Today I want to talk to you about being ready. Being ready for what, you ask? Well you will have to answer that question, I can't. But let me explain what I am thinking. Are you ready for the opportunities that cross your path. If you met that special someone, are you ready? If someone gave you the dream job of a lifetime, are you ready? If someone was going to send you to the college of your dreams, are you ready? Lastly, and most importantly, if you died tonight, are you ready?
See I think we spend way too much of our time complaining about our circumstances or pushing too hard to make things happen the way we want. We are so focused on us that we aren't ready for the great opportunities that God places in our life. Now let me say, that I don't believe that we should just sit around and wait for everything to fall in our laps. That's not smart. That's being lazy. I'm talking about being ready when something comes along.
Let me illustrate this with a story of mine. Sometimes God has divine appointments that you don't expect. If we aren't ready when they do, we can miss the whole opportunity. I go to Starbuck's at least once a day (please no comments about the actual number from my friends). For several month's there was a certain lady that I wanted to talk to but never did. This was primarily because I am a pretty shy guy most of the time. I like being around people and most who know me are very comfortable around me but talking to a total stranger is not something I normally do. Well, I always liked this girl's face because it looked so kind. (To the girl who I am talking about - I know you will read this and yes you have a very kind face. Turns out the personality matches the face. Don't even think about arguing with me on this point!) I saw her at Starbuck's for several weeks and never talked to her.
One day, I realized that I was never going to say anything to her because it really isn't in my nature to do this so I just forgot about it. Well, two days later, I walked into a restaurant by my apartment and saw a guy I knew. Guess who was sitting at the table with him? Did you figure it out? Yup, it was the girl from Starbucks. Over the last few months, we have become good friends. She is someone who's opinion I really value and she has really helped me through a tough time. I think I have been able to do the same for her. Just think, none of this would have happened if I hadn't walked into that restaurant that day. That connection was the Lord's way of saying to me, "I've got a million ways to bring people into your life," and it really blessed me to hear that from Him.
When I would see her, I thought about trying to break the ice and say hello but I never did. Then when I finally decided to let it go, things worked out on their own. Now this is about a friendship but it applies in all areas of our life. Where are you pushing hard to accomplish something. Where are you getting so worked up and stressed out? Is it possible that while you are trying to figure out how to make something happen in your life that you can't see God setting you up to bless you? Where are you so focused on someone who is a negative influence in your life that you can't see that amazing person who wants to be part of your life? Stop and look around.
While I try very much not to preach in these Opinions, I must ask this one thing. If you were do die tonight, are you ready? Well, you might say, "I go to church." That's not what I asked. You might say, "I'm a good person." Again, that's not what I asked. What I am asking you is have you ever met Jesus and made him Lord of your life. He is a very close personal friend of mine. He is a real person that you can touch. Guess what - No matter what you have done in this life, He deeply passionately loves you. As I write this, I am thinking about His love and it brings tears to my eyes. He's out to get you but not in a bad way. He wants to love on you. He wants to help you. He will never give up on you and never quit you. He knows your secrects and His love sees right past that to the inside of the Box He created. I am not asking you to join a church or become part of a denomination, I am asking you if you have met my Jesus. If the answer is no, would you please consider praying this simple prayer.
Just say, "Jesus, I ask you to come into my life. I ask you to be my friend and show me your love for me. I ask you to be my Lord and Savior."
If you prayed that prayer with your heart, you just became my brother or sister. Welcome to the family! Please let me hear from you. Knowing you made that decision will be the best thing I hear today.
If you didn't pray that prayer, know this that God loves you very much and because He first loved me, I can honestly say that I care about you too.
That's the Opinion of His Minion
Monday, August 8, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Minion Who Wasn't Good Enough
Today, I want to deal with something we all feel from time to time. What to do when I don't feel good enough. Have you ever felt that way? I normally don't. If you have read many of my blogs, I don't want you to get the wrong impression. I am a very confident guy. I really like myself and in a good way, I am proud of who I am. I am a good guy. I help my friends and family when I can and I have accomplished some pretty cool stuff. I went law school and graduated high in my class, passed the bar, lost 160 pounds one time, etc. Now I am not saying that to brag but I want you to know that I think well of me.
