Perspective
“Create a life you can’t wait to wake up to.”
This quote will ring different to many types of people. Some might think creating a life you can’t wait to wake up to means working hard so you can someday live out that ten word phrase. Others may see it as a call to go on an adventure, start new habits or possibly try something new with their life. All those things can be good and important and very valuable, but I believe ultimately, as humans, it all boils down to one very important piece to that quote that many people often leave out, and that’s ✨P E R S P E C T I V E✨
Everyone comes from a different set of circumstances. We may not be able to choose which century to walk the earth, decide what family to be born into or what country to grow up in, but I do believe when it comes to our attitude and using what the Lord has already blessed us with, we can choose not just how we’ll use our circumstances but how we’ll view them as well.
When writing this, I was immediately reminded of Acts, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned for commanding a demon out of a woman. Though they couldn’t change their circumstance, they still sang hymns and prayed in their jail cell, because they were making the most of their circumstance (verse 25). Not only were they making the most of their circumstance, but their perspective on the situation was what fueled their joy and commitment to make the most of wherever God led them. I also believe it’s why they had the courage to continue proclaiming the Good News, even knowing what it could (and eventually would) lead them to: being martyred for their faith.
Have you ever wondered how martyrs have stood up for their faith in grueling circumstances? They must have had a courageous and trusting perspective.
“Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
You see, you can’t always be in your perfect set of circumstances. You can keep trying to find your “perfect.” In fact, you can try all of your life—and many do. The problem, however, is that our circumstance isn’t what satisfies. It never has and it never will, because people are sinful and choosing joy and contentment isn’t as easy as something like choosing to blink or to breathe. In fact, oftentimes those things come naturally, and yet joy and contentment don’t come naturally at all.
You can’t change your circumstance, but you can choose to have a heart of thankfulness and an attitude of joy. We’ve been given the blessing of life, and it’s how we live our lives that will make an impact on ourselves and hopefully be an inspiration and encouragement to others, ultimately reflecting the joy we have found in Christ.
So create a life you can’t wait to wake up to! It may not be waking up every day at your dream vacation spot, favorite drink in hand without a responsibility or a care in the world. But it can be choosing to be grateful and thankful for where the Lord has you already.
It’s not bad to have big dreams and “shoot for the stars,” but that also takes hard work and determination, celebrating the small victories along the way. Even if your life may not be how you’d like it to look now, I encourage you to set goals, grab an accountability partner, strive to do your best and ultimately find joy in what God’s placed in your life at this exact moment. Pray for a heart of thankfulness and it’s amazing how much that will change the perspective of your circumstance.
Create a life you can’t wait to wake up to. And what’s step one? Change your ✨P E R S P E C T I V E✨
“The mind of a person plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
