The "American Dream" is a dead end. Having it all, is not enough. There is more to life than the "goods"...looking good, feeling good. If we give in to marketing we will be constantly reminded that more is better, that the family on the TV is "normal" and we aren't, to constantly be dissatisfied with our lives. The media wants to "shake us up" and think, "I need that, I want that, I won't be normal unless I resemble that".
The purpose of your life is not about making money, buying stuff and dying.
If you want long term permanent change it only happens when you change the way you think, change your mindset, change your vision and your paradigm. You have to change your relationships to things for it to be long term change. It's the way you "think" about it. Changing your behavior only lasts about a month...changing the way you look at things is what creates permanent change.
In the bible, the book of Habakkuk gives us the 7 steps to change our life and get God's vision.
1. WANT/DESIRE: HUNGER and THIRST for God's dream. It's NOT OPTIONAL. Get that desperate and you WILL hear from Him. I must want to do God's will. I choose to do God's will. It has to be a NECESSITY to you. "God I have to know why I'm here on earth". "I've got to hear your voice and hear your vision". "I want to do what you want". "I want to honor your ways, most of all."
God says, "But these things I plan for your life won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily and surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.". Deut: 4. If you search for God passionately, you will find him.
2. WITHDRAW: Get ALONE with God. God won't speak to you if you have a lot of noise in your life. You need quiet time every day of your life for the rest of your life. If you aren't having daily time with God you are not plugged in. You have NO power in your life which is why you are tired at the end of each day. You can't withdraw and get alone and get in a quiet place! God WANTS to meet with you. He's waiting on you, you aren't waiting on Him.
3. WAIT - I want, I withdraw and I wait. I must calm my emotions, call my thoughts if I'm going to hear from God. Mind operating too fast to hear.
How to Wait on God:
1. Wait quietly - sit and be quiet
The most important thing you do in your life is to PLUG into God by spending time with him every day.
2. Wait patiently - find the inner calm and be patient
3. Wait expectantly - I believe you are going to speak to me.'
4. I watch in prayer - listen
5. I write down the ideas that I receive. Write down clearly what I reveal to you.
6. Worship- I thank God for speaking to me. Natural response to hearing God speak to me.
Dear God, help me to give you the best I have. Help me to want/thirst and hunger for your vision for my life, remind me how important time alone is with you and help me to wait on your response before I act. Help me to discern in my life where I have fallen short in these areas. Amen
*notes from Pastor Rick Warren sermon.
