A question often asked. In a lot of cases, as we get older, the reply becomes, “Not much. Same old same old. Just another day. Oh, I don’t know. Nothing.”
Wow! As I write those words I’m sad to say often one of the above answers comes from my mouth.
If I look back at my youth, my response to that question could have overwhelmed the person who asked. I would have answered back with all sorts of options and dreams that lay ahead of me.
Is it just me, or do others find the answer to this question so often to just be “Not much.”? Please share your thoughts.
What I have come to find out is the people and environment I surround myself with have a big impact. When I was younger almost all of us entering adulthood had dreams and desires to become something more. I was immersed in an environment of people who had dreams and desires and were taking action to fulfill them. In our youthful exuberance, we encouraged others around us to dream and act on the bright future set in front of them. Goals to strive for, we cheered one another on.
At some point in my life, I found myself surrounded with victims. Now yes at some point in our lives we are all victims of things. However, we have a choice to then make. We can choose to stay victim, or we can decide to let go of it, look forward, and move on. That conscious choice moves us from victim to victor.
As I watch some of the Boston Marathon survivor’s stories, I’m amazed at how they have done just this. Were they victims? Yes! They were innocent victims of an indescribable act. What amazes me is their determination to move forward. They have decided to continue on, to work with what they have, and turn something bad into something good.
The stories are inspiring and uplifting.
My theory is most of the people who watched or run a marathon already possess the spirit of victor. They took on challenges and had a great group of like-minded people who look to achieve more in life. This probably played a key role in their ability to move forward. They also had even more people surround them with love and encouragement. They sought God for prayer. People all over the world gathered and prayed for them.
If you have a dream you feel is God-give, whether you are young or old, you can move towards it.
I have a dream. That dream is to use the work God has done in my life to overcome obesity and addiction and put it to good use. My dream is to help others out of the prison cell that these strongholds can keep us in. My dream is to be an encourager, not a dream crusher.
So, over the years, I have had to let go of the people and places that held me back. I started to look around me for those willing to reach out their hand to help me and encourage me. I sought those willing to pray for and with me. Along the way I tried to encourage those around me to come along. If unwilling and more comfortable staying right where they were, then I pray for them. But I must move onward and keep them in my prayers.
Some might say, “You left them.” In reality, they are not alone and never were. They have the same wonderful God I have. The same wonderful God that waits for them to raise up their hand and look to Him to pull them up. You too have this same God.
I can still remember the day when I was a victim of this world and finally heard God say, “Sam look to me…reach out your hand and take mine. Let me bring you to a new field a field that allows you to grow.”
It is in this new field all has changed and my dreams are becoming more fulfilled each day. And new dreams get attached to the already great dreams He has given me. I’m now a victor.
Thank you to all of you who have entered my life and encouraged, lifted me up, and prayed for and with me. Thank you.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
As you move forward, remember your dreams are in front of not behind you.
God bless.