Not Accepting The Disjointed

Have you ever looked at yourself and felt disjointed from one piece of life to the other? It’s not that we are the same in every area, but if you think about what our life represents, then you either accept the disjointed view or tie up the loose ends and make sense of them.

For example, I’m an organized person, for the most part, and the worst of my life are those times when nothing seems to fit. You feel disorganized. That’s uncomfortable!
Equally, I’m a fighter, and if you put me on guard, I’ll come out swinging and have no regret about my actions. But you must learn what’s necessary to fight, and not every battle requires the same skill.
What I’m incredibly proud of knowing is that I’m a peacemaker. Come to me with a struggle, and I will focus on that calming influence required for the moment. But there are times when Peace requires a Fight…

See what I mean? It’s a feeling of being disjointed with each skill and ability, then determining what’s needed for the moment.

We are Uniquely Different!

Each of us is uniquely different. We are equally disjointed. Making sense of our skills, abilities, and focus, well, that’s where we struggle. Our approaches to avenues of life are unique. We guard our path with the way we choose to be. What works for me will not work for you. You have to understand your disjointed life.

Here’s my focus today. Patterns change due to the needs of the day or life experiences. Knowing who you are, what you are like, and how you flex between your worlds helps you comprehend how to keep improving.

Patterns Change

The one thing I know is that for me to conform to a pattern, then I must have a reason and it must make sense. Else, the pattern feels faulty.

To advance my career, I often felt like I was in a sports arena, and success was winning over the opponent, who was often my work partner or boss. It kept me growing and becoming, keeping my skills sharp, growing with technology instead of becoming a dinosaur, and watching the future for changes coming down the pike. Eventually, there is a reward for the win and a defeat for the loss.

However, change careers and patterns change. What’s needed now? Being a peacemaker is more critical, and so, I change. This is an easy change because it is part of my nature. Still, I need some more skills under my belt, so I take the steps necessary to acquire the skills, and that arena requires more organization. Bingo! My strengths and abilities switch around for the needs of the moment.

I ‘Yam What I ‘Yam

Maybe the disjointed view comes from not understanding who we are. Over the years, I’ve taken many personality and skills tests to help me understand my nature, my stress tolerance, and my abilities. I’m sure if you were to use them all simultaneously, these tests would probably all say the same thing but from differing philosophies.

When we understand who we are, maybe it’s easier to understand how to handle life. It was a famous line from the Popeye cartoon… I ‘Yam What I ‘Yam and that’s All that I Yam. (1933)

So, do these words really say “who I am”—organized, fighter, peacemaker? Well, they do not look like they belong together, right? I’ve added other features to these words. I internalize, think, perceive, plan. I get into trouble ready to do battle, but often learn the moment needs some peaceful resolutions instead.

Who Are You?

Have you ever taken the time to analyze your disjointed self and make sense of the puzzle? It’s a worthy investigative journey. The biggest concept needs to be knowing where you want to go and then learning how to become the person you need to be to make that goal a success.

“When you know why, then you’ll know your way.”
~Michael Hyatt

Maybe this is the biggest challenge we all face! Where are you headed? Do you know why? Can you be like Darren Hardy and disconnect from all the distractions that cannot do your destination any good?

Here’s My Thought Today

I’ve been reading The Jerusalem Chronicles by Bodie and Brock Thoene. Last night, it came to me that John the Baptist had a very peculiar calling and a path to take.

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’”
(John 1:23 NLT)

His calling led him down a narrow path. When the disciples gathered around Jesus, they learned their path would be equally demanding. They were Sheep among Wolves. (Matthew 10:16-20) Their work would be differently focused than John’s, but their goal was still the same. Tell about Jesus!

The Apostle Paul, when he was Saul of Tarsus, had an equally difficult life. There were constant trials (2 Corinthians 11:22-33), but this was his forte.

“…Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings,
as well as to the people of Israel.
And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
(Acts 9:15-16 NLT)

Our Paths Diverge and Merge

Essentially, our goals in life may be different. The audiences we reach are unique to each of us and our particular callings. But the bottom line? Our destination is hopefully the same. If we combine our strengths, then the result will be better. Our struggles will be more significant if we stay solo in our battle.

The key? Disjointed, we are alone. Jointed together we can accomplish so much more! Since I cannot truly be “all things to all men” so that by each of our own unique callings and abilities we may be able to reach and save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)

It is the Apostle Paul who states the case perfectly.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
(Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV)

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