So how do we avoid getting stuck? How do we continue to make progress towards the big things God has called us to do — especially when we aren’t even sure of what those big things are yet? The first answer to that question is provided by Jim Elliott, one of the five young missionaries martyred by the Auca Indians in South America. He wrote, “Wherever you are — be there 100%.”
This answer may surprise you. You might have expected us to say something like having big goals and vision were the most important things. However, according to the Bible, focused attention on the present is the key to forward momentum.
In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus shares the Parable of the Talents. In this story a nobleman gives each of his servants a certain amount of money before leaving on a journey. Upon his return two of the servants report that they had put his money to work and doubled what he‘d given them.
The master responds by commending each of these servants, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” The Gospel of Luke clues us in that the “much” he sets them over ends up being entire cities. You couldn’t ask for a better promotion than that.
God’s promise to us in this parable is that if we are faithful to develop what He has already given us to do, He will respond by putting us over something bigger and better. That means that no matter where you are you can start today to prepare for big things by throwing yourself 100% into whatever you have in front of you. People who are busy making the best use of their current circumstances are guaranteed to see their circumstances change. We have God’s word on that.
Great, great, great post!! Thanks so much!
This is so important! Thanks for the reminder.
Wow, good point. I think as Christians this is a really important concept because people who look at us need to see that we are striving in what we do, trying to glorify Christ through it.
Great post!
Eric
thanks I needed that. I have lately been doing some things halfheartedly (math, chores, etc…) but you have convinced me i need to do even these things wholeheartedly.
I must say that I needed to hear that. It’s so easy to focus on your future, that we forget the here and now. There’s nothing wrong with looking ahead, but what if God never grants us the future that we see. We miss out on the today. We should live every day and moment as if it were our last. I think like this we will accomplish much more than we can thinking about what we all want to accomplish in the future.
This is something I really struggle with. I have so many things I want to do, so many places I want to be and I often feel stuck, because of my age or lack of finances. I feel like I should be doing more, but always seem limited. My mom says I have lots of ambition, but need to learn to be content with where the Lord has placed me . I know she’s right. Pray that I can be more content and put myself 100% into the things that the Lord has set before me.
This is a really good post. It seems like so many kids these days are stuck in an apathy of commitment to anything. We do things with a halfhearted zeal and just “go through the motions”. I think we need to hear this as a wake up call from the slumber of mediocrity into the fire and passion of God’s will. Thanks Guys!
I don’t understand this fully. Could someone explain it a little more?
How do we know that we are putting ourselves 100 % into the right thing — the thing God wants for us? In your analogy of the ladder, what if the person thought that they were supposed to balance on the ladder so they did their best at that, rather than looking up and climbing upward as best they could? What if we get focused on the wrong thing, 100 %, and lose sight of what God has for our future? What do we do to discern God’s Will for our 100 % effort?
I guess I’m thinking about people from other religions who give their lives to something that isn’t worthy to lay your life down for. Or of people I know who are struggling to become doctors so hard that they are getting way off in their lives spiritually and have become impure in their relationships and have lost sight of God.
I read about J.O. Fraser who became a missionary and reached the unreached Lisu tribes that lived in the mountains in China (he’s the one who created a written language for them and started translating the Bible into their language). Before he became a missionary, he was a brilliant engineer and an amazing pianist. I’m not sure what happened that he became a missionary and forgot all his former talents in order to reach a bunch of people in a foreign country who would not appreciate those things. What if he had continued to give 100 % in the fields where his talents lay, instead of forsaking his talents to give 100 % illogically, by his peers standards, to his God?
How does one know what to forsake and what to give their all to? I love music. Becoming a doctor is quite noble. I am gifted at art and some sports. I began writing only several years ago, but that is also a passion. Many people are telling me or pushing me to do different things than any of these for the the purpose of becoming more spiritual or more successful (by the worlds standards).
How do I get direction? I will give 100 %. But where? I know to Whom. But do you know how I can know what He wants my life to accomplish?