That said, there are times when I just don't feel like I am good enough. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like no matter what you did, it just wasn't enough. Have you ever wondered why people only notice the bad stuff you do and not the good stuff? I mean we all know those people. You know the ones. When you tell them you made a 95 on a test, they want to know why you didn't make a 100. Or how about the ones who always tell you what you should do to better yourself and never tell you the good things that you already do? If we aren't careful, this can cause us to feel inadequate. I know. I have felt that many times and even here recently. Now the good thing for me is that these feelings don't stay long. I know what I am worth because the Bible tells me so. I know that God thinks I am good enough. He sees the good things I do and he tells me how proud he is of me. Don't misunderstand this. I don't think God loves me because of what I do or don't do. He loves me because He is love. I can never earn God's love. That's why there is grace. He loves me just because.
In a similar way, I can never earn any one's love. If you are trying to earn some one's love or affection, quit. It won't work. They either love you for you or they don't. And if they don't, then stop wasting time trying to make them. See today, more and more, people are becoming lovers of themselves. That's a shame but it was bound to happen. What do I mean by that? More and more people are only concerned about themselves and what they want. When you find someone who actually cares about others, treasure them. They are becoming more and more rare. I have a friend like that. She is always doing nice things for me. Do you know what that makes me want to do? It makes me want to do nice things back. It's not because I want to "even the score." It's because her kindness makes me want to be kind.
So the question is am I good enough? Before I can answer that, let me ask another question - Good enough for what?
Am I good enough for people to respect, love and treat me right. The answer to that is absolutely, positively, unequivocally, without a doubt, YES. You are good enough just because you are. You deserve love and respect just because you are you. There is nothing that can increase or diminish that.
Are there times when I am not good enough to accomplish all that I want to? Sure. Remember I told you I wasn't a good football player. I wasn't good enough to start on the football team. What should you do if you try something and fail? Try again and again and again. Remember, if you get knocked down, get back up. Keep going. Sooner or later, you will accomplish your goals if you keep trying. I have always believed that I can do anything. Well, except maybe dunk a basketball. ;)
And that's the Opinion of the Minion
That said, there are times when I just don't feel like I am good enough. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like no matter what you did, it just wasn't enough. Have you ever wondered why people only notice the bad stuff you do and not the good stuff? I mean we all know those people. You know the ones. When you tell them you made a 95 on a test, they want to know why you didn't make a 100. Or how about the ones who always tell you what you should do to better yourself and never tell you the good things that you already do? If we aren't careful, this can cause us to feel inadequate. I know. I have felt that many times and even here recently. Now the good thing for me is that these feelings don't stay long. I know what I am worth because the Bible tells me so. I know that God thinks I am good enough. He sees the good things I do and he tells me how proud he is of me. Don't misunderstand this. I don't think God loves me because of what I do or don't do. He loves me because He is love. I can never earn God's love. That's why there is grace. He loves me just because.
In a similar way, I can never earn any one's love. If you are trying to earn some one's love or affection, quit. It won't work. They either love you for you or they don't. And if they don't, then stop wasting time trying to make them. See today, more and more, people are becoming lovers of themselves. That's a shame but it was bound to happen. What do I mean by that? More and more people are only concerned about themselves and what they want. When you find someone who actually cares about others, treasure them. They are becoming more and more rare. I have a friend like that. She is always doing nice things for me. Do you know what that makes me want to do? It makes me want to do nice things back. It's not because I want to "even the score." It's because her kindness makes me want to be kind.
So the question is am I good enough? Before I can answer that, let me ask another question - Good enough for what?
Am I good enough for people to respect, love and treat me right. The answer to that is absolutely, positively, unequivocally, without a doubt, YES. You are good enough just because you are. You deserve love and respect just because you are you. There is nothing that can increase or diminish that.
Are there times when I am not good enough to accomplish all that I want to? Sure. Remember I told you I wasn't a good football player. I wasn't good enough to start on the football team. What should you do if you try something and fail? Try again and again and again. Remember, if you get knocked down, get back up. Keep going. Sooner or later, you will accomplish your goals if you keep trying. I have always believed that I can do anything. Well, except maybe dunk a basketball. ;)
And that's the Opinion of the Minion
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