Monday Morning Devotion-April 1, 2019

On a Roll

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Isaiah:  26:3

     You are on a roll.  When you are hot, you're hot.  Everything is going your way.  Whatever you touch turns to gold.

            Ever felt that way?  Like you were on a winning streak and everything was perfect in your life?   Happiness was your middle name.  Happens to everybody at one time or another. 

            The informal definition of "on a roll" is "experiencing a prolonged spell of success or good luck."

            Sometimes if we have a succession of good things happen there may be this tiny feeling in the back of our mind like: "This is too good to be true.  Wonder when it is going to end."

            In 2002 Rick Warren, Pastor and Founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest California wrote a book called: "The Purpose Driven Life."   In the introduction to the book Warren writes: "This is more than a book; it is a guide to a 40-day spiritual journey that will enable you to discover the answer to life's most important question: 'What on earth am I here for?' By the end of journey, you will know God's purpose for your life and will understand the big picture---how all the pieces of your life fit together.  Having this perspective will reduce your stress, simplify your decision, increase your satisfaction, and most imporantt, prepare you for eternity."   Wow!  All that in one book.

            One thing it did was put Rick Warren on a roll.  According to Wikipedia that book---The Purpose Driven Life---has sold over 30-million copies making Warren a New York Times bestselling author.  I'd say he is still on a roll almost 20-years later.

            That's the kind of roll we would all like to be on. 

            So how do we get on a roll?  First, we have to realize that getting on a roll usually requires that some changes must be made.  Most people are not happy with change.  They are comfortable with the way things are going in their life and are resistant to consider making changes.  Feeling that way is one prickly path to take that will keep you from getting on a roll.

            As Heraclitus (you know him, the Greek philosopher) said: "The only thing that is constant is change."  So, change will happen in our lives.  The trick is to turn the changes into positives that will start us on a roll.

            Here are some ways you may be able to deal with changes that occur and get on a roll.

First, realize there may be emotions involved in the change that occurs.  That's natural so accept it, smooth them over as best you can and move on.

            Realize that change is a universal experience we all face so determine that you will go with the flow or remain stuck.  Also understand that you might not know the right way to deal with the change immediately but that you will in time.

            Reframe change into a time for growth and reinvention.  Instead of viewing it as a horribly unexpected and uncomfortable experience that will shake up your life see change as a time to reinvent yourself and test your perseverance in a character-building way.

            You can read books to gain a fresh perspective.  Inspirational books may help you feel hopeful and supported while fictional books let you escape for a while.

            Free-writing your thoughts and ideas on a piece of paper can help.  As you write down different scenarios and take pros and cons and put ideas down on paper that free your mind to be creative.  Then go back later and read these ideas.

            Finally, take action.  As FSU football coach Willie Taggart says; " Do something."  Any action is the right action because it frees you from becoming stagnant and opens up the potential for you to get on a roll. (www.beyourself.com)

            Rick Warren contends that one of the best ways to get on a roll in your life is to realize that relationships are what life is all about.  You can't do life all by yourself and expect things to turn out differently.  You need help, or you need to help someone else. 

            Warren writes: "The greatest gift you can give someone is your time."

            Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

                                                                                                              1 John 3:18

            "The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolate.  It is focused attention.  Love concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at that moment.  Attention says.  'I value you enough to give you my most precious asset---my time.'  Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love."

            And without love you can't get on a roll.

            When you get on a roll it's great.  Like Country Singer Jerry Reed sang: "When you are hot, you're hot."  The next part of that lyric goes: "When you are not, you're not."

            There is always the possibility that you will roll into a road block. Then, the roll you are on is not as much fun.  Fortunately, we have a God who gives and gives and gives.  He is there to help us when we sputter and stall and try to get cranked up again.

            It's up to us to receive His gifts and increase our intimacy with Him.  Sarah Young ("Jesus Calling") writes: "I search for people who are able to receive in full measure.  To increase your intimacy with me, the two traits you need the most are receptivity and attentiveness.  Receptivity is opening up your innermost being to be filled with My abundant riches.  Attentiveness is directing your gaze to me:  searching for Me in all your moments. "

            God is offering.  Are we receiving?  If we are that is the key to getting on a roll, one that is meaningful and leads to happiness.

Prayer:  Lord, lots of things happen to knock us off course but we realize that you are the way to get back on a roll in our life circumstances.  Amen!