Be ALL That You Can Be

Living 'small' doesn't do you - or anyone else for that matter - any good in the long run. Let me clarify. I have been thinking about living life to its greatest potential and embracing the fullness of life God has intended for me to live from the beginning. He's given me, and everybody else, some unique characteristics and talents that He knew, when used well and faithfully, would benefit more than just ourselves. Obviously motive makes a big difference and we could devote an entire blog to motives but I don't want to get sidetracked so let's just assume our motive is love - for God, ourselves and others. It can't get better than that. If I'm motivated by love, then desiring to bless other people with my life and the good things I experience or possess is a natural outflow of this.

Aristotle said "Where talents and the needs of the world cross, therein lies your vocation." I like that. One of the main lessons I'm learning is that there is tremendous power in just 'being me.' Of course, I become more comfortable in my own skin as I realize how valuable I am in God's eyes and from that underlying awareness of being loved, I not only feel greater peace internally, but I am able to walk in paths of peace in my daily living. Not all the time, but certainly a lot more than I used to.

Writing this blog is sometimes hard. Not because I dislike writing, but because I find it hard to put my experience into a few paragraphs. I've said this before and I'll say it again, "This is a journey for the individual and I can't walk it for you." I can, however, cheer you on and tell you that it's well worth letting go of whatever preconceived notions or mindsets you may be holding onto that are preventing you from living in an abiding sense of peace and an abundant life.

Anyway, back to my original point... I wanted to write this post about avoiding 'small' living. In other words, staying in a place that is less than 'full capacity,' whether due to fear or culture or whatever. I'm not condemning the process of growth from smaller to bigger that we all must travel to get somewhere. I'm saying "Choose to be the BEST you can be rather than settling for the GOOD." This choice is incredibly exciting, but can be scary as well because not many people walk this road (after all, there is safety in numbers and we don't like to 'stand out') so the path can be lonely. I do believe it's worth it, though. It takes courage and guts because you are unique and your talents are unique so following your heart will take you on a unique journey for you and God. New heights, new adventures, new challenges, new discoveries.

I struggle internally when I hear people say "I don't need much to live on. Just as long as there's enough for me and my family to live, then I'm happy." Sometimes I want to shake them and say, "You selfish thing! What about the rest of the people in the world that could benefit from your increased success? If you don't need much to live on, then take what you need and succeed for the sake of others who don't have enough. Succeed for those who don't know how yet!" Narrow minded, small living pisses me off and I'm not going to do it anymore and I'll tell anyone who will listen not to settle for that lie either. I'm not saying live beyond your means or stress out about what you don't have. I'm saying take what you have in your hand and watch it multiply as you are faithful with what you have RIGHT NOW! This may be in the form of financial, intellectual, emotional, or physical talents. This isn't just about money. Let's commit to using what we have and seeing it increase to meet the needs of those we encounter. Jesus took what He had with the loaves and fishes and it was more than enough. What you have now is more than enough. Who are you to say you're nothing? Dare to live in all God has called you to. Dare to live BIG and watch the big God we have living on the inside of us multiply our resources for sowing and increase the fruit of our righteousness and rejoice in the cries of thanksgiving that will rise to Him from the lives we touch as a result.

That's all.