Courage For Purpose

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. (1 Chronicles 28:20 NASB)

Living for a purpose takes a lot of courage. As a professional coach, I often strike fear in the hearts of my clients when I encourage them to voice their life goals and aspirations. Some people are afraid to explore the emotions surrounding a life purpose and thus never fully engage in the process. Others, once they discover their purpose get overwhelmed and fearful because the discovery prompts life change.

I wonder what Solomon thought when David told him he was to build a house for God. For GOD. I wonder if panic coursed through His veins as he considered the magnitude of the task and whether or not he could get it right.  I bet he was scared to death.

Yet through his fear he heard the words of his wise father King David, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear…for the LORD God, my God, is with you.” David knew fear and David knew God’s ability to provide. He also knew that one of the best ways to conquer fear was to just start doing. David encouraged his son with the voice of experience.

Solomon knew his father’s God and knew his victories through God. Eventually, he built one of the most magnificent temples in world for God!

We too, can achieve great things when we trust God’s provision for our lives when we are overwhelmed and afraid. What big dream has you shaking? Think of that fear as an opportunity to do great things through God. Be strong and courageous, and act. Take one step toward it today and watch what God can do!

What have you done to overcome fear?  What will you do today to move forward? Share your thoughts in a comment below.

New Beginnings for a New Year

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. – Gen 1:1-2

 

There is just something about starting a new year that provides fresh motivation.  Whether it is the symbolism of leaving the past behind or the anticipation of what the future year holds, nonetheless, I look forward to hitting the ground running toward new and exciting things.

 

As God started with a clean slate of creation, similarly, we have an opportunity to do the same on January 1 of each year.  Just as most businesses close out their books at the year-end, we too can close the books on the past year of our lives.   We all have the opportunity to start with a clean slate or blank canvas.

 

Each year for me, the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a time of reflection and refocus.  I revisit my successes and failures and resolved to change some things for the coming year.   This week, I updated both personal and professional goals and am ready to start painting on the blank canvas of 2009. 

 

I like fresh starts and second chances.  I like creating something out of nothing and even fashioning a new thing from the broken pieces of an old thing.  The start of a new year gives all of us a chance to begin in with the things in our lives we can control.  

 

What are your goals for 2009?  Do you have a particular theme or emphasis?  How will you build on your past successes?  What will you do to remove the obstacles in your path?  Don’t forget to involve God in your plans.  Not only can he help set the direction for your life, He will be by your side as you progress toward those plans you design with Him.  2009 is here.  Let’s get started, shall we?

 

Dear Heavenly Father, please reveal to me the path you wish for me to take as I move forward one step at a time.  Show me Your way.  I hold up 2009 to you with anticipation of new and exciting things.  Your power to create and restore is amazing to me and I’m thankful in advance for what you will accomplish.  Make me into the servant for You that You desire and deserve.  Amen.

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

 

Pruning the Vine

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1-2 NKJV)

Pruning.  Tree experts know the importants of the process.  They cut off seemingly healthy branches of a tree in order for the tree to grow stronger and fuller, bearing more fruit than before.  It seems strange to me that the process works, but it does. 

Jesus uses a similar metaphor with a grapevine and applies it to our lives.   When we are in His will, bearing fruit (good character, soul-winning, edifying the body of Christ) for Him, we will get pruned from time to time.  When God sees that we are doing some things right, he starts cutting away some of the excess "branches" in our lives to make way for His master plan - a bigger plan - to unfold.  He removes some of the good in our lives - a ministry, a relationship, a hobby - to give us time for the best He wants us to achieve.  It is not very fun to get pruned.  However, the long-term effects are worth it.

Keep in mind that being pruned by God is equivalent to being disciplined by God.  While both may involve some pain, pruning is not accompanied by a sin in our lives needing to be eliminated.  If you are going through a painful time, ask God to reveal to you an area in which you need to change.   If God doesn't reveal one to you, you may be in the pruning process.  Thank Him for His faithfulness in trusting you to participate in His plan and stay close to Him.  He will reveal the bigger picture one step at a time.

For further thought:

• What is God trying to prune away from your life? 
• What are you trying to hold on to that might be keeping you from God's greater plan for your life?
• Do you have a Life Purpose Statement? 

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

What Does a Life Coach Do?

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. - 1 Cor 9:24 NIV

Since I've started down the career path of coaching, I have to say that I love every minute of it.  It is truly my passion to help other "runners" run in such a way as to get the prize -- attaining their God-given purpose in life. 

Following is a YouTube video featuring Christopher McCluskey, my instructor during my coaching training.  He addresses the five roles of a Christian Life Coach very eloquently here.  A coach, especially a Christian one, can help you run your race of life so as to attain the prize.  In a nutshell, they catch your passion and run alongside you toward it.  What God-sized goal is out there waiting for you to reach?

Now for the video:

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Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.