At 25 years old I was a young entrepreneur with my own company . At 36 I, thought I’d arrived at the pinnacle of success. After all, the company had won lots of awards locally, provincially and eventually we even won Americas best Builder in the U.S.
Pinnacles have a way of bringing you to a perspective that can make or break you – giving you perspective on life and reality! The truth was I was spiritually empty. I started searching for something bigger than success, more important than money and more lasting than homes. I’d vowed never to argue over money like my alcoholic parents so success in business was my life’s pursuit. But achievement was a lonely companion.
In my heart I knew there was a gap. A gap between what fulfillment I expected and what I was experiencing. At 36 years old, I had not accepted responsibility for my own personal and spiritual development. My commitment to Jesus as a teenager hadn’t matured. We started attending church, which certainly helped but I knew there was more.
I was afraid of my next step: reading the Bible. Falling into the trap of thinking…..
“You can’t read the Bible. It’s like a marathon. It’s too big. It’s for pastors and intellectuals, or retired people with too much time on their hands. It’s intimidating. It’s too challenging. You’ll never understand it.”
Repeating this script in my mind over and over I couldn’t move forward in my faith.
Then I met some guys studying a book. I could move forward with that small step. Next step the Bible. I almost quit. But they gave me a simple plan and called me to action.
Get up 15 minutes earlier and read the Bible for just 15 minutes to start my day. With this plan, some guys read it not once, but once every year! Now I do the same. Growing in my understanding and apply Christian spirituality not just to my eternity problem but to the every day issues I face.
Principles are found in the Bible about change:
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Change the way your life and eternity by listening to or reading The Story: The Bible As One Continuing Story Of God and His People by Max Lucado. One third the size of a normal Bible this “Readers Digest” condensed New International Version will help you get started.
70% of us are auditory learners so turn your car into a “rolling university” or commuting time into “learning time,” in just 16 hours, you could learn the greatest Story ever told. Reading or listening to the full version of the Bible can come later.
Listen to The Story so you don’t miss out on the opportunity to know: God, meaning and hope. Important is an understatement for how much impact this will have on your life. So much, that I have written about it before… see my previous post on the book by clicking here.
We are surrounded by a culture that is trying to get our attention towards causes, ideals, meaning and activities. Take the time to give yourself the advantage of a world view that will help you know God better and give you more meaning, purpose and hope.
Pay attention to this challenge! Order and listen to The Story. Take this first step in making your life count for something more than just the acquisition of money and success. It is worth it. You can do it. You’ve got what it takes.
Attitude Are you ready to change your life?
Action Order and listen to the CD version of The Story.
Question Not a Bible reader / listener, what’s keeping you from it? If you are what advice would you offer others?
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