Okay, I’m in.
In for this blogging thing. For real this time. I need to.
I’ll admit that in the midst of building my investment business & launching some online products, I have neglected my relationship with Christ far more than He deserves. I’m not a workaholic, but it’s become difficult for me to idle the part of my brain that thinks business. It seems like it’s constantly thinking, creating, stretching.
But just like with your spouse, if you continually neglect your relationship with your Savior, you’re on a slippery slope toward destruction.
If you’ve known Christ for any length of time, you know where I’m coming from. I believe the #1 strategy the enemy uses to pull us away from Christ is busy-ness… making “obligations” of this life seem more important than time with Jesus.
And — contrary to popular Christian thought — the solution is not “making time” to spend with Christ.
As Christians we do this, don’t we? We think the solution is “I should be spending more time with Jesus, so tomorrow I’ll start setting aside 30 minutes in the morning to read a devotional & pray.”
Wrong. If you think this, you’re missing a step.
It’s our THOUGHTS that determine our actions that determine our results. If you want different results in any area of your life, it begins with radically different thinking.
Most people are too lazy to initiate change in their lives. And those who try often wrongly start at the action step.
If you want more money, the answer is not taking on a second job. That’s an action that creates a short term fix. Having more money starts with realizing that people who have more money THINK differently about money. Take the time to learn how Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Warren Buffett, and Solomon THINK about money. That will then determine the actions you take… and will ultimately give you radically different results that last beyond your lifetime.
Your walk with your Savior is the same. If you want a deeply passionate walk with Him, you have to change the way you think about Him.
With Christ, I believe the thinking we need to adopt is simply that time with Him is not time wasted. Few of us would accept that that’s how we view it, but in practice that’s how most of us live.
Take a minute to rank the major commitments in your life. If an outside consultant had access to your thoughts, words, and actions every day, how would she rank your priorities?
If I look at myself honestly, this is how mine would rank right now:
1. My Business
2. My Wife
3. My Family
4. My Church Family
5. Surfing/Free Time
6. Jesus Christ
7. Hawai`i
8. My Country
How screwed up is that list?! It’s hard to look at. Be transparent with yourself & do the same.
Thoughts => Actions => Results
The formula works in reverse as well.
Thoughts <= Actions <= Results
Our results ultimately reveal the way we think.
If my relationship with Christ sucks, it’s because my thinking about who He is sucks. The fact that Christ is #6 on my list reveals that, subconsciously, I believe time with him is time wasted. What a sad realization & a lack of faith on my part.
The thinking that I realized I need to adopt is the exact opposite. That time spent with Christ is the absolute BEST investment of my time I could possibly make. That, as I demonstrate my faith by giving him my time, I’ll be able to see my other commitments through HIS eyes.
I’ll be able to love my wife better.
He’ll remove stress & make business decisions easier.
I’ll see new ways to bless my family.
I’ll be able to minister to my church body more effectively.
And I’ll get all of the above done faster & better, leaving me more time to surf!
Different results begin in the mind… with a commitment to grow in wisdom, a willingness to explore other paradigms of thought, and an urgency to turn thoughts into action as soon as you discover a truer paradigm than the one you were previously living by.
The truest paradigm of walking with Jesus Christ is that time with him is time well spent. As we replace fear of not addressing other commitments with faith that He’ll provide, we’ll be living a blessable life. And our priorities will naturally correct themselves.
That’s why I’m making a commitment to this blog. It’s an action that I’ve chosen based on a passion & urgency to view my time differently.
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Posted in Faith | Comments (2)
Posted on April 6th, 2008
Excellent post. Some would say your thoughts are already changing just by the self-realization and self-reflection that you have enacted in this post. At the very least Step 1 is complete
Posted on April 8th, 2008
AMEN I am so glad I was sent to your blog by Cory Boatright. It is such a blessing to read the thoughts of other Christians who are in the business but are trying to put Christ first. I agree , we get busy and successful and our priorities get wacked. Thanks for being real and transparent. We all need accountability and your blog is a blessing.