I am ramping up my online material to help you find your purpose and need you to do something. Would you please go to my website and take (or retake) the free purpose assessment found on the homepage. Thousands have taken it over the years, and I have not done a good job of follow up. That is about to change, so don't miss out. Take the free assessment today. And now, let's talk about the status quo in your life, work or ministry.
You know what the status quo is. It's what you already have, already know and are familiar with. It may be a mess but it's your mess and it is safe, even if it's dysfunctional. You know where the problems are, how people respond, what doesn't work. It may not work, it may be a mess, but it's your mess and it's safe - or so you think.
The problem with the status quo is that it requires a decision on your part to keep it, but you may not see it as a decision. Let me give you an example. You have a chance to start a business or take a new job. Yet there are so many unknowns, so your fear kicks in and you identify all the reasons why not to take the step. You think you have not made a decision, decision not to go forward. In actuality, you have made another decision, and that was to preserve, to perpetuate the mess, the dysfunction, which is your status quo.
One question that can help you sort through the maze of options as you consider the new thing, some change in your life is this: If your status quo didn't exist, would you work to create it? If you weren't in your job and knew all that you know today about the people and the work, would you take that job again? If the answer is no, you are in the wrong place! Yet the pull of the familiar may keep you from making a change because it's a mess, but at least it's your mess.
There is a cost attached to perpetuating the status quo. You may not think so and you may not see it as such, but it's true. The problem is you cannot fully understand what you are losing in future gain because you are focusing on present fears. So it's safer, you sleep better when you hold onto the mess because at least it's your mess. There's little faith in the status quo, for it seems to perpetuate itself. You can hope all you want that your mess will change, but until you change, your mess won't.
There is no use seeking purpose or pursuing goals if, at the end of the day, you are not going to mess with your mess. If you are ready to go where you have never been, however, then you can abandon the status quo for the status new. That's scary but it's an adventure that God takes right along with you. If you are ready to mess with your mess, if you are ready for God to mess with your mess, then start by identifying why you are so attached to the status quo and face your fears. See that prolonging the status quo is a decision that is costing you something, perhaps more than the change you fear ever would. When you are ready to go, God will go with you. Thanks, and have a blessed week!
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ASSESSMENT: Don't forget to take two minutes to complete the free purpose assessment found on my website home page. I promise to do a better job of helping you go forward to change your status quo from that point.
NEW BOOKS: I have two new books for your consideration. One is the second edition of Strictly Business; the other is my latest daily devotional The Leadership Walk.
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