Well, it’s been a long time since I used this forum and
format. It’s not because I haven’t had something to say. God knows, I was born
with an opinion and usually always have something to say (and hopefully
contribute to the conversation). However, for the past three years I became lost. I was
so busy working that I lost myself in the hustle.
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever been so busy
“making a living” that you forgot to actually live. To make matters worse, this is the antithesis of what I have believed, preached
and taught all of my adult life. For example, I have often proclaimed that our God, the God
of abundant life, does not call us to work harder, rather empowers us to work
smarter. Likewise, I have long believed that God is our shepherd; therefore we do not
have to want. Also, I have long taught that Spirit will make the crooked places
straight and lead us to our place of purpose. While I believed it all, I somehow got lost in the
shuffle of the American way and the capitalist stick and carrot. I lost sight
of who I was and who and what I was called to be. I no longer had time for the things that makes me thrive and buzz with
purpose and passion.
So, this blog post is somewhat of a return to one of my first loves: writing. This
is an interesting discovery because I never thought of writing as a path for
me, much less a gift. Thankfully, it was one of my professors during my PhD program who lifted the
idea of writing as vocation for me, one of the gifts in my wheelhouse. While I
had never considered it, when she brought it to my attention the suggestion
immediately resonated with me. With this first blog post in some years and in
the remembrance of that professor’s affirmation of my gifts (Barbara Mossberg),
I’d like to simply offer these thoughts:
1.
Get back to you. If you find yourself lost in
the busyness of life, in the pressures of “adulting” and/or the expectations
of others, PAUSE. Take a moment to recall, to remember who you really are, to embrace again that
which brings you the most joy, and that which feeds your soul…and then get back
to it!
2.
Give thanks for those who affirm you, love you,
acknowledge you, and confirm the God-gifts in you. Listen to them.
Humbly accept their love and affirmation. In doing so, it makes it so much
easier to be about God's plan for you (while shutting the haters up).
3.
Thirdly (and lastly for now), take some
time to love you. Physically, emotionally and spiritually, can honestly say
that you are living your best life? If not, don’t be overwhelmed by the idea of
turning your entire life inside-out. Rather, take one step at time. In the
words of Dr. King, “Take the first step
in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” One step at time and you can
take back control of your life.
This is not the end of our story; the best is not behind us,
it is ahead of us. I love you…for real! Thank you for reading and thank you for
walking this journey with me! And as always, please remember there are #bigthingscoming.
NOTE: If you’re new to the site it might be helpful to read
my first introductory post. Also, feel free to post your questions or comments
here and you can always reach out to me on Twitter @raycjordan using the hash
tag #bigthingscoming.
(Copyright,
2018, Ray Jordan) 
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