Questioning Your Doubts

Category: Journey

  • A Network of Relationships

    A Network of Relationships

    In your profession or educational journey, in your social life, in your faith community, you exist within a network of relationships. While social media now makes it relatively easy to stay connected with high school and college classmates, colleagues from old jobs, and friends from years past who moved on economically or geographically, the responsibilities of life can disconnect us emotionally. Yet, we are all living our lives with an audience. Admirers, detractors, the indifferent – our life sends a message to all.

    I am thinking about three kinds of relationships in our relationship network of life:

    Present for one chapter: If you wrote a book containing illustrations from your life, these would be the folks who were characters in only one chapter. Maybe they were heroes who came into your life for just the right moment or villains who taught you a valuable lesson, but, either way, they came into your plot line, then rode away into the sunset. They know you as the person from that moment in time, not the person you became twenty years later.

    Present for several chapters: These are the people who have grown alongside you for an extended season. Perhaps these are high school or college friends whose friendship lasted long after the diploma was granted. Perhaps these are people with whom you worked closely for a season in a job or as a volunteer in a church, then maintained a connection afterwards. They could be colleagues you see at professional conferences on a consistent basis or fellow alumni you meet at events. These relationships are valuable because you have seen each other develop over the years, staying connected through change.

    Present for most of the book: These are the relatively rare people who have stayed in your life for most of your life. Take good care of these people and honor your shared history.

    All relationships, short or long, are opportunities. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:11-12)

    Be patient with people whenever you can. Be kind. Maybe you will be an inspiration to some, even as some will inspire you.

    What lessons have you learned from your network of relationships?

  • You are Here

    You are Here

    If you ever tried to find your way around a mall or an amusement park, you might have discovered one of those useful vertical maps with a drawing of stores or amusement park attractions and a helpful circle or arrow informing you that “you are here.” Once you found your current location, you could easily find your way to your next desired destination, whether it was the food court in the mall, a shoe store, or your favorite rollercoaster.

    Perhaps we can find a useful analogy for life from the “You are Here” symbol on the map of stores. To find how to get to where you would like to go next, you need to know where you are. To locate where you are on the map, it helps to know where you have traveled before reaching this point. In life, “you are here” represents a moment in time as well as a location in space.

    Feeling energized and successful? You are here thanks to the hard work and sacrifices made by you and others to get you to this point. Learn from what has worked so well in the past, add new knowledge, and move confidently towards the next location on the map of life.

    Feeling discouraged, betrayed, or disappointed? You are here thanks to choices made by you and other influential people in your life. You are here, but you do not need to stay here. Find your desired location. Figure out how you became lost until you found this map. A desirable location in life is waiting for you.

    Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) A helpful map is available to guide you on your journey. Find out where you are and then locate where you desire to be.

  • Thoughts for the New Year

    Thoughts for the New Year

    A new year brings new opportunities for achievements, for joy, for receiving blessings and bestowing blessings on others (Psalms 126). For many people, 2020 was a difficult year, and 2021 brings the promise of a better future.

    The sun sets on New Year’s Eve and rises on New Year’s Day, and one year turns into another, with the new day no different than the one before. However, the turning of the year on our calendars gives us the impetus to make changes, improvements, and new choices. Here are some suggestions:

    1. ESTABLISH routines/rituals that will incrementally move you in the direction of your goals. This principle works equal well in the areas of spirituality, health, and wealth. For example, in the areas of spirituality and health, establish a regular sleep schedule and set aside time each morning for prayer, exercise, and a calm start to your day. In the area of wealth, save and invest a portion of your income. Better to start with small, regular amounts than none at all.
    2. EDIT aspects of your life that detract from your well-being. Lovingly set boundaries with people who demean your dreams, work against your goals, and speak negatively about you to others.
    3. ELIMINATE sources of frustration when possible. Replace the error-prone software, fix broken equipment, organize your wardrobe, and create systems to support your daily activities.

    The specific changes and upgrades will vary with each individual, but the concepts are universal. Finally, while making improvements in the temporal realm, keep your eyes on what is eternal (Psalms 16:11).