Thanks for writing something that is challenging and that gets people thinking.
-Nicole
Sorry to write again, but I was thinking about this some more and then rereading what you wrote. How did the servants in the Parable of the Talents know how to, or where to, invest the money that was given them?
That’s what I was asking in the last message, I guess. How does one know where to invest and how to invest the life, and other things like talents, etc., that God has given him or her?
You are so right. It’s so easy to become discontent in what we’re doing, unless it’s some amazing job or something great. Sometimes we just need to be reminded that nothing we do is too great or too little in God’s eyes and that whatever it is should be done with all our might.
Nicole: I think we’ll be addressing your question in some of the future posts in the series. 😀
I’ve always heard that quote as, “Wherever you are, be all there.” It means the same thing either way, now I’m just wondering which one is the original.
Anyway, this post was kind of a relief to read after that last one. (LOL) Because at this moment in time God is not asking me to look anywhere else but where He has me….to be faithful in little so I may be faithful in much. So these words hold particular meaning and affirmation for me. Thanks….as always.
I understand what Nicole said in her last post. I get the point of the parable, but I always felt sorry for the servant that buried his money.
In response to her question, I’d like to say that if you have a relationship with God, you should ask Him what he wants you to do. It may take a while to get the answer, but God doesn’t just give us a bunch of talents and say, “Pick one and hope that it’s the right one.” He has a plan.
I hadn’t thought about the post from that angle before, thanks for the thought-provoking comments Nicole!
Guys, great post I found it quite encouraging as I’ve recently been sick of my studies. It is good to remember that my teachers aren’t the ones I’m ultimately serving.
Nicole, I know how you feel. It can be very frustrating waiting for orders. But be encouraged, God is growing your soul in this time of waiting and He will use whatever you give Him. Sometimes God puts us in waiting times so we learn to trust Him enough to follow through the next step.
Thanks, Alex! I’m looking forward to reading the next posts.
I like the idea conveyed of “give 100%,” but sometimes everything is coming against me for giving 100% to God and people seem to be pulling me all different directions. I’m sure everyone knows how that feels!
I agree wholeheartedly with you, Jess, in that God has a plan and all I need to do is ask Him to reveal it. Thanks so much for writing that and reminding me!
I see — it’s simple when I look to Him, when I seek Him. It’s when I seek and give myself with 100% effort to the plan itself, instead of the One who wrote the plan, that I get lost, confused, bewildered, and overall cranky and no fun to be with.
It’s funny actually. You giving me that answer for “if I have a relationship with God.” It reminds me of something — actually, how I now have a relationship with God.
A while back I went to a conference and at the time I was really having trouble getting close to God, getting to know Him. You know, when you don’t feel Him near and you don’t know how to make Him more a part of your life? I don’t know if that’s the best way to explain it. I just felt far away from Him so often even though I had found Him so real at times.
So anyway, I went up to the speaker between meetings (for some reason he liked to sit on the edge of the stage and chat with people — which was nice) and asked him, “How do I get close to God until I meet the guy that God has for me to marry, and once I have met him, how do I stay close to God?”
I had known some people who fell away from God when they got married because they compromised their walk with Him and lost sight of what mattered and my brother was always using excuses for not being close to God that were somewhere along the lines of, “I can’t find God alone. When my wife comes along, she’ll help me find God. That’s the only way for me to find Him because I’m too depressed (or lonely) to seek God on my own and spend time with Him.”
The speaker started listing things for me to do: Find a good church, surround yourself with people you can be accountable to — good mentors to help you grow, have friends in your life that are good influences that won’t hold you back, etc.
When I told him that I had just had to leave the church I was going to and that I had lost all of my friends because of it, he was genuinely compassionate and sorry for me. But then I told him that I couldn’t find a good church (the church I went to the conference with was one of the worst) and that I couldn’t find mentors to help me grow or friends that were good influences (I had tried really hard and had a bad time of it, being betrayed and all), so I asked him, “What do I do then? How do I find God now when I am alone and not lose Him no matter who is a part of my life later?”
