If you read the Back 9 journal, you know how passionate I am about reading. It has become one of my favorite pastimes and has increased my learning tenfold. I have realized that I have access to some of the wisest, most successful people in history just by reading their books. One of the recurring themes I have learned, and really knew because my parents taught it to me, is this simple concept: “You attract what you are!”
Recently while reading several great books, I found 2 of the 3 made some of the same points and observations. I didn’t realize this would be the case when I purchased them. Funny how God orchestrates such things. One is written by a Ph.D. who took the time to write a book because she saw a need. She was overwhelmed by the number of people in their mid-30’s and 40’s who were sitting in her office for counseling because of a disappointment and sadness over how their lives seemed to be a mess. They experienced disappointment because many of their friends from college were experiencing success in their relationships, had families and were successful in finding meaningful careers.
She documented that an overwhelming number of people who ended up in her office….NEVER GREW UP. They didn’t value their 20’s and failed to realize that the decisions they made in their 20’s truly affected the outcome of their 30’s and, for sure, their 40’s. They refused to see that the 20-something years were of value. Every decision builds on another. I describe it as: “all shots add up to be the sum total of your life”.
They failed to examine the score card of their life on hole 4 to see if they needed a “grip change!” They never stopped to consider that if they continued partying in their 20’s and lived for the weekends, traveling…to experience the next good time…they would end up with no roots, no meaningful relationships, and feeling trapped in a meaningless life.
If you are reading this….examine what you are “gripping”. What are you valuing that is of NO VALUE long term? Life is not all about the next good time. The 20’s are really for increasing your knowledge, wise relationships, working extremely hard and becoming the person you want to attract in a relationship, “getting after it and taking responsibility for your life”.
If you want to marry someone with morals…you have to have them.
If you want to marry a hard worker…with dreams, goals and plans….you have to have them.
If you want to marry someone who loves the Lord and puts Him first…seeking guidance from Him, then you have to do it.
Plain and simple……YOU WILL ATTRACT WHAT YOU ARE!
Proverbs 4:13-15, “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.”
If you spend most of your time in an environment that lends itself to heavy partying, then that is what you will attract. What do you think you get if:
you work hard in a job, bettering yourself with seminars and more formal education?
you value small groups and discipleship and mentorship?
you involve yourself in church?
you give back to others without looking for anything in return?
you invest in the community where you are living?
you go to the gym and take care of yourself (valuing the only body you have), realizing you pay now or pay later?
Do we truly understand…there is No Plan B? The life you are living is Plan A…and you cannot turn back the clock on time spent.
What kind of life are you looking for? Are you even looking or are you just existing?……does TV, social media, a poor friend group, bad living environment, negative work place, or poor choices….have you by the throat?
Proverbs 25:26, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.”
Understand, if you are reading this….YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN CHANGE THINGS!
You have to take responsibility for your life. You have to understand: if you do the same thing you have always done, you get what you always get. YOU have to do more than decide…you have to turn…take action and make a change. Michael Jackson in his song, Man in the Mirror….says to look at yourself in the mirror and decide to make a change.
The great news is there is God. He can come into your life…and empower you to change one step at a time. But we have to do our part…we have to be willing to LOOK and see that first, there needs to be a change….and then take the steps to do it! Don’t wait until the wheels are completely off in your life to change.
Unfortunately, many people ignore the signs until…they find themselves in a dark place and seeking a counselor’s chair. (It’s good because at least they now have sought help.) This post is intended to be a wake-up call for people headed down the wrong road….a road that leads to dead ends….broken lives and unfulfilled dreams. To make a change…is difficult and you have to embrace the concept of “becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable in order to grow and change.” To let go…change what you are gripping or chasing….TO. WAKE. UP. AND. MAKE. A. CHANGE.
Jeremiah gave a similar warning in chapter 35, verse 15, “Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, ‘Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.’ But you have not paid attention or listened to me.” Are we listening today?
God is in the transforming business. A day to Him is like a thousand years to us….He is an infinite God with infinite power to do amazing things…WE have to RUN TO HIM…SEEK HIM with all of our heart…and allow HIM to orchestrate the change. GRIP GOD…..and HOLD ON….for the SUPERNATURAL!