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Defining What Matters
by RobertLincoln Hancock C.S Lewis, a world class novelist and thinker said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain; it is His megaphone that rouses a deaf world." In a culture and world gone wild I often wonder what it will take for the "deaf" to hear. As a fish likes what's on the hook, we have no idea what is to come but feel more and more uncertain and aware of the fragility of life. Yes, we are suckers for the "bait" and get caught up in the culture values vacuum swirling around us. Ironically we change our ways, not when we see the light, but more often when we feel the "heat." There are no apps to assure success. In our quest for success, by whatever definition, we often confuse success and significance. Our work, or "success," is not what gives significance. Most of us fill our lives with our passions sometimes missing what matters most. What does it take to get in our grey matter what matters? We need help in defining wealth and what is enough. We need the accountability from true friends who care enough about our well-being to ask the tough questions we don't want to be asked, but need to be asked, in order to grow and see what really matters. We cannot look at the sun and see but by its light we can see everything and all life flows from its presence. Invite and welcome the tough love questions to be freed from the tyranny of tunnel vision to see the transcending view of what matters. One of my best friends, whom I shall call Dan, achieved "success" in wealth accumulation from hard work as a gifted entrepreneur. He was busy about his business building wealth, but subtly was losing sight of what matters most in his primary family relationships. Soon there was an affair discovered followed by his kneejerk reaction which was to cut and run. In his desperation, Dan did the right thing. He reached out to a few friends who had the moral courage to call him up short, not with their opinion, but with the authority of some timeless proven Biblical principles that saved a marriage and brought healing to his entire family. They now have a future and without the indelible brokenness to forever haunt their lives. Today Dan has a new definition of success. He is finding his significance in a transcending personal relationship with God and his family. His legacy will follow him long after he is gone. He is seeing the benefits of right relationships in multiplied blessing because he had the courage to do the right thing. His story will bring light to thousands. He now has his compass, his GPS (God positioning system), aligned with a greater sense of purpose with his significance being beyond his work and wealth. He listened to God's megaphone wake up call. Too often we define ourselves and our self-worth by what we do or have. Our identity is intricately linked to our chosen activity, performance and possessions. Unfortunately this is a disconnect pseudo substitute for our designed higher purpose. Unintentionally we rob God, ourselves and others in this distorted cultural values view. The great artist Picasso fell into the trap of his work being his significance and satisfaction. He told his friend, "I cease being a man when I stop doing what I do. I have only one thought work." His gift and work was his satisfaction, but paradoxically left him dissatisfied. Even his family and friends could not help him to relax and enjoy life and relationships beyond his work. What matters when we lose our job or our health? Do we lose our sense of identity and worth? Welcome the teachable moments and hear God's megaphone shout amidst all the filler in your life. Not one of us picked our place of birth, nor do we control the variables that shape our world. Who you are and who you are becoming is what matters, not what you do. The satisfaction that comes from right relationships determines your significance. Your value and worth was assigned by God from the beginning of time. Like produces like. Your enlightened success definition will bring many followers to multiply a legacy that matters. Listen to God's megaphone and welcome those teachable moments that can guide you to Truth (His Son, Jesus the Christ) who frees you to be all God made you to be. Discover what endures when all else fades away. Live the legacy that will stand the burn test and guide you in your value sorting. His invitation awaits you. "Come unto me all you who labor and I will give you rest" by Robert Lincoln Hancock Robert Lincoln "Bud" Hancock is the author of Designed for a Purpose (1970) www.DesignedForAPurpose.org. His education degrees are: Bachelor of Science from California State University and Masters Degree from University of California. He served as White House Reagan Administration as a SES appointee Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |