Developing a Greater Vision

Being a principal's son has its definite disadvantages. For example, your peers tend to think that you get special treatment because of your father's position. The jeering doesn't stop when the school day ends or at non-school related events, no it continues on into other realms of life.

There was one such individual in my class that was one of the ones who dished out most of the jeers. It caused me to really grow to dislike him, even though I would try to let it go most of the time. In my youth, I even "dreamed" that when I grew up, I would show up on his doorstep and beat him up for all that he dished out. Well, that "dream" never came true, for various reasons. However, I had to make the choice to get on with life or fall victim of my circumstance. This brings us to this week's quote...

People who consider themselves victims of their circumstances, will always remain victims unless they develop a greater vision for their lives. ~ Stedman Graham

As I mentioned, that "dream" never came true for a few reasons. One, this boy turned out to be a user of drugs. Which I began to feel sorry for him rather than hurt. Two, I was a Christian and this was no way to solve the problem. Lastly, I knew that my life was going in a positive direction and his was going in a negative one.

People who feel the sense of entitlement tend to fall victim of their circumstances. They go through life waiting for something better, rather than putting forth the effort of achieving a goal.

Vision, in life, is so important to see where you want to go. Have you had a string of bad luck due to poor choices or the environment where you live? Make realistic goals and envision where you want to be, praying throughout the process about how you are going to get there. You may not see the "end", but God can do amazing things when you give it to Him, letting Him work. We have our part to do as much as we can to be proactive in achieving those goals.

Looking forward to the future...

Envision Your Bridge

It is fourth and goal with one second left on the clock and you are on the two yard line. A field goal isn’t enough to secure the win. This is the biggest game of your life, how do you respond?

You are informed that guests are coming over for dinner and it is five 0’clock. You have dinner planned out for your family, but you don’t have enough for eight more people. These are some of the most important dinner guests you’ve had over in a long time, how do you respond?

Whether it is a game situation or a life situation, being able to look ahead and know how you’d respond to a “bridge” you will come to is important. That brings us to this week’s quote…

"We are told never to cross a bridge until we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have 'crossed bridges' in their imagination far ahead of the crowd." ~ Anonymous

Not all bridges are emergency situations but all bridges represent an opportunity to cross. Some bridges a wide and sturdy, easy to cross. Where others are small and rickety, more difficult to cross.

Life is much the same way. Some opportunities are clear and easily understood, making it easy to decide. Where other decisions are unclear and difficult to understand, making it difficult to decide.

Changes that have taken place in this world have been by people who are visionary. People who wanted something different and were able to see it before they arrived at the “bridge”. What do you want to see changed? What do you foresee as “bridges” you may need to cross in order to create the change? Start planning ahead and looking forward to what you will find on the other side!

Imagining my bridge…