A thought by Bob Goff, from his book, Dream Big (Kindle Locations 861-862). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
We do, don’t we?
Bob says, “The fix is a simpler, more intentional faith, not a busier or easier one. Complicated theology isn’t bad; Jesus just never said it was a prerequisite or qualification for the unschooled, ordinary people He invited to follow Him. Certainly, learn a ton about what you believe, but don’t be like the self-identified teachers who gave educated waves to Him. You don’t need a bunch of twenty-dollar words to couple your faith to your ambitions. When your faith is anchored by the few things God said we should care about, it will be more than enough to keep you clear and focused on the road ahead.”
Bob continues, “Let’s say you clear the room of everything in your faith and ask yourself, ‘If I had to add one thing back to my life, what would it be?’ It sounds like one of those moments when you think you’re supposed to give a Sunday school answer and say, ‘Jesus?’ That’s usually a safe bet, but not always the most honest answer. But here, if I cleared the room of absolutely everything else, the first thing I would add back to my life is Jesus. Not all the trappings and manufactured religious rules and arguments that aren’t things Jesus spent His time on. In fact, I’d lose all the religious talk and complicated words that create distance between people rather than provide clarity and unity among them.
“The second thing I’d add back to my life is a pretty easy pick as well. I’d add my family and friends. We won’t travel far without the ones we’ve already traveled with. As you are pursuing your ambitions, don’t miss out on, or mess up with, your family and friends. Your greatest rewards in life will be found in the handful of people you have developed beautiful, loving, authentic, vulnerable relationships with. When Jesus met the first disciples fishing, He told them to push out a little deeper. They thought it was a stupid idea, but you know what? They did it anyway. Push out into deeper waters with your relationships. I know it can be hard. Do it anyway. You’ll find a kind of clarity about your ambitions in the deeper waters that you won’t in the shallows.”
He goes on, “The third thing I’d add would be the things that add joy, purpose, and fulfillment to my life. I’m not just talking about my vocation. For many of us, what we do for a career is how we make rent. It’s honorable to have a job and provide for the ones you love. The problem is that some of us spend so much time trying to provide for our families that we’re not providing for our families. What your family wants is you, not your earning potential. Get clear on the people, whimsy, and capers that have added the most meaning to your life and add these people and things back in. If you remember a time when you were engaged in meaningful, purposeful work and deeper, more authentic relationships but you no longer are, return to these things. Add them back to your life.”
He then says, “It turns out I only have a few things that make up the most important parts of my life. I bet the same is true for you. Don’t get distracted by people who insist on knowing your position on the thirteenth thing or something that isn’t even on your radar at all. Keep your eye on the ball. Darkness doesn’t need to destroy us; it only needs to distract us. If you want to get after your ambitions, don’t take the bait.”
So, let’s keep our eye on the ball, okay?
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