The Store
Have you ever experienced the pain of knowing that somebody got something or did something that you really wanted to get or do, before you did?
On my journey of being chronically ill, I`ve had many situations in which people could do something or have got something that I really wanted, but because of my limitations I often couldn`t get it or do it!
Let me give you an example. When I was a child, it was common for almost half the population of my town to go on holiday in the month of May. Back then it wasn’t really possible to travel as a Dialysis patient, so my family couldn`t go on holiday.
People loved those 2 weeks, enjoying their holidays on a beach somewhere – just as much as would I have loved to be on holiday in the first place!
We sometimes think life is pretty unfair because we don`t get or can`t do what others have or can do. We often only see what others have/can do without realising that we too have things others don`t have.
In this blog I want to write to you about the idea of “The Store”. Maybe you have already heard the phrase: “There is much more in store for you!”
Often we think we need something right now but in reality, it`s a want not a need! We naturally only focus on the “now” and not on the future that God has in store for us!
If you`re not familiar with the Bible, church or you haven`t heard the story before, in Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells his disciple a story about a boss who gave 3 of his workers 3 different amounts of money according to their talents and abilities. The boss’ expectation was that all three workers would multiply their given amount. After a while, the boss collected the money. The first two did a pretty great job in multiplying what they had been given. The third worker however gave back the amount he had originally received.
When it comes to our lives, God gives us talents, attributes, gifts and blessings according to our abilities. At first sight it might seem unfair when people have/can do more than we think they can, but God knows exactly what we need in the moment and how much we can handle. He is a God who is generous and He wants to give what we need and not what we want. Because He already knows how much we can deal with the things He would give us!
In the next two points I want to encourage you by sharing how I’ve dealt with this and shifted from an “It’s not fair” to an “It’s good” mind-set!
1. Focus on what you have
We quickly tend to compare ourselves with others. But comparison never leads to full satisfaction! When we compare, there is always something that others have that we don`t. Once we’ve noticed we can slip into self-pity. If we arrive there, we won`t have any courage, motivation or ideas to take risks and do something with what has been given to us!
During the years I couldn`t go on holiday I started to dream big! A simple start that sometimes requires a lot of self-discipline! I started to dream not just about going on holiday, but also about travelling round the world! One of my biggest dreams was to travel to Australia. Even though it seemed impossible to me at the time, I nailed some pictures of Australia on my wall and started to focus on them.
Colossians 3:2 says: “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” (MSG)
In other words, if we start to focus on God, who is able to do the impossible, it doesn`t matter what we have or don’t have right now. We can simply be grateful for whatever we have been given by God!
2. Believe in what you can do
In the story, we can see that the third person had the same opportunities as the other two. However, we could imagine that he feared his boss so much that fear and insecurity overtook his actions. In another words, he had a completely wrong attitude towards his boss. If we have the right attitude towards what we can do, towards the people around us, or about the situation we are facing, there is a good chance of us walking into what God has in store for us!
Denis Waitley says: “The winner`s edge is not in a gifted birth, a high IQ or in talent The winner`s edge is all in the attitude not aptitude.”1
We all can do something that others can`t do! I was gifted with the ability to dream big in difficult situations. It will probably be something else for you! I haven`t stopped dreaming or being faithful with this gift over the years. Dreaming is sometimes simple, but taking the little small steps in between things happening, and being loyal when things do not happen quickly, requires a lot of patience.
The more we are loyal towards God in the small things that He has entrusted us with, the more He will be faithful towards us and give us even more than we can imagine!
In v. 21 and v.23 the boss replied to both who were faithful ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (NIV)
Today, I can tell you, that after having been loyal to just a glimpse of a dream for many years, I actually came to Australia in 2010 the very first time for a two months trip. I went back home to Switzerland and two years later I came back to Australia in order to start a Leadership College! I’m still here, and today I`m running my own inspiritaional ministry that gives me the opportunity to speak in different locations and nations! Not once did I dream of living and working in Australia, nor did I think that a shy boy like me could become a public speaker that inspires others to do the impossible!
I hope this blog has inspired and challenged you to see what God has in store for you! With a God who loves us, who is for us and wants to give the best to us, there is immeasurably more for us in the future than we ever can imagine! And I promise you, when you allow God to the big things, your glorious days are yet to come!
If you need any particular help in this topic, please let me know. I would love to help you in whatever ways I can!
God Bless
Nathanael
#TheStore
#Blog9
#ItsallaboutHim
Reference:
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John C. Maxwell, JumpStart Your Priorities – Day 1, page 8