This, or Something Better!

"Ask and it shall be given to you..." Mathew 7:7

 

Janet and Chris Atwood, authors of The Passion Test tell us that they find the biggest challenge for most people is getting out of their own way… “They start to write down a passion, but if they can’t immediately see how they can practically make it happen, they erase it (especially the big ones!) and put something down that they can easily put their arms around.  In other words, they play it ‘safe.’ …Often we get bogged down in the “hows”; how will I find the money?  How will I find the time?  How will I learn this or that skill?   But it’s not the ‘how' that is important for us; it’s the what.”

I’m hoping that by now you have your cards spread around (in your journal, car, office, etc.)  with your five passions written in the order of their importance.  I’m also wagering  that you have gone back and reworded some of your phrases, moving up the bar of your expectations, and cranking up the volume of this ideal life of yours.  Now it’s time to gather up our index cards with your five passions, and on the bottom of each card write this phrase….”This, or something better.”

As so often happens when we put our attention towards something, we find that syncronicity happens around us.... very recently, our Pastor began his sermon with this question: “Do you think that God has given you everything he wants to?" There was a long pause as the congregation pondered it. “If not,” he went on slowly, “perhaps, it’s because you haven’t asked.”   He continued with Jesus' words in Matthew: 7:7 ‘Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you’.

The sermon seemed eerily timely for me…. timely because I had been struggling with going to God in prayer about this 'ideal life'. How about you?  Do you find it hard to approach Him with a request that seems almost greedy…selfish…undeserved? Have you asked God for your passion statements to come true?  If not…why not?  Are we afraid he won’t answer?

Our Pastor reminded us of Jesus' following words: 'for; everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.’  "And I believe," the pastor continued,  "that God answers our requests in one of four ways:

He says:
1.  Yes 
2.  Yes, but not now.. later
3.  No, It's not the best thing for you.
4.  No, but I’ll give you something better. 

Have you had trouble visualizing clearly what your dream would look like if your life was on fire, if you were living your life with a clear purpose, and with passion?   We must not let the ‘how’ get in the way and block our view.  We need to believe that God will answer our prayers.  Take heed and watch for doors to open, other opportunities to come around and most importantly for God’s ideas to take root. Yes.... for even something better. 

The verses in Matthew continue as Jesus says, "What man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone?....If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” 

After listening to the Pastor’s sermon, I found myself thinking about getting to the gates of heaven and having God show me all the doors that would have been open to me, had I just turned the knob and walked in, all the things He wanted to give me….if only I would have asked.

“Close your eyes for a minute”, write the authors of The Passion Test,  "Imagine what life is like for you when you are completely living this passion.  What does it feel like?  How do your days change when you’re living this passion fully?  Are there any changes in the ways you interact with others?  What impact does this passion have on your life? and  …will your life look exactly as you picture it now?  Of course not!  It will be something better!”

Here's an interesting idea about how to find your passion:  Listen to Sean Aiken's on Ted Talks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcMyX5R4dzs
and here's his website to learn more about his idea: http://www.oneweekjob.com/
 

Email me at: Smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com