In front of everybody asking for autographs he said, “I don’t know.”
When I went home I told my mom what had happened and she said, “I know the answer to that. Just ask God to show you and to help you.”
I was about 15, so I was annoyed at my mom (no one likes it when their parents have ALL the answers — just kidding). But I did what she said, eventually (once I got over myself), and, in time, I got to know God very well and now that I know Him I would never give Him up for anyone or anything. I know Him in a way that I know His Love and I love Him — I hope that sounds as meaningful as I know it to be in my life.
I admire that speaker I talked to for his honesty and the courage to speak honestly to me in spite of his pride and the people standing around waiting for autographs who probably heard. I’ve had so many people who were supposed to help me lie to me because they didn’t know the answers.
Jess, when I read your comment I wondered how you could feel sorry for the servant who buried his money because, afterall, he wasn’t the one who did what was best in the story. I mean, he ended up in hell, didn’t he? But then I just finished writing about this speaker that I talked to, and I feel so sorry for him — the speaker. Do you think that the servant in the story is a little like the speaker (or vice versa)?
You and my mom are right, and I see that I can apply what she said and you reminded me of to any situation — I just ask God and wait for His Plan, His timing. He’s Faithful — always!
But what about the speaker? If he doesn’t ask God in order that he might build upon the treasure (relationship with God) that God has already given him, what will happen when he meets God and must account for the wealth that he has hidden away and not added to? I do feel sorry for him.
Let’s pray for him and those like him. The ones who have treasure but keep it hidden rather than investing it wisely and increasing it.
Thanks again, Alex and Jess!!
Thank you, this was very encouraging to me.
Good post! This is a great series it is a series I really needed! I can’t wait for the rest! 2 thumbs up 🙂
This was such a good reminder for me! It’s so easy to get caught up in tomorrow, and waste today. Thank you so much!
Thank you guys for this great post. I’ve been having a hard time recently of doing school, chores and other stuff 100%. A verse that has really helped me is Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men.” Just thinking on all of my work even just cleaning my room is for the Lord it motivates me to do it better and more efficiently. Hopefully that is helpful.
Under Grace,
Caleb R.
P.S. I didn’t comment on the first post but it also was very helpful. I can’t wait to read the rest of the posts in this series. 🙂
Alex and Brett,
In the above post you brought out an excellent command of Jesus that few Christians, either in business or ministry, are willing to obey or articulate: be faithful where you are. God has indeed promised to bless us if we will humbly submit to Him and just be faithful, doing what He has called us to do, right now.
I am praying for you,
Stay faithful,
David
Great thoughts, as usual. It reminds me of something John Wayne once said in one of his war movies. He was asked where he was going, and he replied in his John Wayne style, “All the way!”
I love that phrase. “Wherever you are, be there 100%.” I need that. Some small hard things are entering my life…they’re not very big, but they could get bigger. I need to remember that when I’m in a hard situation, that I need to put all I am (along with all Christ has given me) and not try to weedle out of it. Thanks!
This is good to hear. It is so easy to think that the only important things are big and noticeable. As I watch my mother serve by feeding us, cleaning her house, chauffeuring us, and teaching us… Her nurture has made all the difference in our lives. But when I think of being a mother, though I do look forward to it, I sometimes wonder how I’ll feel to give up the freedom of being a young single. You remind me to be faithful here and now, and to not use worldly standards to determine what “hard things” are.
“Wherever you are, be all there” is a quote from Jim Elliot, I think. It was our motto up at camp. (www.pineridgeministries.org if ya’ll want to join me there this summer!) Thanks for the great post!
This was very encouraging to me. Thanks for the post.
Erik
Thanks, Grace!
Brett and Alex: I just read your article, “Christians Can’t Multitask.” I really liked it. I needed its truth. I have a LONG attention span because I was homeschooled when it comes to reading, writing, researching, listening to music, etc., but I have a tough time giving up those things to really show God’s Love to people. So I start multitasking when they’re around. I may get an emotional vacation out of the deal, but they get hurt or annoyed because they can see that I am distracted, and I don’t honor God or accomplish His work for me — not even 30 or 50%.
