Taking Ownership

It’s personal pride. Taking ownership of who I am, what I say, and how I process. It’s not that I’m right and everyone else is wrong. Rather, it’s related to the concept I’ve had for nearly 40 years.

Being the best me, that me knows how.

Yep. Thought it. Said it. And, I’ve tried to live by it since a boss tried to tell me I needed to be more like him. “I ‘yam who I ‘yam” whispers Popeye in my ear, to which I complete his thought: “And that’s all that I ‘yam!” That boss? No one wanted to be like him!

This morning my thought upon waking was simple. Take Ownership of everything. Failures. Successes. Inadequacies. Abundance. Only then can you set your pace forward.

True, my life is based upon those who went before me, but all the rabbit trails I’ve taken are mine. I’m responsible for who I am, what I am, and how I have yet to conceive who I will turn out to be!

Here’s My Thought Today

The lock, the key, and the power of what I allow in, and keep out – it’s under my control. Yet, I am touched by the needs and thoughts of others all day long! Why do I let this affect me? Because of my personal responsibility to care more than just for myself.

It’s in my spirit to “head for the hills” and escape to a little cabin in the middle of nowhere! Keep Out! No Trespassing! Signs all over the place! Let that avalanche close the pass to all wanderers. (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) Winter it out and then determine what to do when Spring arrives.

For the most part, this is exactly how my mind works. It’s difficult opening up my life to others when I would much rather close the door, lock it up tight as a drum, and throw away the key. But then the cry comes out of the corner of someone’s life and I realize something very important.

I’m prone to want to isolate,
but the needs of others keep me close to the warmth of crowds.

Purpose Statement

I’ve written, preached, taught, and conversed about this so often, but I keep turning to this thought.

Jesus isolated himself from others, and scriptures describes it as prayer time. I cannot help but think that prayer is not simply talking my way through a time period, but drawing strength as my purpose and spirit is recharged from simply being alone. No distractions. Thinking and praying through the moment. Renewing, resolving, recharging.

Perhaps the focus should be to know who I am, and why am I here.

Paul tells Timothy in his first letter to know The Who and The Why.

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,
which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice;
and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God,
which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,
nor of me his prisoner:
but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel
according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace,
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” 
~2 Timothy 1:5-9 (KJV)

What’s Your Purpose?

Too often we live without knowing our purpose, much less fulfilling what are capabilities are.

Notice the last few phrases. “Who saved us, called us, not according to our abilities (works), but according to HIS purpose and grace…”

Knowing our purpose should give us resolve that we have the ability to become who we are proposed to be.

Can you give a “Purpose Statement” for what your life should be?
Based on your talent, personality, and God ordained calling?

Plan

Way too often I am a personality that “has to have a plan”… From preparing for the retiring years, to making vacation plans, I’m better off if I’ve planned everything down to the minutiae. Way back when, Triple A used to plan your trip with maps, stopping options, fueling stations, and a myriad of other things you may not think about. The Alaska Milepost is an invaluable source for your trip up north.

When the internet is unavailable, well, you better have a backup plan!

I suspect that if I could speak to my younger self (it seems to be the rave to write a letter to the 20-year-old you and give your wisdom), then I would have a clearer idea of what my possible motive of life could be…and then instruct me to plan better. Plan ahead. Save better. Make this move. Skip that move.

However, that’s an impossible scenario. Even if I were to receive the letter when I was younger, I’m sure I would have discounted all the advice and simply gone about life the way I have. In other words, nothing would be noticeably different than it is now.

I think I know me well enough to affirm this thought.

What Does Your Plan Say?

Some people seem to have the ending in mind as they begin moving through their life.

Even though I’m a planner and a plodder, there are many times I choose to let things happen organically without any plan at all! This bugs some folks. They like every moment and movement planned. That’s their problem. Not mine. If you want to be around my world just be prepared to let somethings happen as they unfold! Go with the flow, or get on your own wave!

Result

Here’s the rub of it all. Regardless of how you define your purpose and plan out all the details, life has a way of throwing the proverbial monkey wrench at the most inopportune time. Upheavals everywhere cause ripples and tidal waves in all our lives. You cannot plan for every possibility no matter how hard you try. In reality, the best you can do is plan for the future in mind, but be willing to ride through the valleys of life.

It was David who said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” (Psalms 23) In other words, though it’s my walk and choice, God adds the surrounding features that make my existence protected. Read it and see if you can find it. Hint: I’ve marked God’s role in our walk, even when we are walking through our valley’s.

“A Psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  
~Psalms 23:1-6 (ESV)

What’s the result of my life? If He is my Shepard, then Goodness and Mercy will follow me every day I live, AND, I will dwell in His House forever.

Think It Through

We sometimes think of life better lived when we follow someone else’s plan. Yes. There are rules of existence that I choose to follow, but many have exchanged them for a different set of guidelines. Some even live lawless, making up their own rules as they move forward.

Regardless, at the ending of life we all fill face the future.

We think we are right in our choices, but could it be we are wrong? Think about it. You may face an uncertain future if you make wrong choices today. You will take Ownership of your choices. Responsibility for life will rest on your shoulders. No one else can be blamed.

Jesus even talks about this, some 2,000 years ago. Where? In the section of scripture we call The Beatitudes. It’s toward the ending of his discourse, and right before he tells us to build our house on a rock…

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  
Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)

So. Your choice. Your ownership. Own up to it. Be responsible. Right or wrong. You will pay the price for your choices.