Who Are You Becoming?

I've always said that hindsight is 20/20. It's easy to see what God has placed in your life when you get to the end of a season and it all makes sense. The problem is that we rarely see things clearly as they happen. We usually grumble and complain when God allows us to go through difficult circumstances. When we emerge on the other side stronger, however, then it all becomes crystal clear.

Here's an excerpt from Wide Awake by Erwin McManus I read this weekend.

"For some of us, the challenge is not being distracted by our circumstances or overwhelmed by the opportunities. For some of us, the real challenge of focus is that we get lost in uncertainty. What we need to develop is not simply concentration or convergence, but clarity. In this case, the question isn't what should I be doing? but who am I becoming? Self-awareness is one of the most critical characteristics of personal effectiveness and productivity. Do you know who you are? You cannot focus if your lens isn't clear."

Do we know who we are becoming? I think it's a plus for me to be so introspective and deep thinking most of the time. I'm constantly evaluating things in me and in others. Have you spent much time thinking deeply about yourself, or are you just going with the flow, reacting to circumstances around you? It's good to stop and just think for awhile. Think about where you want to be, the kind of life you want to live, and see how well prepared you are to live that life. What experiences or education do you still need to be more prepared to live that life? I've often told adults who are considering going back to college, "The next four years are going to tick away at the same rate, whether you're earning your degree or not. Wouldn't it be nice to finish the next four years with that degree, than empty handed?"

Here's a little more from Erwin.

"When we talk about the will of God, you know what most of us are expecting to find? We're looking for a yellow brick road or a clearly paved one-way street. We want a straight line from point A (where we are) to point B (where we are supposed to get). We often think of God's will more as a tightrope than a compass. We want one path, clearly lit and marked so we know exactly where to go. We don't think of ourselves like little mice smelling for the cheese while God shows us the way through the maze. We act as if the spiritual journey is lie God leaving little breadcrumbs, and we are Hansel and Gretel. Through the woods we can find our way home. But somewhere along the way all the ravens ate the breadcrumbs and we're lost in the forest, asking "God , where do I go?" The dilemma is that God doesn't draw you a map, doesn't give you chalk lines, doesn't leave you bread crumbs. He builds your character. As you develop your character, you have an internal compass that guides your way and begins to give you the clarity to see the life of your dreams. It is here that the hero within you is awakened, and you discover you are the seer. While others may be lost in the fog of ambiguity, you see your pat clearly for you know exactly who you are and why you are on this journey. The future is not waiting for you, it is waiting within you."

Building character. We usually never see it happening, but if you look back over your life thus far, you can see all the ways you've matured over time and how God has brought you to where you are. Hopefully none of us have to repeat our life lessons but learn the first time as we go through situations and move ahead. Blessings on this beautiful Monday.