make money can keep the money in the long run.  We all have stories of people we know who made a lot of money, quickly, but within a few years, need money.  You have to think about finances, not only in short term, but also in long term aspects.  It is usually in the longer term aspects that though you may have riches now, does not mean that you will have what it takes to keep it, or multiply it, several years down the line.  I'm not even talking about the money hungry people, but just the ones who want to make honest, good money.

Relationships are hot topics.  The internet, magazines, and local hangouts are full of conversations about how to meet the one for you, how to maintain the one for you, and how one is NOT the one for you.  But many long for that ultimate love, that lasting love, where no pain, no sadness, and no fear will be found.  Many of us find out that having sex does not equate to emotional opennes and physical closeness we are looking for.  It is said that most women look for love through sex, men look for sex through love.  And everyone states, once  you are married, and oh boy, once you have children - it's all down hill!!!  Separation and divorce does not need legal papers.  It can already be present emotionally and physically. 

What can we do to make resources last, relationships last?  Why does it have to end?  Why is it so painful and hurtful?  Can the joys and celebrations last?

Again, we go down to the basics of human character.  If you look in the newspaper, and read about every corruption story in politics and finances - it is basically about the fundamental flaws of character.  It's called honesty.  Think about the stewardship of money that needed to be carried out with integrity.  Think about the lack of the charcter of fidelity in relationships that is reflected in our papers and entertainment programs.  Much of what is around our sphere of influence does not promote good character or integrity.

Jesus was the Grand-Master at developing the heart and soul - the charcte of a person.  He spoke strongly against the Pharisees, teachers of the law, about their glamorous good outsides, but the insides having dead man's bones.  It has to do with the inside of the person, the private world, rather than the public world, the public face that we typically, and tirelessly, present.  But once behind closed doors, we may get a glimpse of whether who we are has what it takes to be responsible with finances and flourish with relaitonships.

Reflection question(s):

Describe the Christ-like character that you feel is needed for finances and relationships to last.

Which one do you feel like you need to develop to a fuller potential?

Conversations of the soul

In my line of work, I get to know so much about people.  They can be high school, college, graduate, or Ph.D. students.  They can be just starting their career, or are presidents of their company.  They can be single, gay, married, remarried, or single parents.  They can be raised by their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or adopted.  They can be American, or internationals.  All walks of life come through my office.

Yet, I’ve never seen them spared from the hardships, or storms, of life.  Their current state of sadness, fear, or pain seems to dwarf any successes they have in life.  They are depressed, stressed, and anxious about all sorts of things and find themselves lost in them.  Interestingly, they are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and carried these feelings for so many years.  They go to therapy, counseling, or even churches, which helps somewhat, yet they don’t find that breakthrough they are looking for.  In my brief encounter with them, I find that what they are looking for are deep conversations, what I call conversations of the soul.  What we talk touches on issues that involve what lies beneath everything that you present to the public.  They involve one’s private world – a world that is so deep.  Sometimes we guard it so much that we may not be even familiar with what is in it ourselves.  

However, when they find someone who can guide them to this place of the soul, and have safe conversations about what one finds there, they discover hope and newer awareness.  As a matter of fact, they hunger for more of this type of conversation or relationship.  I ask them if they have friends that they can go on to continue having conversations like what we just had, but their answer is typically “no”.  They always seem to say, that they have “fun” friends, not “deeper” friends where they feel free and safe to be who they really are in their private world.   In that place, one finds the darkest place, and also the brightest of hope.  In that place, one finds Jesus.

Jesus was the Master of conversations of the soul.  Often, a profound question, unlocked hidden motives or profound treasure.  His sermons or parables were so profound it shook or awakened the soul.  If you live superficially, the meanings are a mystery.  When you dare to take the journey “inward” to your soul, you will find a precious gift.  Christians must familiarize themselves with conversations of the soul beginning with themselves.  It is most likely what your friends, and you, have been looking for.

Reflective question:

• What conversation would you like to walk through with someone you trust?
• What is the next step to bringing order into your private world?

The walk of glory

The sun was rising from the east, blinding me, as if the glory of God was shining on me.  The walk to work that day was no ordinary walk.  Throughout the morning, I listened to songs that inspired me, challenged me, and affirmed me.  From the critical crisis moments where His divine intervention gave me strength and courage to endure and overcome, to the times when celebration and emotions burst forth unhindered, I was consumed with thoughts of His incredible favor that I experienced throughout my life.  However, those things paled in comparison to one of the most important experience I’ve had during my journey with God: the lifelong transformational process that has made me who I am today.  This is not primarily about my finances, my career, my marriage and family, or my future.  It is about my private world or inner-being, which is testimony of a God who has the power to change and transform anyone who has a willing spirit and an openness to see and deal with oneself honestly.

          People are familiar with life-change, but everyone’s emphasis is vastly different.  Some want a change to bring security, stability, or predictability.  Some want that bond with a person that would sweep them off their feet.  Some want that body or look that causes heads to turn.  Some want to travel the ultimate travel, or to experience the most awesome fun-factor.  We are all engrossed by a desire for such life-change.  Yet, if the process or pursuit isn’t frustrating enough, once you attain them, it just doesn’t last as long as you would like. 

          God is the master of life-change, but often in a way that we are not familiar with.  It is not about the outward elements and experiences He wants to primarily change, but that of your soul, your character.  He wants to bring about change that is deeper, and so long lasting - it is eternal.  He wants us to grow to be deeper people, a spiritual master, into Christ-likeness – one of the keys, I’ve learned, to a life God truly blesses. 

The walk to work that day, was a walk of glory.

Reflective question:

• Since coming to a faith in Christ, how have you changed?