We live in a world of instant gratification, where it’s often thought that the “grass is always greener” somewhere else. If only this would happen or that would happen, it would all be different and better….so many believe.
Do you ever think this way? Do you believe that if you changed jobs that your work issues would all be resolved? Would a different Church change your faith life? Or would a different group of friends add more harmony to your life? Would these things create the peace, joy, and fulfillment you’re looking for?
The fact is…no matter where we go, there we are.
Good Lesson To Be Learned
I remember a story I heard years ago, where a man stopped to fill his car with gas in the new town he moved into, asking the attendant…and the attendant responding:
- Man – What are the people like here?
- Attendant – What were the people like in your old town?
- Man – What are the Churches like here?
- Attendant – What were the Churches like in your old town?
- Man – What are the restaurants like here?
- Attendant – What were the restaurants like in your old town?
Get the point? We create our own reality.
What Doesn’t Work
The secular world tells us that we need things to make us happy. I refer to them as the 4 Ps, prominence, possessions, pleasure, and people….all external factors. The fact is that we can accumulate as many of these things (or change them as often) as we want…and they won’t bring us happiness. As I’ve learned in my life, you can never have too much of what you really don’t need. Think about it.
True change doesn’t occur by only addressing the external, but through the changes we make internal to ourselves. Changing jobs won’t do it. Changing Churches or friends won’t do it. Only changing yourself is going to produce the life you really want.
How Do You Do That?
Like you, I can only speak from my experience. What I know is that the only way I started (and continue) to live a life of peace, joy, and fulfilment was to invite Jesus into my life. I first did so in realizing that life would be better with Him in it than not, then turning towards Him and away from myself. That’s when conversion begins to happen, followed by healing.
Too long to detail in this blog, I’d be happy to provide you with more information. Shoot me a note and I can provide you with resources or we can even talk by phone. I’m happy to help you on your journey.
God Made You for Greatness
In the meantime, know and believe this…
- God loves you more than you’ll ever know, no matter what you’ve ever done
- God made you for greatness (as indicated throughout Scripture)
- In His image and likeness
- For a specific purpose
- With special talents and gifts
- All according to His grand plan.
Understand, internalize, and execute the above…and you will have peace, joy, and fulfillment. You will do great things.
The truth is…no matter where you go, there you are. Be the change you want…start with you. Then, independent of substance or circumstance, nothing will bring you down. You’ll excel in a way that you never thought possible.
Please comment to me at Mark@MarkJosephMinistries.com.
God Bless you on your Path to Peace, Joy, and Fulfillment!!!