Last session we began discussing the need for creators and dreamers to stay motivated.
What motivates you? Ultimately, your worldview — your beliefs and core values, how these affect your view of life, God (the Creator of the Universe), and the part you play in the world — will shape your outlook and define your sense of purpose. These factors in turn will determine your level of motivation.
The first sentence of the Bible, the bestselling book of all time, states, “In the beginning God created heaven and earth.” (Genesis 1:1 GW) The first sentence of the Gospel of John makes a similar statement: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, 14 GW) The gospel then explains, “The Word became human and lived among us. We saw His glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with his only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth.” (John 1:1,14 GW)
With these opening sentences, the Word of God is proclaiming (as we stated last session) that everything, including our hopes, goals, and creative pursuits, starts with God (and originates from Him). He birthed each of us, as well as the dreams we hold — and the gifts and talents necessary to achieve them.
What’s your worldview? Are you here by accident — or by divine choice? What do you truly believe? Are you simply part of the matter forming the Universe — or a unique individual who matters to your Heavenly Father? Remember, you are what you think. According to King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, “As [a man] thinks within himself, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)
An individual with a Judeo-Christian (Biblically-based) Worldview will have an awareness of God in every area, situation and circumstance. That person will know that he or she is not alone; that the Lord is with them and for them. Such a person also realizes that God is not some impersonal “force”; but rather a loving Heavenly Father who is personally interested and actively involved in every aspect of their life; who proclaims “I can never forget you! I have written your name on the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16 GNT) a God who “even knows [numbers; counts] how many hairs are on your head.” (Matthew 10:30 EXB)
Hence, a person with a Judeo-Christian (Biblically-based) Worldview sees him- or herself, as well as others, as highly valued because all people are created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) In fact, for those who place their trust in the Lord, “He has by his own action given us everything that is necessary for living the truly good life, in allowing us to know the One who has called us to Him, through His own glorious goodness. It is through Him that God’s greatest and most precious promises have become available to us … making it possible … to share in God’s essential nature.” (2 Peter 1:4 PHILLIPS)
Whether you realize it or not, you are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece created by God. There’s a spark of the divine within you; and you share God’s creative DNA. We want you to be aware of these things — not so you can get cocky; but because these are the facts of life. These are the wonderful truths God reveals about you in His Word. Now, why would you (or anyone) want to dispute such things with your maker? Simply put, God doesn’t make junk.
King David, the great psalmist, writes “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:6,14 ESV) With this statement, David is expressing what he believes, his worldview.
Fellow dreamers and creators, we’re not part of a cosmic accident; nor are we descendants of primordial slime. The Creature from the Black Lagoon is not your daddy! Again, we were created in the image of God and placed here by divine appointment. We have a destiny to fulfill within God’s grand plan for humankind. He wants us to fulfill that destiny; to reach our full potential; to become everything He designed us to be.
WE MATTER! We have purpose and meaning. We’re here to glorify God, to be a blessing to others, to touch lives with His love and to make a difference … within our homes and communities, both now and for eternity. We accomplish this “mission” — at least in part — by seriously pursuing the dreams God’s given each of us. How’s that for a motivating force?
An individual with a Judeo-Christian Worldview must develop and maintain an orderly, focused, and God-centered life. This is the “one thing” the Apostle Paul spoke of (and which we discussed several sessions back). Make this your “one thing” and everything else will quickly fall into place. Why? Because a life with meaning this deep, with purpose this intense, produces people who are highly motivated; people who pursue their dreams all the way to the end, who create lasting works and achieve great things. People who live by the motto: “With humans, this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 DLNT)
Got dreams? What do you really believe? Here’s what we believe. It’s something Jesus Christ promised us: “The person who trusts Me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things … You can count on it.” (John 14:12-14 MSG)
“We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out His best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. …That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:8-10 MSG)