Moses, I heard what the people said to you, and I approve. 29 I wish they would always worship me with fear and trembling and be this willing to obey me! Then they and their children would always enjoy a successful life.

Some people will read that and think, “That is exactly what I needed to hear.” While others will read it and think, “I am not worshiping a God who I have to tremble in front of.”  Don’t Miss The Point! God wants to be first in your life because he loves you and wants what is best for you.  He doesn’t have to be, he wants to be.  When we put other things like money and worldly success in front of him we lose focus and our lives become unbalanced.  After we have put God first then everything else comes into perspective.  We see money as a tool not as a status symbol.  Our house becomes a home not an asset to be traded.

I think real success, the most important part of putting God first, is being able to be ourselves instead of trying to be someone we think the world wants us to be.

Are You Putting God First?  Are You Letting Him Lead You?

Castillo de San Marco St. Augustine Florida

I heard Bill Bennett  say that a couple of years ago and it has stuck with me.  When we were children we wanted everything we saw. We would beg our parents to buy this or that and many times if they could they would.  Other than the Star Wars toys, I don’t really remember all the things my parents bought me when I was a child.  I do remember going camping, fishing, hunting, and family trips.

As adults many of us have not grown up, I am included in that.  We want everything we see and if we can get it we do.  As a whole we have spent ourselves into a very bad place, and while this is not about our debt it can be applied.  At some point we must shed our childhood ways and begin to think like adults.  We have to stop buying everything in sight for us or our kids. When we focus on getting more stuff we enter the “Rat Race” and begin to live for the stuff, and not live a God centered life.

What will your children remember when they are grown.  Will they remember the time you spent with them or the things you bought them?  Will you be able to spend time with them when you are older or will you have to keep working to pay for your stuff?

I know this is a short post, and maybe I am just talking to myself.  If you have any thoughts on this I would love to hear them.

Image Via

The above question was posed by my youngest son after some friends had an invisible fence installed at their new home.  The question has stuck with me for a couple of weeks now and, me being me, I have pondered what some of the invisible fences look like in our lives.

Other People

One of the strongest barriers are other people.  We let others dictate our moods, our thoughts, and many times our jobs.  Many of the people in your life that put up the fences don’t even know they are affecting you so you live behind the fence by yourself while they are out having fun and roaming the neighborhood.  Don’t let others dictate your life, listen to your inner voice and break free.

Money

I wrote is not a rat race .  I called it the rat race then but if you are running around the yard behind the invisible fence of money, you are still not going anywhere. I know, you got a house and all the food you can eat, but are you really living?  Get out and share some time with your puppies.

Beliefs

This is a hard barrier to cross especially for people who live in the United States.  Your beliefs can separate you from others that can add to your life.  If you decide people who do not believe what you believe are all stupid or evil, your fence may be pretty strong.  The good news is that any fence can be dug up.  Go make a friend with someone who is out of your belief area. Go cut the cord and go run around the neighborhood.  Find out what other dogs are roaming around free and join them.

I don’t know what your invisible fence looks like or where it comes from.  What I do know is that if you do not do something about it you will never become the person you were created to be.

Seth Godin: Maybe You Need New Friends

I don’t know how many times I have heard this and it never stuck.  When you spend your time trying to be someone you’re not, you begin to hate what you are.  So many people go to jobs they hate every day because they are trying to keep up an appearance that they believe they need in order for people to like them.

If you will just be the person you are created to be then you will have more peace than a house or car or money can buy.

You know deep down inside you were created to do something big.  Whether that is raise a family, start a business, write a book, build a building, care for the sick, or any number of ten thousand things I could name.  You were created to do something.

I don’t know what you were created to do.  I just know you were.  Will that thing come to you overnight, I don’t know.  It took me ten years to figure out where I am supposed to be and it was the place I thought I needed to get away from.   You just need to start moving in the direction your small inside voice is leading. No it is not telling you to leave your spouse and family and run off to Jamaica with your secretary.  That is another voice and you need to get control of it.

DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB!

Let it pay for where you want to go.  You are going to need start-up capital or you may need to pay off those bills that are stifling you now.  Either way quitting your day job will only cause unneeded discomfort and hurt.  Once you know where you are going the day job becomes easier and less stifling because you are free to be yourself in your calling.  Eventually your calling will become a full-time job and you can guide it from there.

Tell me what you think.

Steve

Found this post today Feb 23, 2010 and wanted to add it to this post.  I think it adds to what I am saying here.  The Authenticity Bubble

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Here is a great example of what I am saying.

• “I quit my job” applause (37signals.com)