After coming to the understanding that we can't allow disappointments to bring our journey to a halt in Part 1: There's Work To Be Done, I realized that gaining an understanding of why something happens is just as important. When children experience a divorce between their parents, they sometimes tend to blame themselves for the failure of the marriage. Or, when a self-inflicted tragedy strikes those closest to us, we seem to blame ourselves for not doing more to help. It's natural for these types of experiences to have an "effect" on us, but we can't choose to let it "affect" us. Simply put, we should be empathetic because we care, but we can't allow it hinder us as well. I've noticed that in the times we allow it to "affect" us, it's out of guilt. We carry the burden of our conscience deceiving us into thinking that it is our fault. Although I'm sure there were times that we may not have made the situation any easier, we were also not the cause. In 1 Samuel the Nation of Israel demanded to have a king appointed to them because of the wicked actions of Samuel's sons who were in line to take his place as Judge. Samuel was displeased and troubled over their request. In my opinion, Samuel probably reasoned with himself that it was his fault for not reprimanding his son's for their actions. But, if you were ever a kid then you know that sometimes we act against better judgement and instruction. The faith of the people only showed them the present rather than allowing them to trust in God's judgement in appointing righteous men to guide them. (God later displays his righteous judgement in David's appointment as king instead Jonathan, Saul's son, as a result of Saul's disobedience). Samuel later realizes that the people's request for a king was not his burden to bear because it was not him whom they were rejecting, but God, "And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king," (1 Samuel 8:7 NIV). We have to be able to understand that every situation that has an "effect" on us is not our own. Some are meant to "affect" others around us. Life has enough twists and turns for each of us to have our fair share without taking on those of others. So, take a good look at the situations in your past and you'll see that "It's Not Even About You."Part 2 of 3: "Why Are You Still Crying?: It's Not Even About You
After coming to the understanding that we can't allow disappointments to bring our journey to a halt in Part 1: There's Work To Be Done, I realized that gaining an understanding of why something happens is just as important. When children experience a divorce between their parents, they sometimes tend to blame themselves for the failure of the marriage. Or, when a self-inflicted tragedy strikes those closest to us, we seem to blame ourselves for not doing more to help. It's natural for these types of experiences to have an "effect" on us, but we can't choose to let it "affect" us. Simply put, we should be empathetic because we care, but we can't allow it hinder us as well. I've noticed that in the times we allow it to "affect" us, it's out of guilt. We carry the burden of our conscience deceiving us into thinking that it is our fault. Although I'm sure there were times that we may not have made the situation any easier, we were also not the cause. In 1 Samuel the Nation of Israel demanded to have a king appointed to them because of the wicked actions of Samuel's sons who were in line to take his place as Judge. Samuel was displeased and troubled over their request. In my opinion, Samuel probably reasoned with himself that it was his fault for not reprimanding his son's for their actions. But, if you were ever a kid then you know that sometimes we act against better judgement and instruction. The faith of the people only showed them the present rather than allowing them to trust in God's judgement in appointing righteous men to guide them. (God later displays his righteous judgement in David's appointment as king instead Jonathan, Saul's son, as a result of Saul's disobedience). Samuel later realizes that the people's request for a king was not his burden to bear because it was not him whom they were rejecting, but God, "And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king," (1 Samuel 8:7 NIV). We have to be able to understand that every situation that has an "effect" on us is not our own. Some are meant to "affect" others around us. Life has enough twists and turns for each of us to have our fair share without taking on those of others. So, take a good look at the situations in your past and you'll see that "It's Not Even About You."
Who Am I Really?
I'm Jonathan.
Don't Lose Yourself Trying To Find Yourself
If the most successful people in the world would be completely open about their lives, I'm sure they'd tell you of a time when they felt lost and confused. I can imagine them talking about waking up one day and realizing that they did not recognize anyone around them. They would probably say that they were so busy focusing on the goal until they forgot to enjoy the process. Well, in that case, they are no different than you and me. I've also realized that I get so busy preparing for tomorrow until I forget to enjoy today. There have been plenty of missed opportunities that I could have spent with family and friends. Even chances to enjoy the fruits of my labor have been sacrificed because I was too busy focusing on the next thing. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:24, "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God." As I matured, "... I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11), but I never intended to lose touch with my inner-child along the way. That's what makes me....ME. I am spontaneous and fun-loving; not this super serious person I've become. Who wants to spend each day thinking about bills and doctor's appointments? Life is too short to not enjoy every moment of it. Carpe Diem! Seize the day! I will not let life pass me by while I prepare for old age. I will learn to enjoy each and every day. I will no longer let my goals and ambitions take SOLE possession of my thoughts. I will "live a little." Don't Lose Yourself Trying To Find Yourself.