For anyone reading this series, I recommend also reading that article if you haven’t already. It runs with the same theme and has some really good points that both convicted and encouraged me.
And to Phoebe: I know what you mean — mothers are so under-appreciated in spite of being some of the most giving and loving people in the world, so it is hard to WANT to be one in some ways. It’s kind of like being a Christian, I think. Christians are supposed to love when they are hated and do work that they are not honored for by the world. A lot of Christians go unnoticed, by some standards, in all their love and devotion, compassion and giving.
But I think that therein lies the key to the rewards of jobs or calls like that that are truly great.
If we don’t have honor or affection or appreciation or limited love from this world distracting us with its comforts and pleasures, we are drawn to seek the Love and Honor of the One who would satisfy us. We are driven to know the only reward that matters: A close and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
You know that verse, “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” — Luke 18:25. Most people think that means only rich with money, but I think it is so with all kinds of rich — like if we are rich with praise or affection or love or respect. I think when we are rich in those things it can make it harder to see the thing we lack and to forsake all when Jesus says (in verse 22 of the chapter), ” ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ ”
I’m not a mother. I’m a free single, too. I’m just speaking from the experience of knowing my own mom — seeing how she used her experiences to get close to God when us kids were unaware of how unique she was as a person and other people just didn’t really care to notice how much she cared and did for everybody.
Being a Christian will help you in being a mother and vice versa, I believe. Good point that you brought up!
And I guess I can’t keep quiet. One more note on the subject of this post and what I wrote Phoebe: One thing God recently taught me in my walk with Him is to do whatever He calls me to do with a heart that draws others to His Heart.
As Christians, we may be called by our Savior to clean up a school or playground, study, help out a friend, write a thank you note or a note of encouragement, or even to give our lives — to die for what we believe or to save a friend’s life. Whatever we do, we should do it with 100% effort, but also, (and the this is a thing I struggle with because I don’t like some of the things He calls me to do), we should do it with a heart like His Heart for ours on the Cross so that whoever witnesses our life and God’s calling on our lives will witness God’s Heart through us, that Loves them, broke for them on the Cross, and that longs for them to know Him and His Love and Peace.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
We can look at Him and how He died and know that He gave 100% effort, but a truly amazing thing to me is that we can also look at His Heart and know because of His Heart throughout the effort that He Loved us. Let’s ask God, when we ask for help and strength in giving 100%, that He would also transform our hearts and strengthen them so that they point all who notice them to His Heart.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.” The Col. 3:23 is also good, Caleb. We earnestly need to seek doing all we do with the object of serving and glorifying God. This should be our passion!
Caitlin & Laurel
Thanks once again for writing another article that pins down the part of my heart that is struggling. I have been very indecisive in almost everything, and not finishing the little everyday tasks; and when you don’t do those little things, they pile up, cluttering your head, and you get stuck in a muddle! I will try now again to give my 100% attention on all things big and small. That is so funny, maybe you should call this tendency to not be focused on one thing “spiritual ADD”!
I have been thinking on this very thing. Any of you who have seen the thread “My mother is leaving…” in the prayer room know my story. For those of you who don’t I’ll give you the nut shell version:^)
My mom left last June for another man whom she was having an affair with . She left us 11 kids with dad to carry on, and has been in and out ever since. Check the Rebelution Forum for the whole story!
Through this whole thing God has been showing me that I need to be content and joyful in where he has put me. it may be tough but, I need to be here 100% because this is where God has put me.
Thank you for the encouraging post!
Jim Elliott is so inspiring!! You are so right. Even if we’re somewhere we don’t want to be, God wants us to show be a “billboard for Christ.” We should never become bogged down with the idea of “I don’t even want to be here.”
Thanks guys, this is an awesome post.
