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Moving from Winter to Spring and Lent to Easter
Between now and Easter, I’ll share stories of people who move beyond living–to thriving. And today, I’ll go first.
Are You Living or Thriving?
The buds are about to open on my lilac tree, even as there’s ice on my porch. The iris fronds show light green through the melting snow.
This season can feel like an in-between or an invitation.
What moves us from dormant to flourishing?
My friend Shea Houdmann asks that on this podcast, Got Questions:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” top_padding=”4%” bottom_padding=”4%” text_align=”left” el_id=”podcast”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”1px” column_border_color=”#c59329″ column_border_style=”solid” enable_border_animation=”true”][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Hvk46S6RU”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
What gets in the way of living extraordinary?
When we define ourselves by ourselves.
This can sound like…
“I’m just a __(fill in the blank)”
“I’m too __(old, young, tired, emotionally wrung out, flawed, etc.)
“I’m not __(connected, educated, affluent, free, bold, outgoing, etc.)__ enough.
Do you notice one word in all those sentences?
I!
“I Lies,” scrolling across our minds.
Not I, but Christ, voices truth, as we read in Galatians 2:19 and 20:
“…I stopped trying to meet all (the law’s/life rules) requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
I once heard this definition of leadership.
“A leader is a God-defined person with a non-anxious presence.”
As I embrace being God-defined and Jesus-loved, the “I Lies” start to be silenced. Peace settles, and a will to extraordinarily love others rises.
I move from living to thriving, from Lent toward Easter, from Winter toward Spring.
And I come fully alive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”5%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” id=”discussion” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/6″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”rgba(203,141,143,0.1)” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”15px” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none”][vc_column_text]
Discussion Questions
1) What are the “I Lies” you or your friends sometimes say?
2) What is one promise you’ve read or heard about who God says you are?
3) How can you hand over an “I Lie” so your hand can hold a “Jesus loves you” truth?
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