As I sat in bible study this morning led by my friends Matt and Liz, I realized a recurring trend in faith-based teaching. To preface, I have been in church for many years to varying degrees and by no means do I think my level of faith is noteworthy. If Jesus just wanted a mustard seed of faith, I don't even have that. In our world of independence and science, its pretty hard to see God moving today, with the exception of mission trips (I have not gone on one).
My mindset for the last decade has been focused on business and success. From academic success, to personal development and professional accolades I've been on the same search as everyone else looking for that magic formula. Looking for the characteristics and behaviors that separate the successful people from the unsuccessful people and trying to integrate them into my own life, in the hopes of becoming successful too.
So, there's my disclaimer. But here's thing...
As I've studied, I've come to notice more differences than similarities. Abraham Lincoln was born in a tent in the forest because his dad couldn't build a real house. Marc Zuckerberg, Larry Paige, Sergie Brinn, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos went to Ivy league schools (they all dropped out). Tony Robbins grew up with next to nothing working as a janitor. Ray Crock was in his 50s before buying McDonalds.
Finances, business, politics, technology are skills. If you learn them, you can be successful. It's the reason successful people can repeat their success. It's why Warren Buffet says he could make all his money again if he ever lost it. It's a skill, you can learn it.
We tend to idolize the successful believing they are super smart, born into wealthy families, have great genetics, tenacity, or maybe you just think they're lucky. These people appear in history books and headlines because of their accomplishments, but as a student of success and a believer, I think their differences mark something more significant- a lack of control in circumstances and timing.
This is where I think we've been missing God move.
What would Marc Zuckerberg be if he hadn't come across the Winklevoss twins? There were a million reasons Lincoln should never have made it to the White House (or survived assassination until his work was done). Winston Churchill was an insufferable man who became Prime Minister just before WWII and was kicked out of 10th Street after winning WWII. Without him, all of Europe would've fallen to the Nazis.
In our modern world, God is still moving. He is moving in the relationships of your life, in your workplace, in your finances. He pairs you with his opportunities in his timing. You could be the greatest undiscovered boxer in the world, but God will ultimately determine when and if you get to step foot in the ring. He will determine when the starting quarterback gets injured and allows you a chance to take center stage. He will determine when your hard work pays off.
So I want to close with two thoughts. First, God is moving around us today and I think there is a vast opening for religious leaders to present contemporary examples of how God is moving. Remember, the people in The Bible were no different from us. Their experiences and examples are valuable, but there are many current valuable experiences and examples of faith and God's movement today. Second, you have no idea what God is going to use you for or when, so continue learning, continue growing and be patient. My new favorite saying is Festina Lente or 'make haste slowly'. Learn to enjoy the journey and the people along the way.
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