Hillary: That is a good point. You’re so beyond where I was when I was going through a tough situation not that long ago. When I was 13, my mom had to make her husband move out because he wouldn’t stop abusing my brother and I — verbally, and he was sometimes violent in our home.
Man, I’ve been putting off writing this because I don’t like to write it out, but you were brave with your post, so I will try to be, also.
After my mom kicked him out, my brother was angry at her — he didn’t understand that she was trying to protect us — he took over what his father had done. Only he was worse. Sometimes when my mom tried to talk to him about God or about things in his life that weren’t good for him — that were harming him and others — he would become really violent. I had to call the police on him because of it. Once, my mom was in the garage, so I was alone in the house when he started getting really violent. We thought he had gone to bed, but he was really up thinking about his talk with my mom earlier. He got angry and tried to take it out on us. He did purposeful things to try to hurt my mom.
I tried to call people and ask for help, but they wouldn’t help me. I called my former pastor to ask him for prayer and when I told him what was happening he said, “Well, there are two sides to every story.” Why would he think I would lie? I couldn’t figure it out.
During this time, I read Psalms a lot. Sometimes because I was so afraid I had heart problems and I layed on my mom’s bed all day. It was really tough. But then I was going through these books and I came across a book by Isobel Kuhn that I hadn’t read. I had brushed it off as unimportant because it was about other missionaries (which I sometimes found to be boring and not very inspiring, at the time). I read it and it taught me so much. I had been so anxious for my brother to be out of our lives and to stop hurting us and so frustrated that no one would help us that I hadn’t seen God’s plan clearly — how He was tenderly teaching me something few learn. My mom couldn’t get rid of my brother — get him to move out and leave us alone or behave — but God could. I needed to go to Him. And I needed to honor Him and praise Him still through this, or any situation.
I recommend the book — it’s called “Green Leaf in Drought” to anyone in a tough spot or interested in learning more on this subject of being where God puts you for His glory even if you really, reallly don’t like it. You can get it from OMF.com The title of it is based off of Jeremiah 17:8. The people in it suffered a lot, but it’s so cool because it isn’t about that — it’s about God’s Faithfulness and how He is ALL we need and our Source and about just how He can be our Source of every good thing and all that we need when everyone and everything has left or dried up around us.
Thanks, Hillary, for sharing. It’s tough. But it was needed — what you wrote.
I love hearing stories or passages from the Bible told in another person’s point of view, and this was no exception! Great post.
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Good job! But for this I want it now generation we need to be 100% right now and nt lose faith when things don’t happened the way we think they should. Because God isn’t in a hurry. Look a Joshua and Caleb having to wait forty years for a generation to die off. Joshua after all those years still had the fire and vison in his heart to want to fight for it the same he had when he first scouted Canaan. So kep the fire, give 100% and remember God is faithful.
great post!!!
I really really needed that this morning. God bless you guys. 🙂
Thanks for this – I loved the Jim Elliot quote and I’m putting it up on my bulletin board. I am an expatriate from South Carolina, and I’ve been living in Belgium for almost two years. I can’t help but miss the States, but this reminds me to keep my focus on the here and now, and not constantly be wondering how much longer it’s going to be.
Thanks and I’ll be praying for you guys.
Hey! Thank you for posting this. It is so true that we assume that we need to have bigger goals, or a better vision, when in fact, we are ignoring what God has put before us, no matter how small we think it is, God has a purpose for our lives.
That was so helpful! You have no idea! I’ve always wanted to get away (and I still do). Go to other countries, visit other people, put together some sort of mass adoption system and help AIDS people, and do the things away from a “boring little state in the middle”.
Little by little I can see that I can just do the best by doing the most of what I can here. I started last night after a long day of travel I did my least favorite chores for my mom and now I have more freedom.
Keep up the good work! You’re changing lives, you’ve no idea how much!
I basically was going to write a bunch, except when I read Callie’s post, it was literally almost exactly what I was going to write. Thanks for the encouragement Alex and Brett!
