Self-improvement.
A testament often heralded but fraught with peril. Indeed, we should strive to work on ourselves, but the reflection of my soul once revealed a man I neither desired to be nor to present to the world.
Improving the frail, fearful, and broken shell I once was, projecting a façade of confidence unconsciously, was not the answer. No, that man needed to die. And die, he did.
In some cases, the situation is so dire that replacement, not repair, is the only viable option. Yet, this does not negate the principle that everything is redeemable; everyone is capable of change.
It doesn’t require mastery to effect this transformation. It requires discovery.
The more VALUE you bring into the world, the less freedom you have to sabotage your life because your purpose becomes a lifeline for others. Picture this: a single drop of water falling into a still pond, creating ripples that extend far beyond its point of impact. Similarly, our actions and purpose send waves that touch lives we might never meet. This truth underscores a profound reality: as our influence grows, so does our responsibility. Our actions no longer affect just ourselves; they ripple out, impacting the lives of those who depend on our purpose, our vision, and our very being.
Meeting people is where life happens, I believe, in its purest form. At this point, I realize that just as I have been inspired and in awe of others, they, too, have been inspired and in awe of me. This mutual inspiration is the essence of human connection. We are only special in our unique ability and interest in the lives of those around us… which makes us part of something greater: purpose, legacy, movement. I am often inspired.
Yet, this dependency from others can morph into unhealthy codependency if not navigated with wisdom and discernment. Consider the overbearing parent who, in their desire to protect, stifles the growth and independence of their child. It is here that we must lead from the ROOT of autonomy. Autonomy does not imply isolation but rather a well-defined sense of self that establishes clear boundaries with everyone around us. Imagine a garden: each plant thrives best when given its own space to grow, with clear boundaries to prevent entanglement and allow each one to flourish. These boundaries are not barriers but bridges to healthier, more authentic relationships. They delineate where we end and others begin, fostering an environment where mutual respect and individual growth coexist.
This is where strong interdependence and accountability are forged. It is within this space of healthy boundaries and self-awareness that intimate life thrives. Think of a dance: two partners moving in harmony, each aware of their own steps yet perfectly in sync with the other. This thriving intimacy is not confined to romantic relationships but extends to all forms of human connection. It is the bedrock upon which trust is built and upon which transformation occurs.
For the believer, this autonomy is the ROOT of our purpose, the POWER of our being, the CONTROL of our intention, and the PLAYFULNESS found in the joy of being who we are without fear, shame, or regret. Our faith informs and enriches this autonomy, grounding it in a higher purpose and a deeper sense of belonging. Imagine a tree rooted deeply in rich soil: its stability and growth come from its roots, but it reaches out, providing shade, fruit, and shelter to the world around it.
This is the abundant life shared with others. It is a life marked by the freedom to be authentically ourselves while embracing the responsibility that comes with our influence. It is a life where joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated state of being, born out of the assurance of our place in the world and our impact on it. Picture a lighthouse standing firm on the shore: it is grounded and unwavering, providing guidance and safety to all who navigate the turbulent waters.
This is what Jesus reveals as the heart of the good report of His rescue. His message is not just one of personal salvation but of communal transformation. Through His teachings and example, we learn that our lives are not meant to be lived in isolation but in vibrant, life-giving relationships with others. Imagine a mosaic: each piece, unique and individual, coming together to create a beautiful and unified work of art.
WE GET TO LIVE TOGETHER in this mighty way until we all see Christ face-to-face. This togetherness is not just a future hope but a present reality. It is the essence of the Kingdom of God, here and now. It is in our shared lives, our mutual support, and our collective growth that we experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised. Picture a community garden: each person contributes, each person benefits, and the collective effort results in a bountiful harvest that nourishes all.
In this understanding, self-improvement transcends the individual and becomes a communal endeavor. Our growth, our discoveries, and our transformations are not just for our benefit but for the betterment of all those we touch. We live not just for ourselves but for each other, finding our highest purpose in the service and upliftment of those around us. Imagine a tapestry: each thread, no matter how small or large, is essential to the beauty and strength of the whole.
Thus, the journey of self-improvement, seen through this lens, is not a solitary path but a shared pilgrimage. It is a journey marked by mutual discovery, shared joys, and collective victories. It is a testament to the interconnectedness of our existence and the profound truth that we are better together.
Discovery, not Mastery. The Faith that Lives is one that Grows, Learns, and, most of all, Loves!
- Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
- Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
- Ephesians 4:22-24: “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
- Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
- Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
- Proverbs 27:17: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-14: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.”
- John 15:12-13: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
- 1 Peter 4:10-11: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
- Romans 12:10: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
- Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
- Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
- 1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
- Acts 2:44-47: “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
- Colossians 3:14: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
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