Because of our natural human fixation on “the seen,” we tend to think only of the impact of our story in this brief season of our existence: the here and now.
Although that impact is not unimportant, as immortal beings we should be far more concerned with how our story will sound when it is told there and then, in that next season of existence that will extend through all eternity.
I have been traveling and keeping family commitments of late so I pushed the pause button on The FaithWalkers Podcast for this week only. But I wanted to offer you an alternative listening option.
Think of today’s post as similar to those episodes of your favorite shows where they weaved clips of previous shows together to create a new show that costs a lot less to produce.
I could always count on every MacGyver season to have at least one of those episodes. But I digress.
I know it is likely not everyone has listened to all the episodes thus far. This week could offer a chance to catch up on missed episodes you can use to grow your faith.
Here is a complete list of all 15 episodes to date. Episodes 1 and 2 are foundational. Just click on any of them to listen and get caught up.
Next week’s episode will feature an interview with Tyler Braun, author of Why Holiness Matters. We discuss habits of holiness and how to develop them.
One final thing.
You may have heard already that my friend and coauthor Erick Erickson has been battling some significant, life-threatening health issues the last several weeks that came to a head the last few days. You can read more about them here.
Please pray for his speedy recovery and for his family. I’ll shoot you a brief email later this week about the special bonus package for our book You Will Be Made to Care that we assembled prior to his illness.
Thank you for joining me on the journey and I’ll see you out on the trail.
Ok. I admit it. I’m a liar. Or am I? Funny thing about liars. No one believes them even when they do tell the truth. Which I am doing right now. I think.
If only I could be authentic and stop lying — to myself.
Here’s my problem. I am quite conscientious about speaking the truth to others–to you, for example. I’d put up with a lot of hurt to speak the truth to you. That’s not the problem.
It’s when I talk to myself–inside, where no one else can hear – that I struggle to speak the truth. I am all about being authentic with others, but I struggle being authentic with myself.
Weird, I know. But maybe you feel the same way.
How many times has it happened to you? You know you should read the Bible but you just don’t know how best to do it. Been there, done that.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Android | Google Podcasts | RSS
If you are reading this post in email, click here now to visit FaithWalkers and listen online.
Over the many years of coaching Christians to engage the word, I developed a simple acrostic as a framework anyone can use.
I encountered some verses in Psalm 16 this morning that got my attention for they seemed to ask me: “Do you always start the day with God before you?”
I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope…. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (8,9,11)
When I asked myself that question, I confess that I didn’t like the awkward silence that followed. All too often I feel as if I am out in front, taking the lead and hoping that God can keep up. It’s silly, I know, but maybe you do the same thing from time to time?
What does Easter have to do with living an authentic life? Hint: It has nothing to do with jellybeans. Answer: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only reason I would ever want to live an authentic life.
Authentic means real, genuine, true to reality. We hear a lot these days about people who allegedly discover their authentic selves. And we are then expected to celebrate that discovery. But the truth is that our authentic selves are not to be celebrated as is.
When you’re thinking about stepping out in a new life direction, you should get advice. But be careful whom you ask for input. Not everyone is qualified to give you guidance about stepping out by faith.
I mention the need to get wise and experienced counsel in Episode 10 of The FaithWalker’s Podcast.
There may be voices in our life that we respect, but if they have never attempted to do what we are contemplating, we should take their input with a grain of salt.
We worship what we fear. If it’s God, that’s a good thing. He should be feared. He’s God. But my own journey to find my calling forced me to ask myself a question that may be helpful for you. Do you worship your next paycheck?
One of the biggest challenges to stepping out in a new life direction is money. I’m going to unpack some strategies and insights about that challenge in the coming weeks.
Let’s start by thinking about this statement: “I don’t know where my next paycheck is coming from.”
Does it strike fear into your soul? Pity? Or joy at the possibility of amazing opportunity?
Finding your life direction requires figuring out your strengths. I shared about how I discovered my strengths in this post. But for the Christian seeking to live an authentic life, it will take more than an awareness of strengths to find God’s best for your life.
It will take a Kingdom awareness.
Our strengths reside where our passions and talents unite. So if we devote the bulk of our time to doing things where those two intersect, we will be more productive and more fulfilled.
Why? Because we are doing the kinds of things God wired us to do.
You do not need to be a Christ-follower for this to be true.
But the disciples of Jesus should desire more. Jesus calls us to follow him ahead of career ambitions, the love of money, or even family ties. Our life direction priorities must align with His Kingdom priorities.
What are you good at? Isn’t that the classic question people ask you when you’re trying to figure out your life direction? It’s not a bad question, but it’s not enough. We need to start by figuring out our strengths.
It took me five years to figure out my strengths. It doesn’t have to take you that long.
I worked it in between running a school, getting my MBA, and engaging a family of five or six–however many kids we had at the time. I didn’t get intentional about it, partly because I didn’t get to it until later in life.
Claim your FREE copy of my eBook What God Wants You to Do Next: 7 Questions to Discover God's Best for Your life
— and —
Get the latests posts from FaithWalkers to help you live an authentic Christian life of abundant faith.
