So you think you might know what your purpose is, what you were called to do? Then what.
How do you confirm it? And defend it against all the same issues that plagued you before?
For me, the key was to rebuild my relationship with God.
If your faith is strong and you’re comfortable talking about it, then the next few paragraphs might seem a little routine. But if you’re like me and you really don’t know what “having a relationship with God” means, it’s okay. I remember the feeling: buying a Bible, opening it, and not having a clue where to begin. Or making time for prayer and feeling very awkward. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it means one of the most exciting times of your life is right around the corner. So, relax and just take it step by step.
First, you need to find a church home. You need the weekly worship, message, and positive networking. Be sure to find a church that fits your style preference. As long as they’re preaching from the Bible, don’t worry about the label. And one’s not better than another; it’s about where you feel most comfortable, about removing one more obstacle for that Sunday morning when you really don’t feel like getting out of bed. If you grew up in church, a more traditional service might be perfect for you. If you’ve never really been to church, then a more unconventional approach might be a better fit. Ask your friends. Visit a few. Search online for churches in your area. Check out their websites. Watch videos online or on your local tv stations on Sunday morning. Spend some time making a good choice. Try it out, and once you’re committed, stick with it.
Second, you need to jump into God’s word. That means you need to read your Bible. Be sure to get one that’s written in a manner that makes sense to you. I prefer the New International Version (NIV), and I know folks that really like the New Living Translation (NLT) or the Message (MSG). You can get one that’s labeled as a “Study Bible,” which means that it adds lots of explanatory and background information along the way. You have lots of options. You can use a one-year reading plan. (I started this chronological plan this year, and it is working great for me. It finally makes sense!) You can look in the index for topics that interest you and start that way. Originally, I started with Proverbs. There’s 31, and I read one every day – still do. The key is to just get started and continue every day.
Third, you need to pray. I’ll admit this was the scariest step for me. I simply didn’t know how, and it’s still not something I consider myself very good at. But I can’t stop there, and neither can you. It’s too important. My pastor shared a technique a few years ago that has really helped me. Get a simple spiral notebook and start a prayer journal. You can use the acronym ACT to guide you. Make notes as you go. A is for addressing God, just getting started. C is for confessing. You don’t have to use any special sayings or phrases, just recognize areas where you have come up short. T is for thanks. Thank God for all that you already have. Make time to do this each day, and keep your notebook so you can reflect back. You’ll be surprised with how quickly you develop in this area.
And finally, you’ve got to surround yourself with positive influences and limit the negativity. For me, this means I have to be very careful with what I allow myself to watch on tv or at the movies. It influences me too much and gets me off track very easily. I tune my radio to a KLOVE station, follow positive leaders on Twitter, subscribe to healthy, encouraging blogs, and do all I can to provide positive reinforcement for myself. You might consider the many inputs you process each day, turning the volume up on some and muting others.
Hope and fear both come from imagination. Are you feeding your hopes or your fears?
Follow Us!
