“The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them.” Albert Einstein

How adverse are you to complexity? 

Life is not ever going to have a linear development line. No matter how hard you wish for it or want it—life is organic. It grows at its own pace and in ways we cannot predict. So, don’t waste your energy and expertise. The wishing and wanting is wasting your best mental energy and will be lost in the smoke of it all and ultimately disappear. There will be seasons with clarity and seasons of confusion. You’re going to be incredibly competent on one day and the next day lying through your teeth trying not to lose face.  One day you’re going to wake up and wonder, how did I get here?

Where is here, for you? Maybe you’re wondering about your personal relationships like your marriage, with your children or with your parents. You may be in the middle and the complexity of adapting to the needs of spouses, elderly parents or college aged young adults has your bank account wiped out and your emotional state is resentful, hurt and you’re feeling disrespected. Vocationally you could be all over the map. So, let’s say you’re really good at your job—and the others in your office notice. But, you’re the odd one! They all do just enough to get by, call off from work at the last minute and take ’self-care’ breaks which makes you absolutely want to vomit hot lava. Spiritually, the idea of solitude or listening for God is alien to you and you discover yourself thinking, if not saying it out loud, “I am just not into God at this point.” Maybe you wonder secretly, if you ever really believed any of that nonsense anyway.

I talk with a lot of people every day. What they tell me is that they’re frustrated. Frustrated with the church, family, kids, the country, politics, the education system, the current social issues that don’t seem to find any resolution and any number of things that are incredibly personal and important. So, I wonder: could this frustration be good for us? Remember... how you respond to situations makes all the difference in the world. Because what you may be wrestling with isn’t outside forces at work against you, other people competing for your piece of the pie or the so-called social demands of this world. You might be wrestling with your own internal definition of success. And the life you’re living isn’t the successful life you dreamed about or deserve. 

“Being rich is not about having a lot of money. Being rich is about having lots of options.” Chris Rock

Maybe your self-worth isn’t wrapped up in your address, bank account or retirement savings. Check in with yourself—be honest. Do you think of rich people with contempt or have certain attitudes about people in powerful positions who achieved financial success? When was the last time you thought about downsizing your spending habits to live on less or upscaling your efforts to achieve greater financial success in order to provide better security?  Did you search for another job which could put you into a new environment, but would ultimately be a lateral move…at best? Were you taught that making money was self-indulgent and evil? There is no nobility in poverty, friends. None. For those of you who want more, you know the demands that are required and deep down it can feel unsustainable and unacceptable to you. So, what does success mean to you? Where are you most alive? Do you even know?

I want you to consider something super important to your future and who you are as a follower of Jesus Christ. You are not here on your own terms. You are here for a very specific purpose. A purpose that you did not choose and you cannot define. The harder you work against it, the more tension is created. You’ll be frustrated and unhappy. Mental dexterity is a key for your success whether you’re working at Dairy Queen or Google. Options create mental space where you can think more clearly. God can impact your mental space with His thoughts and plans. All of the sudden you’re bombarded by the possibilities that await you and you’ve rediscovered the art of being curious. Curiosity is the springboard for creativity. Creativity is God’s very best attribute in my book. It’s what The Triune community does best—create. Look around you at Creation, do you see anything magnificent? 

What can we learn from Joseph?

I heard someone say that Joseph is the type of guy that could fall into a pile of (you know what) and come out smelling like a rose. Maybe. Mental dexterity and his ability to pivot were certainly crucial to his success. Joseph remained humble before God and open to options that were set before him. Joseph tapped into God’s creative power, gave glory to God and was successful at every level of his development—whether in his father’s eyes, with his brothers, as a slave or in a leadership position. The key to Joseph’s success had more to do with living into God’s dream and fulfilling his role in advancing the Promise made in Genesis 12. When faced with the opportunity to achieve greater levels of challenge, Joseph had a clear definition of success. Do you?

1. Take fifteen minutes to write down your definition of success. Consider what you are not willing to sacrifice in order to have money, status and power or to otherwise succeed?

2. Examine your relationship with money. Are you stingy? Do you stifle money-making abilities? Do you disrespect money?

3. Explore your reasons why you might be ambivalent or anxious about moving ahead; such as you’re in the wrong place or career or fearful of what the next step requires.

4. Your natural skills are bound to be less leveraged if you’re in a position that does not involve what you love to do. What do you love to do? What makes you come alive?

5. What is God’s dream for you? Have you asked? 

You are here for a greater purpose. Discover it.

“Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” Genesis 50: 19-20 NLT

Pastor Jen