023 - Becoming a GOAT?

Arguably, the greatest basketball players of all time are Lebron James & Michael Jordan.

Which is the real GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is up for debate.

But, there is something they both had in common.

They both wore the #23.

So, naturally, since this is my 23rd newsletter, I had to talk about being a GOAT in your own right.

But, we're going to do it a bit differently.

You see, our goal shouldn't be to be a GOAT in comparison to others.

Instead, it should be to be the greatest you that you can be... (in accordance to Christ within you).

Here are some of the things I've learned (and am still learning on being great).

#1 - Be a lifelong student

Many stop learning after school and simply go with what society around them tells them to live.

They don't question many things and simply become a cog in the wheel of a culture and society that may be completely off the road.

So, they stay stuck in one place.

Become stuck in their ways, never changing.

Instead, we should seek to be meet people and life circumstances with curiosity and willingness to learn.

This will take you further than most are willing to venture.

The key to all of this is to FIRST learn how to hear from the Spirit of God. Then, TRUST the Spirit to LEAD you into all TRUTH.

This will make you WISE as you learn from things in life.

#2 - Choose Love Over Being Right

Many times, we have such a desire to be right, that we're not willing to give up our "rightness" for the sake of love.

In other words, we'll destroy relationships because we need to be right.

I've learned that being right is an illusion.

In trying to be right and proving your rightness, you're really already wrong.

Instead, focus on love.

Love is the only thing that will continue. It's all that matters.

It's the one thing that determines of you know God or not. By knowing Him, who is the very essence of love, you'll start loving the way He does.

This makes you great.

#3 - Don't fear failure

It's hard to affect the lives of those around us and build something awesome if we don't try things.

Dream big, have faith that God's got your back, then try things.

And, if it doesn't go the way you HOPE it would, try again until it does.

Failure is only a step in the right direction.

I've noticed that most believers stay stuck because they're so afraid of failing or getting it "wrong".

However, we must believe that God's ability at correcting our wrongs is greater than for our ability to mess it up.

As Jim Baker says, "God figured in your stupidity".

Try things as a child of God. Don't be like the prodigal son's older brother who did nothing.

#4 - Be Present Always

The people that most change the environment around them are those that are most present. (AND actually care about the people around them.)

One of the first lessons I learned from God was to be present.

In fact, being present in His presence is what first opened up an experience of His love that changed my life.

From there, I've been learning how to always live in the moment, to be truly present.

This means, you are aware of two things.

First, you're acutely aware of your surroundings, where you "FEEL" what is going on in the room. You can "FEEL" where the people are around you.

Second, you're acutely aware of WHAT God is doing in that same environment. This is what Jesus meant when He said that He only did and said what the Father did and said.

He was aware of God's presence in the room. Aware of His heart to love people.

This is why Jesus was MOVED by compassion for people. HE SAW GOD DO IT FIRST. Then, miracles happened. The environment changed.

You're called to do the same.

#5 - Pursue God's Heart

Ultimately, what makes a person great isn't their accomplishments, but rather WHERE their heart is.

If their heart is after God's own heart, they'll *accidently become great.

Just look at King David in the Bible.

He did some crazy stupid things (like sleep with Bathsheba, then kill her husband), but he was always after God's heart.

In the midst of his greatest mistakes, he was willing to submit to God and see the error of his ways.

And, while he received an 'punishment' from the mistake, God didn't hold the mistake against him.

He is still known as a man after God's own heart.

Become that person.

Do like David. Sit and write and listen to God.

You can see how David pursued God's heart in the Psalms.

He was super real with his struggles, but he always came back to a God perspective at the end.

Do the same.

Be completely honest and real with God. Then, change your perspective to His perspective.

This along will make you great.

Conclusion:

Being great isn't about your achievements.

It's about having an open heart and letting God mold that heart.

And, there's something funny that happens when you let God mold your heart.

You become great... naturally.

Like David, who was a "nobody" shepherd boy. God saw his heart and promoted him to King.

Follow that lead and you'll affect thousands of lives.