Yes, giving 100% is definitely what needs to happen, but it’s easier said than done. I know it is not my nature at all to do anything wholeheartedly, I just like to get by with the least possible effort. However, when you ‘just get by’ not only is it NOT doing hard things, but you also don’t get the same kind of satisfaction out of what you’re doing and life can get really really boring. After trying what this post suggested (putting effort into little things) life becomes much more meaningful and you know that you’re honoring God at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!!!
Dear Alex and Brett,
How do you put yourself 100% into where you are even if you don’t know if it’s God’s plan for you?
I am a pastors daughter and I actually hate going to church. I know it sounds horrible but we have a extremely small church and even smaller youth group. We don’t really have a youth pastor and if someone is teaching us I really don’t get anything out of it. I often times cry myself to sleep wondering what to do. It’s not like I can go to a different church I’m the pastor’s daughter. I really want to learn more about God and his word but I don’t think I’m getting anything here. It probably sounds like the only person I ever think about is me but I really don’t know what to do! I know it’s bad when I would rather be home catching up on homework than being at church. Do you have any advice?
Dear Jodi,
You know, I believe that wherever we are now in life is God’s plan for you at that moment.
Alex and Brett are right about making the most out of everything and doing stuff 100%. The Bible says “and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord.” Jodi, you can do something right now about your situation. I know your church is small. Guess what mine is too. But you can stills serve God. You can witness in your community, invite visitors to your church. The way I view things, there is always something you can do to serve God, no matter the circumstances. And about not getting something out of the teaching and preaching, check your heart condition. Though you honestly want to learn more about God, you did say that you hate going to church. God probably won’t work in your heart if that’s the attitude you have Sunday morning. Ask God to change your attitude and your heart! And He will. I am sure you know these verse in Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Jodi, this probably means that you just have to learn to trust in God more. And you know what, putting trust in God won’t always be easy. But spend some time in prayer, asking God for the strength you need and the direction in life that only He can give.
James Tucker,
Thank you so much for your encouraging and godly advice, I was beginning to think no one was going to reply! I didn’t even think about my attitude towards going to church. I will deffinately start praying to ask God to change my heart! You will never know how much your words have meant to me. Sometimes I just need some godly encouragement from someone who cares, which doesn’t come often. I appreciate your help in my situation. I hope to get back to you on how I’m doing in the future. Thank you so much!
– Your Sister in Christ- Jodi 😀
I really neaded this. Thanks!
This helps me a little bit. It makes me feel a little bit better about my situation.
Thanks for the post!
Thank you for the posting! It is easy to compromise and live a normal life when God is calling us to something challenging, something uncomfortable and, often at first, unattractive. I’ve read the book Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot and found it very inspirational.
May God strengthen all of you in your Christian walk,
Wesley Newton
When I was at cadet camp once back a couple of years ago learning about leadership we had a guest speaker come in and talk about being where you are and how if your attitude is good and your not complaining and just looking at the brighter side of things it makes things go alot better and you can get more things accomplished.
I believe that you attitude / how you conduct yourself, plays a huge role in moving forward. If your constantly saying id rather be doing something else or would rather be somewhere else, how can you be where you are 100%??? and may it be possible that an attitude could be holding you back from accomplishing something great for God???
well thats just my take on this.
~ “How do you eat an elephant??? One bite at a time. ” ~
oh, thank you so much for writing that. its very encouraging. cause i sometimes wonder…why give your all? because you’re doing it for God…whatsoever you do, do all for the glory of God.
cool. This is inspiring. Will do! (thumbs up, man!)
Thank-you. You’re right. I think I could be a lot more whole-hearted about the here and now. I usually wait for the Summer holidays to serve God and do interesting things, but I need to be doing things year-round and makng the best use of all of my time
Thanks again.
This is something that God has been recently teaching me–to give 100% in all I do. I had not even known that I didn’t give my all, so when God brought it to my attention I actually didn’t believe it. But after a long time of reflecting, I found that I don’t really give 100% in things I do, even in my relationship with God, because I’m afraid of failing. Even after I realized this, it’s still hard to give all of me in the things I do, but with God’s help it’s possible.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
-Philippians 4:13
I think this is extremely important. I wasted my last school year just trying to get by. I daydreamed my way through everything, so much so that real life still feels more like a daydream to me than anything else. It’s hard to do that if you’re giving 100% to everything you do. You don’t have room to plan your own future or go off on your way.
