What is it that you want to accomplish?

Is there something that you want to change?

Are you willing to put in the work to make what you want happen?

Every big change, every goal that you reach starts with small victories stacked on top of each other.

Are you willing to commit 10-15 minutes a day working on what you are passionate about becoming or doing?

Maybe it starts with doing something 2-3 times this week, or committing to not missing two days in a row.

Maybe you need to adjust what you are doing to continue to get some personal wins. The most important thing to do is to get up and start moving toward the goal.

Here is a way I have adjusted my attempt at getting some personal wins in the Iowa winter. I used to have no problem getting over 10,000 steps per day as an Athletic Director, no matter what season it was. My new job, which I work remotely from home most days, makes it a bit more difficult.

Because of that, for the next couple of months I changed my goal and cut my daily goal in half, and am after 5,000 steps a day, most of those coming on our treadmill.

It seems like a drastic cut, but I would rather get some personal daily wins and change the goal, than keep the same goal I have in warmer weather and continually come up short.

One of my big goals this year is to participate in my first ever 5K. I am going to try and stack PW on top of PW, even if the steps are a little less. The goal is daily personal wins right now.

Whatever it is you want to do commit and start getting some personal wins, make the changes you may need to get them, and then stay at it, pursuing those personal wins that can lead to real, and positive, changes for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. What adjustments can you make to your goals to ensure you experience daily personal wins, considering your current circumstances?

2. Are you willing to adapt your goals to better align with your present situation, even if it means taking smaller steps towards your larger objectives?

How you live your life serves as a testimony to others. Some may deliver a sermon with their words, but we all deliver one with how we live our life.

In this passage Paul is urging the Christians at the church in Thessolinica to live their life in such a way that pleases God, as well as displays their godly character.

In the beginning of Chapter 4 he tells us to “abstain from sexual immorality”, and then speaks to how we can show brotherly love.

He instructs the people to lead a peaceful life, mind their own business, and to be industriousness in how they work. In other words, don’t expect others to provide for them.

So then, let’s get personal. Is there something in that list in Chapter 4 that you may need to be better at?

Something you could use some daily personal wins with? Don’t try to do any of it on your own. You can’t do it on your own.

Ask God for the strength, commitment, and resolve to change what needs changed. He promised he will send a helper in the Holy Spirit to help you if you just ask (John 14:26).

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. Reflecting on Chapter 4, are there specific aspects such as abstaining from certain behaviors or practicing brotherly love that you feel you could improve on for your personal growth?

2. In your pursuit of positive change, have you considered seeking guidance and strength from a source beyond yourself, such as asking for help from a higher power as mentioned in John 14:26?

Do you remember the “old days” when you had to get up and physically change the channel on the TV that got three channels, plus public television?

If you were a kid in the house, you were the remote. You can now use your smart phone, or even tell Alexa to run the TV.

The TV viewing experience has changed a lot in the last 50-60 years, but changing the course of your life has not.

Don’t like where you’re at, what you’re doing, or how you’re doing it?

It’s really just like the old days. Get up and change it. Nothing will change unless you get up and do it.

There isn’t an app or remote to make change easy. The change you want is up to you and what you choose to do to make it happen.

Make the effort to change what you want to change. It’s the only way.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. Are there things you need to change in your life?
2. What steps, even though they may be difficult, do you need to start taking to make?

James‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬
“Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

At first glance it looks like James is telling you to live a lifestyle of despair and sadness, but that is not the case.

He is referring to what your response should be to repenting of how you may have been living for a period of time.

Have you ever known and realized you were wasting time doing things that didn’t really matter?

How about things that were not good for you and kept you from being all that God has in store for you?

When you realize, and then admit, that you have wasted so much time, energy, and effort pursuing things that were worthless it should cause you to mourn as you think about the things you missed when you turned your back on God.

God has not changed. He still has plans for you. He always has. He never gives up on you. It would be a different feeling if it was past tense (had) instead of a present tense (has).

Changing your pursuit back to the things that truly matter will bring you back to living the life God has intended you to. Abundantly (John 10:10) and victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. How does the concept of mourning over wasted time and turning back to God resonate with your own life experiences?
2. Reflect on a specific moment when you realized the value of redirecting your efforts toward meaningful pursuits and how it impacted your overall well-being.

Change is hard. Some days it starts first thing in the morning as you try to get out of bed on a cold winter morning, especially this January in Iowa. 🥶

Deb used to live in an old farmhouse. She said it was so comfortable under the warmth of the blankets. She knew that the moment she get out from under them it was going to be a shock to her system and was going to be uncomfortable for awhile.

But what eventually happens when you get out from under the comfort of the blankets like Deb did?

You get used to being up, your body forgets about being tucked under the comfort of the blankets (hopefully), and you move on with your day.