Show Me Who I Am Before I Mess Up Who I Can Be
If only you could see what I can see in you." Have you ever heard or said these words? It's hard to watch someone with so much potential throw their life away simply because they can not see who they were predestined to be. Often times even those around us have no idea of all the great things we have the potential accomplishing. My parents stayed on my case as a child about hanging with the wrong crowd and doing things that would only lead to destruction. I can still hear my mother saying "If you stay on this course you'll only end up in jail or in the grave." Apparently she'd lived long enough to know a little something about life because the majority of those same friends are or have been to jail, are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and a couple have even passed away. Honestly, I always knew God had bigger plans for me. It was just a matter of me accepting and embracing it. As a kid, I dreamt of being an astronaut that would explore the heavens above, but my actions kept my feet nailed to the floor. Just like Jacob wrestling with the angel in an attempt to discover his true identity, I wrestled with my desire to be "cool" by doing things that were not so positive. I consistently ignored my parents' warnings about the company I was keeping until one day I saw the police outside of the house we would typically hang out at with my friends handcuffed. I realized then that the path I was traveling was indeed headed for destruction. School and sports eventually started to occupy the majority of my attention and I began to excel at both. I was selected by Duke University to take the ACT in 7th grade and scored a 17. In 8th grade I played my first varsity football game and was a full timer starter by the 9th. I eventually graduated high school with honors and earned numerous scholarships in football. I'm thankful that along the way I had teachers, counselors, principals, coaches, friends, and family that saw the potential I possessed and challenged me to fulfill it. I have kept my eyes focused on my goals and have accomplished many things along the way. I own my business, as well as hold a corporate position at a well-known company in the food industry at the age of 24. God has truly blessed me with a vision to strive for, all the skills and tools necessary, and a humble spirit that trusts in Him to lead my path. But first, He took the time to SHOW ME WHO I AM BEFORE I MESSED UP WHO I CAN BE.
I aM mE
It Only Takes One
Go For What You Know
There are times in our lives when we are faced with decisions that may seem to "go against the grain" from what everyone else sees as normal or possible. These are the times that define us and solidify what we truly believe and stand for. I've learned that life is about growing and maturing, which may give us new "eyes" for certain things that we've seen differently in the past. But, our core principles should not change even with this growth. I am still the same person who has always placed my faith in God to open doors of opportunities for me, but now I realize that He is much more than that. I now see selfishness in only wanting the gifts without accepting the Giver. Going for what you know isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially when the people closest to you don't agree. Sometimes they will even go to extreme measures to discourage your efforts. Even our closest friends and family are jealous of our growth and fight hard to not be left in their misery without company. But, we must stick to our guns and do what we know is right. In 1 Samuel chapter 14, Jonathan's faith in God led him to take only his armor bearer with him into battle against the Philistine camp of about 20 soldiers. After receiving confirmation from God that it was okay to attack, (1 Samuel 14:8-11) Jonathan and his armor bearer headed towards the enemy camp to fight. God honored Jonathan's faith and caused the Philistines to begin fighting and killing themselves! Upon hearing the commotion, his father Saul became enraged that someone had attacked the enemy without his consent and sought to know who had done such a thing. After learning that it was his very own son, Jonathan, Saul commanded the priest to stop praying for him! (1 Samuel 14:19) Our history on Saul tells us that he was a very jealous man. He was jealous of the Israel's faith in David, Jonathan's friendship with David, and his own son's faith in God. This goes to show that even your closest of kin can be the culprit that is trying to bring you down. Regardless of what anyone says, we must do what we know God has laid on our hearts to do. Go For What You Know.
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