Why you're not as fulfilled as you should be...

Don’t you want a life that is full and abundant? I actually think thats the promise God gives us throughout all of scripture, specifically when we’re told that our life can be beyond anything we dream or imagine. Pretty cut and dry.

We’re also told that the kingdom of God is about righetouesness, peace and joy. I think it should be clearly noted that two-thirds of the Kings reign are emotional states. PEACE and JOY. All of those attributes translate to one word in my opinion, fulfillment.

Here’s the deal. I believe that is something God offers us right now. Not some day when. Thats what in the meantime is all about. Enjoying the here, while working to get there. You're “there” could be a multiplicity of things, but the goal is making sure we get the “here” healthy, otherwise we won’t enjoy the “there” either.

So here’s the catch, as much as its a free gift from God, we also have a role to play, and I think there our three areas of your life, that if focused on and layered with healthy practices, then we can live a fulfilling life right now.

The main things that I see affect our culture both within in the church and in the world at large is a total lack of focus in making sure that our mind, money, and movement are on healthy trajectories. These are the three pillars of in the meantime and ultimately are what allow us to cultivate a fulfilling life.

MIND

When was the last time you thought about what you think about? Reread that again if you have to.

I am seeing that within christianity and our culture as a whole, people are living their lives on absolute autopilot. Or even worse, they have all their fears, stresses, and anxieties on a loop. Of course rates of depression are going to be on the rise when all one thinks about is all the negative things in their life.

Scripture tells us that the way we are transformed is by the renewing of our mind. When are we supposed to do that? Everyday, all day. When you aren’t setting the intention of your thoughts, your brain automatically picks the easiest and most recurring thoughts for you to focus on. For many of us, they’re not fulfilling. But instead, to point again at scripture, we’re told to take every thought captive. Now growing up, people only referred to that verse when they wanted to lay the hammer down on sexual sin. But do you know what it’s actually referring to…EVERY THOUGHT.

I read a great quote today:

“That inner monologue which is running inside your head will rarely stop. So you’d better become friends with it.”

And what’s the default setting God wants your thoughts to run through? Peace and Joy.

How do we make sure that our thoughts are leading us in the right direction? This is where you have to step up your intentionality.

If you’re a christian, stop reading the book of revelations, and instead focus the other 98% of scripture which is constantly pulling you in the direction of a fearless, powerful, and beautiful mindset. Outside of that, audit what you're taking in. I’ve yet to meet a person who binges the news that isn’t riddle with fear and anxiety. On social media eliminate the content that causes you to feel anything less than what God has called you to, which is to be His creative masterpiece intended to be a light in a dark world.

Make a plan of the type of life you know you could live, then implement the necessary steps to live that out on a daily basis.

Your mind is a powerful tool that no other creature in creation shares. Be extremely combative in making sure you’re not giving that tool away.

Our mind dictates every other area of our life: our relationships, discipline, communication, work ethic, faith, trust, and so on. It is imperative you give it the attention it beckons for.

Money

Whether we want to admit it or not, money is a primary focus for us in life. We just cannot live life, and especially the life we know we can, if we are slaves to it.

I want to clarify what I mean when I say slaves to money. That is not me saying don’t think about it. Actually the opposite. Instead, I want us to change the way we think about it. To manage our money well we have to think about it, and we have to think about it a lot.

Often people quote the scripture money is the root of evil. When we say it like that it makes us feel more spiritual. But when we say it like that, we actually say it wrong. The real verse is the love of money is the root of all evil.

Big difference between the two statements. How then should we think about our money?

If you’ve followed my stuff, you know I’m pretty big on not being in debt. Scripture tells us that God has appointed us to “be the lender and not the borrower, to be the head, and not the tail.”

When you have consumer debt, someone else has becomes your master. You’re also a slave to money, because now it’s telling you where it goes. And for what? The couch, outfit, or car you felt like you needed? (caveat, a mortgage gets a pass). And I can hear it now, you had to take a loan out to fix the car, or the hospital bills, or whatever. I understand emergencies happen, thats why its a necessity to get out of debt, and create an emergency fund, so you’re prepared.

This is why it’s important to get our mind right, because then we can face our money with clear and sober thinking. Don’t buy crap you don’t need. That’s the bottom line.

Why do we care, when everyone else in culture seems to make it by following the debt system? Because we don’t want to be like everyone else, we want full, exciting, and vibrant lives. When we are the masters of our money, we get to do what Dave Ramsey has chanted for thirty years…”When we live like no one else, We get to live and give like no one else.”

Make a plan. Create a budget. Believe that your hard financial work will pay off.

Movement

Finally, the third ingredient to helping you live a full life in the meantime, comes down to your movement.

Quite literally, how are you physically moving?

Way too many of us take for granted the amazing and beautiful bodies that God has given us.

I went on a bike ride this morning and a man in his late 70’s went running by me shirtless. He was in incredible shape and had great form. You think he started running last week? Heck no. Chances are, he’s been physically active his whole life.

I know a lot of other 70 year olds that would never be able to do that (and i’m excluding the ones with actual health issues our handicaps). My point is, we drive our bodies in the direction of where we end up.

I have found a passion in exercise because I’m not sure there is a better metaphor for living a full life in the meantime. Often while I’m exercising there is moments of struggle and pain, juxtaposed with joy and and triumph. Such is life.

Exercise is in and of itself an exercise for us to build the mental fortitude to recognize that each moment in life is a gift, both the highs and the lows. And when lived out properly even the pain can have purpose.

Connected to moving well, is eating well. Here’s where your mind and even money come into play. The popular foods on the market are killing us. Take back control of your life, and one way to do it is by being intentional with what you eat.

If you want to win in life, get moving.

Do what’s relevant and safe to you, and it’s never too late, just start.

Conlclusion

I think it’s pretty apparent how all three of these areas are connected, but even more importantly how these three areas are connected to everything else in your life.

God is faithful, He’s going to do his part, and now it’s time for you to do yours!

Spend the rest of this month focusing on one thing in each of these areas and I promise you that fruit will begin to grow.

If you were encouraged by this, go ahead and share it with a friend.