I used to think that I had to grow up and be something “big and important” like a doctor or lawyer. Why? Because American culture made me think that prestigious professions are the only kind of work that are meaningful and make an impact. Yet, on the Race, God has been speaking to me about what a truly successful life is. He’s dug up all the lies that I’ve internalized as my own dreams and replaced them with truths of His great love and plan for me.
Lie 1: I shouldn’t waste my smarts and talent on something that doesn’t bring in a lot of money, power, or prestige. I cannot count how many times I’ve heard, “You’ve got too much going for you Sharion. Don’t you want to go to law school or something like that? You don’t want to be just a missionary.”
Truth: This is a worldly notion of success. My gifts and talents do not make me worthy of any particular job or task. They are not my own. Every skill and accomplishment is from and belongs to God. I have them so that in the end I can use them to bring Him glory. Whatever He calls me to do with my life, faithfully carrying it out is the highest honor and privilege that I can ever achieve (See Parable of the Three Servants Matthew 25:14-30).
Lie 2: I need to do something that will earn me a good reputation and associate my name with accomplishing great things.
Truth: This is pride at its finest. My life’s work should be to make God’s name known, not my own (Jer. 9:23-24). If no one ever recognizes or acknowledges me for what I do, then I should still do it with the same passion, dedication, and joy.
Lie 3: A good life is about having everything you ever wanted and living comfortably.
Truth: I’m not truly following Jesus if it doesn’t cost me something. Jesus said if any man wants to follow me, He must deny Himself, pick up His cross, and follow me (Mark 8:34). The cross was not a pretty thing for Jesus to bear and it won’t be for me either. Living the life Jesus wants for me and being in His will are guaranteed to require tough choices, sacrifices, and being ridiculed or misunderstood. I may never have earthly riches and even lack some basic comforts, but that’s how Jesus lived His life: seemingly with nothing but actually with everything. I need to be prepared to lay down, let go, and leave behind any and everything.
Lie 4: The way to save the world is to do something big like end hunger, eradicate poverty, or fix the education system. Small steps aren’t enough; I have to fix it all.
Truth: I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person (Kisses from Katie, pg. XIX..a GREAT book!). My job is to be obedient with the people and tasks that God places before me every day and choose to say yes to what He asks of me. I should work to physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually improve the life of one person at a time, and in this way, I make small changes that may sometimes lead to big change, but if it doesn’t, I will be content with the fact that helping and changing one life for the better is just as important in the kingdom of God as changing thousands of lives.
Lie 5: God’s plan for my life will involve doing something boring or that I don’t have a passion for.
Truth: If I’m truly rooted in and delighting myself in God, whatever I’m passionate about or want to pursue will be great because God will have given me the desire for a reason…for His reasons. I believe that according to Psalm 37:4, God doesn’t just give you the desires of your heart, He gives desires FOR your heart, and as you learn to press into Him and love Him deeply, He will line your heart up with His so that what you want and what He wants are one and the same. So that as you choose to live out the desires of your heart, you’ll find that you’re living out God’s desires too.
I feel so blessed that God is using the Race to reveal these deep, life-changing truths to me so that I can truly begin the work that He has predestined for me (Eph. 2:10).
If you have ever wondered what I’m “doing with my life” after the race, my current answer is: I don’t know but I know the one who knows, and I’m keeping my heart open to wherever He wants to lead me. I encourage you to do the same.
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