Self-Development
For many years, my self-development revolved around several themes. Balance and simplicity helped me become more stable. Focus aimed me toward stable growth. Connection and relationships slowly became priorities.
Even with the significant time spent in these areas, I’m acutely aware of my need for more balance and simplicity, more focus and growth, and more connection in my relationships. Within these themes, God’s word provided the truth necessary for living a Christian life.
- Proverbs 16:9 led to reflections about commitment, control, and expectations, among others.
- Psalm 1:1-3 helped adjust my vision, challenge my faith, and understand theology.
- Isaiah 43:18-19 gave me visions of the impossible, the desire to change, the power of hope, and much more as my life verse for many years.
This is not the first time I’ve considered life themes in this space. In fact, I find it helpful to refocus on these themes every so often. This reflection also helps me analyze my systems and make needed adjustments.
Life this side of heaven is one of progress toward perfection. Amidst all my efforts of self-development – really, driving it – God faithfully guides me by his word and his Holy Spirit.
Comfortably Uncomfortable
Much of the reason I wrote Comfortably Uncomfortable, my first book now available for purchase, was to share some of these areas of self-development. Doing so with vulnerability stretched my comfort zones in unexpected ways as well as helped me once again return to the threads running through my life.
God has faithfully guided me all along the way. I didn’t always see the beauty, especially during the hardest challenges, but I can look back and see it now.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
With this look back, God refocuses me on what’s coming, too. He reminds me that he’s got even more beauty planned. I don’t always know what he’s doing. I don’t understand his ways. Yet, I find peace knowing that everything is eventually beautiful.
