When you decide to ‘go for it’ you jump, fall then land. What do you do next? Or does it just end there for you? Unfortunately, too many “Christians” are obsessive-compulsive about the end times and don’t deliver when it comes to today. Wake up! Apocalypse for some is right now. Want proof?
A television report recently featured a husband and wife in Iowa who had their home obliterated by a tornado. Then just a few weeks later floodwaters destroyed their modest attempt to recover. For a second time they were homeless. Now with nothing, financially broke and exhausted on every level they were asked by the reporter, “Will you start over?” After a long pause the husband replied, “What else can we do?”
The utter devastation was powerfully eclipsed by the hope deep in this man’s spirit. That hope creates ultimate success. It is a success that defines both faith and fitness.
Expand your definition of fitness. Be ROBUST. Be characterized by your firmness, determination and refusal to make concessions. Be able to recover from the unexpected. What makes those gold medals at the Olympics so special? Certainly they represent a rare pinnacle of achievement. But gold, pure gold, symbolizes refinement. It is a beautiful metal wrought from ore that has gone through a hot fire. It is a fire that separates the undesirable from that which is precious. It transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary and makes life robust.
Expand your definition of faith. Be COMMITTED. Demonstrate singular devotion over a long period of time. Soren Kierkegaard explored a simple yet profound truth found in human existence – purity of heart is to will one thing. This is where success begins. It is not enough just to find the ONE THING in life. You have to WILL for only it and live your life committed.
How do you get to the place where you can achieve success? I’m talking about a success that is defined exclusively for you. Many people can’t find it until it is their last resort – the “one thing” that is the only option when all else fails. Others will, by some innate choice, wake each morning and move forward by faith. While the “how” takes many paths, one thing is certain – we can see success.
In his book, Wide Awake, Erwin Raphael McManus helps us see the difference between being awake and being wide awake. It is the recognition that God is very active in your life and then to actively live that life. He says, “Living wide awake is about realizing that the world needs you to live up to your potential. There are others whose lives and future depend on your stepping up and living big. The better world you keep waiting for needs you to accept your life’s calling and responsibility, and then create it. The future needs you to dream God-sized dreams; these are the only kind God gets involved in.”
My God-sized dream is taking a big leap of faith as my family and I are relocating. After more than four decades in Indiana I am making a move to fuel the vision for Lifestyle Media Group. We feel more robust and committed than ever before. Our ultimate success will be defined as we hold hands, run and eagerly leap into the perfect will of God. When it is time for you to overcome challenges and be an influence look to God to create your own success story.
Train strong in Christ,
-Brad Bloom
