Through many projects during my IT years, I learned the importance of knowing what was before ever moving to a new platform. Questions were normal: Why did we do it like that? Are there rules that prevent us from doing it differently? If reaching for “Pie in the sky,” what would the new world resolve, and how would we make it differently? How will a new system be better?
Knowing where we were, quantifying and qualifying the new opportunity, choose whether it’s the best time to move forward.
Isn’t that what we do every day? All the time?
To make something better, we must understand the rules of why we are where we exist and ensure the best way to progress.
Granted. In my lifetime, some laws will never be broken, and some rules will never change. Yet, we are constantly learning how to tackle life with new approaches. Part of it comes from resetting who we are, what we’ve limited ourselves to, changing what we think we want, and writing a new chapter of life.
Today? I’m making a list, checking it twice, and determining what I need to do to take a reality check, make some observations, rewrite some of my rules, do a reset, and prepare to go!
How About All Of Us?
If you could change something in your life for today, what would you prepare for so the future will be better?
Wealth, health, habits, and thoughts? A changed focus on life can be adjusted to “What’s the best outcome of this I can get?” Think about it. You get stuck in something, and it may suck the life out of you, but what can you get out of this that you never would have considered before?
The comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, may call this “garbage time.” With no rhyme or reason as to why we are doing what we are doing, what is the best outcome I can get out of this moment? It may not resolve issues, and it may just be hard work, but I’m here; this is now, so how do I make the best of it? Convert your expectations into this thought – I can manage my expectations!
Here I am. Converting those moments once thought wasted, into a lifetime of memories that will change the future!
Reset. Check. Rewrite. Ready. Go! I'm here. This is now. How do I make the best of it? Convert your expectations into this thought – I can manage my expectations! Click To TweetReality Connects to the Garbage Time
Make the best of it, but do not let the lesson pass you by.
As a Pastor, not every service, lesson, message, or worship time works out the way I thought it would. But God knows. If I can just accept the moment, there’s a value found in the time we did not plan for. God is not disappointed. He works with everything that comes his way.
As a husband, I know we have many times of “garbage.” But I learned something a long time ago. Not every moment is perfect, but every day with my bride, I am blessed! I’ve learned to “go with the flow.” Where from? Scriptures, examples, experiences, and from a favorite singer and song, “Some days are diamonds, some days are stone.” (John Denver, Some Days Are Diamonds.)
As a father, I’m blown away by all those times when I could have made it better but didn’t. There are moments I wish I could go back and do it again. You can never undo the past, but you can make the present better. There’s still a future to enjoy.
As a man, I’m content with my Emotional and Intelligent Quotient. I’m not content staying with the old habits that are dying a hard death. I’m striving to be better. Even when I fail, I’m looking for the best outcome so I can say, “I learned a new lesson.”
I think that’s my future!
Revelation 21:1-7 NKJV
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
Also there was no more sea.
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and He will dwell with them,
and they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
for the former things have passed away.”
Then He who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”
And He said to me,
“Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
And He said to me, “It is done!
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
He who overcomes shall inherit all things,
and I will be his God
and he shall be My son.