During a lunch conversation today, the topic of motivational speakers came up. We agreed that speakers at conferences, seminars, etc. can leave us feeling like personal failures – like we should’ve accomplished more by our age, should have better ideas, should work harder, etc.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I work hard. I try to be excellent in the things that I do as an act of worship to God. However, I also believe that there is a time to embrace the meaty part of the bell curve. That big bulging center is there for a reason – because that’s where the vast majority of us exist. The fact of the matter is that most of us are not going to be the best-of-the-best. Most of us are not going to actually change the world or strongly impact our culture.
If no one has told you yet, let me be the first to say it…that’s OK!
I’ve witnessed hundreds of kids investing thousands of dollars and hours into their sport or their art. Nearly all of them graduate high school and leave it all behind. I’ve seen adults shell out millions of dollars to be motivated, trained, and inspired. Nearly all of them end up about where they were before.
Maybe we should spend less time worrying about why we’re not more, better, smarter, richer, etc. and spend our time embracing the life God has called us to. Enjoy the people that make your life meaningful. Find significance in the way that God is using you right now and allow yourself to see that it is important to the Kingdom, even if no one is writing books about it. Understand that where you are right now is God’s gift to you also – life is not just about the future. The real action is in the now.
God rarely uses the best-of-the-best to do the really important things anyway. He’s all about the dark-horse; the underdog; the anonymous. If God needs you to change the world, it’ll happen. It won’ t be because you patterned your life after a motivational speaker, but because you patterned your life after the simple, contented way of Jesus and his followers.
I’m afraid that many of us waste the best of our resources and focus on trying to be something that we never will be instead glorifying God with who we already are.
Embrace the life God’s given you.
Embrace the normal.
Thanks Adam.
“Most of us are not going to actually change the world or strongly impact our culture.”
Hmm, I don’t think God calls us to be “normal” and lead chill, relaxed lives. I believe that are Christians are called to a higher standard because we’ve given so much more that the World does not have. Not that they can’t have, they choose not to have. God forgives sin, yes, but I don’t think he wants to embrace “normal”, which as we both know, is an extremely subjective term.
John 9:4 [And Jesus said] We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (the world), let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
2 Thessalonians 3:8
Nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Other than your distaste for the word “normal” and whatever connotations you find unbiblical, I agree completely! Thanks for reading!
“Embrace the normal?” “Most of us are not going to actually change the world or strongly impact our culture.” That doesn’t sound like something the scriptures would be cool with?
John 9:4
[And Jesus said] As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”
Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Ephesians 6:7 As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. ;Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
As I stated, I’m fully committed to working hard and becoming all that God intends for us to be. Removing ourselves from the pressures of thinking we must gain/achieve/accomplish something based on the standards of those around us is a different matter (and the one I was addressing). Curious – where in Oregon are you from, Steve? Thanks for reading!
I never don’t need to hear this.
“Understand that where you are right now is God’s gift to you also – life is not just about the future.”