Now… BEGIN
Several people commented on one of last week’s messages to the affect that change, especially significant life change is NOT easy. I agree and that is why I say it is simple (”just choose”) but not at all easy. Nothing truly worthwhile is ever easy. I commented on the affects our “stories” have on our lives and how they literally become our lives. God grants us choice, free will, to choose new and more healthy stories but while choice is freely available most people will not alter their stories until they get clear on both the “payoffs” and the “costs”. “Payoffs” are the sometimes visible, sometimes hidden benefits a person receives for staying “stuck”. Some popular examples of “payoffs” are: being right (the big Kahuna of payoffs), looking good, financial security, domination/avoiding domination and even being a victim which often includes more than one of the above. Once we have our payoffs, most of us ignore or pretend there is no cost but they can be severe as we lose overall effectiveness, personal happiness, mental, spiritual and even physical well being. Marriages, families, churches and companies have crumbled; people have died; all behind the cause of being “right”. Women and men will allow relationships to become lifeless and even destructive to reap some payoff in their quest to be “right” or to be considered for martyrdom. To the many of you out there facing difficult, life altering, choices - my heart, my tears and my prayers are with you and your families and still I ask that you look at what your choices (and not choosing is a choice) are costing you in your life? Romans 8:31-33 No one ever said life is easy. God is in your corner and He patiently waits for His sons and daughters to choose to shine. Nothing will happen in the “future”. It will happen “now”. Romans 8:18-19 As my friend , coach, writer, actor, mom extraordinaire and all around amazing human being, Julie Jordan Scott, of 5Passions.Com would say: “Your life! Claim it! Now Begin!â€
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.”
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.”