So very helpful. Thanks a million for posting this!
Recently (ie. just today) I’ve been thinking that I’m in a “time warp” so to speak. Time keep s going by and I don’t feel as though I’m doing anything BIG or HARD for him. I’m running out of time to do anything BIG or HARD while in my teens (I’ll be turning 18 in another month).
You’ve reminded me that everything needs a foundation. I have to be building that foundation with 100% of my energy today so I will have the ability/talent/training/knowledge/wisdom etc. for He want’s me to accomplish tomorrow.
Well, at least that is what God brought to my mind while reading this post. I’ve definitely been lacking recently.
My new goal: “Focus with 100% of my attention on today’s tasks. Weather it be family, chores, schoolwork, or something extremely minuscule, I need to give my whole self to the task in order to glorify God now and in the future.”
I read all that Nicole (forgive me for using an informal tone, but I do not know her last name) had said in the earlier comments, and I have the exact same point of view with her on her first post. I am, as she is or was, bamboozled about exactly WHAT I should devote myself to. As Nicole stated, we know WHOM. But the problem is WHAT. I have been asking that question for a long time and almost killed myself over it (metaphorically speaking). Alex and Brett, can you please post something on this topic if you already haven’t? I mean absolute no offence for this blog post, it is a good help, but I just want to know about the issue that Nicole talked about.
Thank you,
Kyuyoung
That’s very, very true.
I’m reading your book, Do Hard Things, and I recently went on a camping trip with my youth group, during which we were challenged to be godly leaders from Titus. God has been challenging me to let go of what I want to do and serve Him wholehearted because that’s what I’m called to do and He’ll work everything else out. He has something great planned for me, and I think for this generation too. Your book is driving that point home even more.
Titus 2:7-8
Excellent site, keep up the good work
i really enjoyed reading this post. lately i’ve felt called to work really hard so that next year, during the cross country season, i can be really good. I feel like God is calling me to do this because it would definitely be one of the hardest things for me to do and he would become glorified in the process. For the past three years, i was never good at cross country because it was too hard to try. I feel that if i work hard this year through God, i will be able to glorify him when people ask how i did it. I also think it will help me build my realtionship with him because i know that i will be able to do anything with God at my side.
thanks Alex and Brett. this post helped me realize what i need to be doing 100%
Thanks, guys. My pastors wife gave me her copy of ‘Do Hard Things’ yesterday, I began reading it right away. I’d like to thank you so much for doing hard things, yourselves, because by doing that you’ve inspired me, and others to step outside of our boats to do the greater things God has planned for us.
God Bless!
I don’t think this was written with cell phones in mind but I think it applies so well. You can’t be 100% where you are if you are checking your phone every minute to reply to a text. Be where you are or you might miss out on receiving the talents all together. God can’t give anyone responsibility if they are not listening to him in the first place.
yeah, good point. man, it’s hard to think about doing God’s will when your fixing your hair or makeup, or stressing over clothes. that’s something i struggle with, and i’m sure a lot of other teen girls do too. but you don’t just go out in public looking frumpy either, so how do you know what the right balance is??
wow… this is, like, exactly what I’m going through. Whatever I do, I just barely get past it. This blog really makes you think.
Great post! It really makes me think…
Thanks for posting. =)
I realized one thing for me to press on.
Thank you Lord.
[…] I was browsing the articles on the Rebelution website and for some reason clicked on this article : Wherever You Are, Be There 100%. God doesn’t talk in “burning bushes” kind of way anymore (though He still […]
Hey thanx for this post! i really like this one. it is something i have been dealing with…
I feel that I can sincerely relate to this. Recently I’ve been feeling a little discouraged about being a Rebelutionary and doing BIG things for God. ( I’m a very real girl who yearns to do extraordinary things for my Savior) The posts and examples that flood this websight are immensely encouraging and inspiring; but sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough; I haven’t started a organization or websight/blog. But I’m starting to realize maybe God hasn’t displayed opportunities like that because I’m not ready for that step yet. So I keep trying to trust God and His providence; everything works out in His time!
