The why behind the what!
It`s been a while since the thought first swept through my mind about starting a blog. There were several reasons not to do so, such as “I`m not good at writing, especially in my second language, English“ or “I don`t have time as I am studying at an International Leadership College in Sydney“. But, the more I thought about my dream, the more I saw that it was important to do something, even though it’s not yet my full dream, blogging all day and everyday, it’s a small step towards that dream.
Side note to my dream: I have a passion to preach, to be a “motivational preacher“. Slow down, it might sound very professional but it’s nothing other than preaching the Gospel, and encouraging and motivating people to get more out of their life, no matter what their circumstances, struggles and situations are. This is something that I have had to learn, and am still learning, as I live with a complicated chronic illness for almost 26 years.
Two weeks ago, on a beautiful Saturday (if you don`t know me that well, I love sitting in a nice coffee shop or reasturant with a view of the ocean, whilst talking about life with a good friend) I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my best friend, Richard Gort. He is more than a friend to me, he is kind of a good looking mentor for me J We talked for 3-4 hours, mostly about my dreams and how I can achieve them. I had no idea what this afternoon would bring to me and I had to make a radical change in my life in regards to having more FOCUS in life!
Focus Part 1
I want to share three thoughts with you from what I have learned about focus in my life, especially from the last couple of months. I hope this encourages and helps you in your practical steps. These points are biblically based on the story in Luke 10:38-42, and I recommend that you study the passage in full.
1. Being focussed means to set priorities
Priorities in life are very very important! We live in a culture where everyone can do everything, as long as you have the will! (Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength). It’s a blessed thing but it also can curse your dream if we are not careful! For example, you have the passion to be an architect, but your culture, your environment or your friends are strongly committed to developing their life which doesn`t help you in any way, so you need to prioritise your life again. Remember, you are automatically influenced by those around you, whether you like it or not! I’m not saying people are wrong or bad, but not everyone can be a part of your dreams. So, it’s important to ask yourself questions, such as,
“What do I want in my life?”
“Who can help me to get me to the dream?”
“What legacy can I leave?” or,
“What will it say on my gravestone?”.
The last question sounds a bit weird, BUT I believe that nobody wants to die with the attitude, “I should have done this instead of that”, “I haven`t enjoyed my life” or “I should have worked more in order to have more money, cars, houses etc?”. In Luke 11:40 it says: “But Martha was distracted with much serving“ and then later on she says:”Lord, do you not know that my sister has left me to serve alone?“ Focus means to prioritise and connect your tasks to your passion and dreams that were laid down in your heart by God when you were born. Your tasks should never be prioritised by what people want from you, but by God’s voice, that He whispers in you
2. Focus leads you to your dream
As talked about above, I believe that our deepest desires are for something that is higher and bigger than ourselves! This means there is something that is higher and bigger than we are. I believe that God has given us the ability to dream but He has also given us the responsibility for that dream! W
e are responsible for making the right choices, choosing the ways we want to be influenced and the right beliefs in order to get to our dreams. The Bible talks about a story in Matthew 25:14-30 where a Master (God) has given talents to three servants (Us) to look after. They were tasked with multiplying these talents so that there would be more in the end than in the beginning! If we don`t put our focus on our dreams, and how we can implement, develop and enlarge them, we end up with the same “amount“ of life as we were born. I’m talking here not about outward things such as money, fame etc. but about inward things that have an everlasting impact such as peace, joy, love, mercy etc. Choosing those everlasting “elements” starts here on Earth, and it will be the reward in the renewed world (Heaven) that is still to come!
In Luke 11:42 it says: “But one thing is needed. And Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.“ Your life is truly filled when you focus on the things inside, the things you do for a purpose, those that are connected with the good things God wants you to have.
3. Focus needs sacrifices
If you have focus that leads to your dream, you need to make short cuts and difficult decisions that lead to high prices of sacrifice. This means saying “NO” to the things you like, and the things you don’t like, if they are NOT connected to your dreams. Sometimes you need to leave your environment, friends and family. So, if you have a dream that is connected with God`s purpose, you basically need to sacrifice everything! In Luke 14:26 it says: “Anyone who comes to me and refuses to let go father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters – yes, even one`s own self can’t be my disciple“. So, if you want to reach your dreams, you need to make hard and painful decisions in order to keep your focus to get there! We as humans are easily attracted to freedom, but freedom always has a price! One of my favourite mottos is: “No pain, no gain!“. You can`t get anything by not investing anything and investing can be painful sometimes!
In Luke 11:40 when Martha says this: “Master, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?“, we can see that Martha didn`t like what Mary did. In another words, not everyone will like what you do with your life in order to get to the final destination, some will even be against you, but the Bible says in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” If God has set a dream inside of you, He will be for you, and the greatest thing is: If God is for you, nothing or nobody can be against you!
I want to challenge you with these three questions:
What do you want in life?
– You need to know what your dream or passion is!
What would you like to focus on today?
–It starts today, small steps are the beginning!
How committed are you in reaching your dream?
-From nothing comes nothing!
I hope this helps and encourages you! I’m praying that you are filled with God`s wisdom, guidance, mercy and love! Remember, it`s never to late to start something new, but you have to make the choice(s) today! If you need any help in regards to FOCUS, I would like to help you in any way I can!
With love and blessings
Nathanael