Life Steps

So, what do you want to do with your life?

This is a question many graduates are getting this time of year. I remember being asked this numerous times throughout my life, often when it was tranistion time. But this week, as I started reading a new book, my thoughts on this question have changed a little.

Istead of asking it just during times of transition (such as graduation, job change, family change, retirement, etc.) what if we asked this question of ourselves every day.

What do you want to do with your life? What are your goals, your dreams, your aspiriations?

Sometimes we get stuck in what we are doing, and we start to miss the joy of life. Sometimes it is because of a certain situation, sometimes it is because we have tunnel vision and cannot see the bigger picture. There are times when we need to expand our vision, take a good look at ourselves, and ask if we are using the gifts we have been given in the best possible way.

So today, how about a little inventory on life. Lets call it - faith steps for life steps.

Step one - what are you passionate about? What do you love to do? What has God hard-wired into your DNA that is fun and enjoyable? Finding our passion is essential when we are looking forward to what we wnat to do in our lives, for our passions should help show the steps we are going to take.

Step two - how can we do what we are passionate about? How can we live out our passions in the world in ways that are productive, honor God, and help us take more steps in our lives. Example - a friend of mine loves music and loves recording music. He has done this for years as a hobby. Recently he decided to follow hiw passion, and in his free time started his own business as a recording studio. The goal is to eventually have a full-time job in this recording studio and live his passion every day.

Step three - what steps do we need to take to start living out our passions? Is there a financial aspect - then how do we sav the money to get there? Is there an educational aspect, then how do we get the education we need? Is there a volunteer aspect (talk we me, and we will find the right "opportunity":).

Step four - the courage to move forward - this is a tough one. It means that we need to take a risk and try to do what we love. It may not be easy, but the end rewards could be amazing.

Through it all - remember to keep talking to God about it. God blesses us with so many gifts and passions in our lives, and he is concerned about how we use these gifts. So keep praying, talking with God, and asking his guidance.

May we all find our passions, and boldly live them out in the world.