Did you ever read the choose your own adventure books growing up? In them, the storyline led to a climax of sorts, and then you chose one of two responses to the situation and turned to the appropriate page to see how it all played out.
Often these responses led to more decisions, and the story seemed to take shape right before your very eyes. I found those books fascinating. I would go back and read where alternative decisions took you in the adventure.
To a certain degree, our everyday lives are adventures, waiting to be chosen. Decisions lead to new adventures and the process goes on and on. What are you choosing? What kind of adventure do you want to be on?
Live With Purpose
First and foremost, we must determine the purpose God has for us to fill He on earth. He has a mission specifically for each of us and it is our Christian duty to discover what it is and work in it and on it.
Sometimes that seems to be easier said than done. So let’s switch things around a bit. Instead of desperately searching for what God needs you to do, look at what is right in front of you. Where does He have you? What needs to be done that you can help with? Sometimes the best way to serve God is in the minute details that we want to overlook.
Do you know, for years I helped with a large grocery run – sometimes biweekly – for my family? It required multiple stops, budgeting, large quantities, took the greater part of the day, etc. It is not because that was what I dreamed of doing, but rather something that needed to be done and I was capable of helping! There will be opportunities like this in your life.
Ask God what He needs you to do, and then surrender your expectations and step up to do what He calls you to do with a genuinely great attitude! Somehow I rather think that it is easier to do the seemingly more important tasks with a great attitude. But the smaller tasks that are less heroic, those are the ones where I really have to work to shine, because we are to do all our work as unto the Lord!
Determine Your Dream
Even if you find yourself in between “grocery runs” like I did years ago, keep asking, seeking, and knocking at opportunities as to what work God has for you to do. I really believe as His people, He has specific purposes for each of us and it is our duty – and opportunity – to really discover what that is. And as we work towards and achieve one piece of the puzzle to stretch and seek the next piece.
God is limitless, so I really believe our dreams can be too! And that thrills me to no end! Just because we accomplish a major milestone, doesn’t mean we quit. But rather, use it as stepping stone of faith and confidence that God will help us in accomplishing what’s next!
I can’t help but think that not everything comes together as the result of dreams dreamed. Some, yes, for sure. But not all. I dreamed and hoped and prayed for a storefront for my clothing. And it came together in just under a year of when I seriously started pursuing it. I ran in to some major deterrents along the way, but I stayed on the path and with help from my family and God, it came together!
Other opportunities I didn’t initially want to pursue, they weren’t my dream, and yet I found myself in the thick of them. But I mean it when I say I sincerely feel led by God, so I am determined to give it my all and hit it out of the park!
All that to say, surrender is important. Praying, asking for direction, looking for opportunities, and ultimately following God’s lead. The purpose of the Christian isn’t to let God know what we need, but rather to listen and understand what God needs from us, and then pursue it with all our might.
Choose Your Own Adventure
So when I say choose your own adventure, what do I mean? I really believe God gives His people a glimpse of what He has for them. An inkling, a dream, an idea. True, there will be plenty of curveballs and surprises along the way – life would be boring if there weren’t, where’s your sense of adventure?!
As God gives you a glimpse, pursue it! Stay in submission to Him, but knock on doors and see where it leads! If we will work to keep our relationship with God close, He will guide us every step of the way. Perhaps through Scripture, through words of a friend, through a random book or something you read. Look for God’s direction and you will be sure to find it! And as you get off course through distractions, course correct.
We can be totally confident that God is capable of leading us where He needs us if we will keep our eyes on Him. Stagnant Christians that play it safe and don’t live boldly strike me as the servant who hid his talents so nothing was lost. I want to use my talents wisely so I can be of the best service to God!
So that hint of a dream that has been blooming in the back of your mind or on your “someday” list. Go ahead and pray and look into it and see where it leads. We are never too old to dream and pursue new things.
This is your one life and as long as you keep your focus on God, you have the ability – dare I say, the responsibility – to choose your own adventure!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/