Becoming Virtuous

Truth be told, some touch raw spots in my soul and I would prefer not to grapple with them. Trying to remember growth only happens on the other side of comfort. Here’s the distilled version, in case they encourage others:

• Community is about pitching in and helping cover for each other’s weaknesses
• We all get in a mess of trouble that we can’t get out of on our own. We need others to help us.
• Forgiveness is a choice. You can’t heal and move on until you forgive.
• It’s the days of struggle and adversity that shape who we are
• The greatest story ever is the Gospel, and it changes lives
• God has everything happen for a reason. Some of the most painful stories have the most power.
• Don’t be afraid to share your story
• This life is not about us. Jesus is the author and the main character.
• God called and Moses responded. Have I averted my attention? Have I responded in awe?
• I will get messed up if I try to find identity in the wrong place. My identity should be solely based on my relationship with Jesus.
• I can understand my God given abilities/gifts, but be afraid to mess things up and not use them. I need to take ownership of how God gifted me and walk in that gifting for His glory.
• I need to understand and walk in the season before me
• I need to exchange excuses for God’s assurances. Moses made excuses, and every time, God answered with Himself.
• Sometimes I have to work at my calling, it may not come easy.
• To be powered up to endure I must be filled with the Holy Spirit, live in community, spend time with God, and realize my story is not for me — it’s for God’s glory and the blessing of others.
• The greatest success in life is being surrendered to God
• Belief shapes our values. And our foundational beliefs inform all others.
• Don’t fake it until you make it. Live it until you believe it.
• When I rebel in one area of my life, it often leads to a snowball effect of destruction on all areas of my life.
• Sometimes God calls us to not work in our gifts to teach us something
• Begin with the end in mind, but don’t let the destination delay the journey
• Sharing my faith is about showing up and loving others
• Every problem contains a seed of opportunity
• “Determinedly demolish some things; determinedly discipline others.”
• Don’t give God a false dichotomy of options. Let Him lead.
• Decisions help us start, discipline compels us to finish
• My hard story is God’s redemption story. There can’t be redemption without imperfection.
• Redemption comes through connection to God and others
• Do I trust God to hold the pen of my story? Will I trust God that He will redeem my story? Will I let God work through my hard story to share His greater story?
• Lives are shaped by relationships, which are shaped by conversations
• Give people the benefit of the doubt. Believe the best.
• Don’t assume someone else’s story
• Be willing to have God speak into the excuses that keep me from doing something that makes me rely on God
• God meets us in all the broken places and redeems the good and the bad
• If I don’t move into the next chapter ready to make the most of every opportunity, I have an enemy who’s ready to make sure I make the least
• Don’t miss now. There is ministry all around.
• The purpose of my life is pointing to the most important story. Do this by pursing Jesus, spiritually investing in others, and living a life of compassion for the lost.