So this post was perfect timing! Alex and Brett, thank you for being ready lilsteners to God’s voice and bold speakers to your fellow comrades. You truly live out this verse: “Encourage one another and build each other up.”
God has given me some wonderful opportunities though. As of Aug.27 I’ve started a small Bible study/discipleship group for 8 girls ages 9-14 (I’m 15 myself) this has been a beautiful experience; and I pray that God will use each one of these girls to accomplish great hard things for His glory.
I’ve also started teaching the preK/K sunday school in our church; what a blessing children are! Once a sweet little girl was trying to recite her Bible verse to me; (It was Phil. 4:19) what came out was “My God….shall supply all your KNEES according to his GLORIOUS CRUTCHES in Christ Jesus.” Amen! The Lord provides – everything from opportunities to crutches!:)
Praise God for His faithfulness!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Becky
i need help ya’ll im stuck in a town that i dont know any thing about… but i also want to get a morning devotion started at my school without getting in trouble by the law… does any one have any advice for me
josh: yeah. i got some advice. but what town is it? otherwise, speak with the principal, and ask whether she is ok with that or not. then, just pray! that is the BESTsolution/advice that anyone can give you; just PRAY!!!!
wow. that is really true. even tonight, on my way to capoeira (dont ask. google it) i did not feel like going. now though, when i got home, i realized that im glad i went. it helped me to get focused, and it let me get a little fun. even though im tired, it was still a good class. i had already read this post befroe i left, and so i tried to play with my best, and 100%. i think that i did pretty well, and so my class was well worth it.
Hi there. I am a sportsman in South Africa. I play a game called cricket and its very big in our country. Here in our sporting culture everyone is extremely confident, cocky and arrogant and rude, well a lot of the successful players.
This has been tempting for me as I have a great desire to play for my country but as a christian maintain my Christian stand and character. I do not want to make much of myself as many other players in our circuit do but wanna make much of Christ…do not wanna be self absorbed but Christ absorbed. But you know trying to do this in our culture is hard and it gets questioned a lot. Coaches, other players title my gentleness and hopefully humbleness as being “SOFT”!
This blog has been a great help in getting my mind right within the culture. Where I can do great exploits, Hard things for Gods glory, even if it means maintaining my gentleness-cos I believe it requires more strength to be gentle than to be brash, abusive and rude.
By Gods grace I will try 100 percent to remain gentle and humble for Gods glory and not mine. “Wherever you are-be there 100 percent for Gods glory.”
I feel the same as Erin.
whoa! great! this is actually what i struggle with. this past week, i worried a lot about the future: is this really the field of study i want to pursue? why is it that i’m not passionate with my course? if this isn’t my path, then Father, please reveal where you want me to be.. reveal it to me when it’s still early to shift to another course and start again. (i’m a 2nd year Computer Engineering Student)
even though he gave me Matthew 6:34, my worries overwhelmed my faith. He used different people, circumstances, words and even the topic on last Sunday’s service–all about worries, just to win my faith back. he enabled me to do it. He truly is a living God 😀
Greater thing are yet to come. –this is my favorite statement 🙂
excitement. a life in Jesus gives lots of excitement.
now, i surrender all my worries to God. 🙂 i don’t have any clear vision in the future. (well, no one has. ^_^) my faith shall be my eyes (accdg. to Chris Tomlin’s “i will rise”)
Jeremiah 29:11
learn from the past. live in the present. look forward to the future!!
“Wherever You Are, Be There 100%”
i’m now a child of God. soooo, why worry??
thank you. may God continue to use you to spread and glorify his name!! indeed He was glorified! God bless 😀
things**
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