The moment you accept the fact that change needs to happen, is going to happen, and that being uncomfortable for awhile is part of the process, the sooner you can move on with whatever changes may need to happen.

To grow, to be better today than you were yesterday, you need to accept the comfort in being uncomfortable. If you are uncomfortable you have an opportunity to be better.

Embrace being uncomfortable. It’s the only way to truly experience the changes that you need and desire.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. Is there a difficult change that needs to happen in your life so you can grow and move forward?

2. What steps can you take today to begin pursuing the change(s) you need to make?

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
…“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

You want and pursue many different things in your lifetime. Don’t get me wrong. They aren’t all bad and many times have positive benefits if your atittude, and heart, are in the right place.

Before Jesus quoted this scripture the disciples were asking who was the greatest among them. It’s nice to feel needed, successful, and good at your job, or other hobbies that you have, but that is not the most important things for you to pursue.

Jesus said that we need to pursue being humble, being teachable like children, and in Mark 9 He says you need to be a “servant of all”.

In a world driven by ambitions and accomplishments, Jesus’ call to embrace childlike humility serves as a timeless and a sometimes counter-cultural message.

Going against what culture may view as “normal” can be uncomfortable, but uncomfortable is necessary for growth, but more importantly, it is what is needed and required by God.

As you navigate the complexities of life, may you heed the words of Matthew 18:3, turning away from some of the self-centered pursuits and embrace the simplicity and purity of a childlike faith.

By prioritizing a humble and teachable heart, you align yourself more and more with what God calls you to be, and that is worth pursuing.

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. How can you intentionally cultivate a childlike humility in your daily life, considering the pressures and aspirations that often drive us toward success and recognition?

2. Reflecting on Jesus’ emphasis on being a “servant of all” in Mark 9, how might your interactions and relationships change if you prioritize humility and a willingness to learn, echoing the qualities of a child, in your roles at work, within your family, and in your community?

Next week we begin to dive more deeply into the content of “The Pursuit”.

A bi-weekly journey every Monday and Thursday, where I share writings containing leadership insights and personal development wisdom. Dive into the tapestry of these reflections, intricately woven with scriptures that resonate with the essence of the word we are exploring.

While I hope that the leadership and personal development thoughts help you to grow, the beauty of the Word of God is that it speaks to each person differently.

The thoughts that I will be sharing is how I feel it is speaking to me at the moment of my writing, and how it ties into the pursuit of the topic we are exploring.

What really interests me is how the writing my speak to you. I invite you to share any thoughts with me at any time.

In addition, at the end of each writing you will find some questions to ponder and pursue as you continue on your own journey. Feel free to use them as you see fit. My hope and prayer is that we will both grow through this pursuit.

Join me in this multi-dimensional exploration for our growth and enrichment as we pursue the following:

Change – the act or instance of making or becoming different.

Growth – a progression from simpler to more complex forms.

Moments – an appropriate time for doing something; an opportunity.

Purpose – a person’s sense of resolve or determination.

Success – the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

Excellence – matching your practice with your potential.

Strength – being able to withstand great force or pressure.

Dreams – ambition, aspiration, hope

Thanks for joining me in “The Pursuit.”

If you have thoughts you want to discuss or explore more feel free to reach out and let’s connect.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. As you embark on your own journey of pursuit, how might the provided questions at the end of each writing serve as catalysts for personal reflection and growth? What is an intentional way you can use them?

2. In the multi-dimensional exploration of “The Pursuit,” which of the mentioned aspects (Change, Growth, Moments, Purpose, Success, Excellence, Strength, Dreams) resonates with you the most, and why?

“How many have laid waste to your life when you weren’t aware of what you were losing, how much was wasted in pointless grief, foolish joy, greedy desire, and social amusements—how little of your own was left to you. You will realize you are dying before your time!”
–Seneca

In the pursuit of more, something must become less. I have made the decision that my less right now is social media.

I want to emphasize that my decision to step away from social media is a personal choice aligned with my current pursuits—strengthening my relationship with God, more focus on oneness with Deb, expressing myself through writing, and continuous learning.

I’m not choosing that to draw any attention to myself. It’s not about judgement or bragging; it’s about focusing on what matters most to me. Just like everyone, I’m on my unique journey, making choices that align with my passions.

Psalm 57:1 resonates with me, emphasizing the call to fulfill one’s purpose. This choice is my way of actively participating in that journey, not to boast but happy to clarify when asked.

I know there are some things that I will miss on social media, but I am confident it won’t compare with what I may miss if I don’t, and that excites me.

I urge you to honestly evaluate anything impeding your goals and make decisions in line with your objectives. Identify and consider removing any obstacles preventing you from fulfilling your purpose. The next move is up to you.

Join me in pursuing more.

Questions To Ponder and Pursue

1. What is your chief pursuit right now?

2. Do you need to say “no” to something so you can say “yes” to something more fully?