In the film A New Hope, Luke Skywalker finds himself frustrated and discouraged while working on his uncle's farm. His friends are away and he feels like he is missing out.
The scene cuts to Luke cleaning up their newly purchased droid, R2-D2. As he scrubs carbon out of the droid's casing, a cryptic message from Princess Leia is displayed. It's a call of distress and the name Obi-Wan Kenobi is mentioned.
Luke becomes curious and asks his uncle about their neighbor, Ben Kenobi. His uncle shuts him down and tells him to wipe R2-D2's memory first thing in the morning.
R2-D2 escapes in the night and forces Luke to go and chase him down. Luke rises early the next morning and finds R2-D2 only to be attacked and nearly killed by sand people.
Obi-Wan rescues Luke from the sand people. As Luke sits down with Obi-Wan they discuss what happened. The conversation spills into the ways of the Jedi.
Obi-Wan tells Luke about his father (Darth Vader). Luke begins to gain awareness which confirms some of his feelings. Obi-Wan offers to train Luke to become a Jedi. Luke says "yes" and begins his path of becoming a Jedi.
My question to you is, "what is God trying to bring awareness to in your life?"
What gifts, dreams, and purpose does He want you to see?
What distractions are keeping you from this important moment in your life?
What fears are stopping you?
I believe helping you gain more awareness is one of my assignments in life.
My goal is for Jesus to say to you, "well done, my good and faithful steward." I know you want to hear that too. I also know, you may feel like your life is nowhere close.
That's why I am writing this to you. This is not a coincidence. It's a confirmation.
As you know, the devil wants to steal, kill and distract you. I mean destroy you. Ha.
One of the best ways he does that is by killing your dreams and purpose. If he can crush your dreams and purpose (your assignment), then you will never produce what God intended.
You will live a life with your talents buried in the ground. I know you don't want that. I also know you probably feel like you don't know what to do.
Just as Luke needed Obi-Wan to bring awareness to his gift, I want to be available and help bring awareness to yours. We all need help and God wants to help you.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:13-14
You matter and your purpose is significant.
If someone has never told you that, let the words from the scriptures above wrap their arms around you. Christ is with you. You are not doing this on your own.
One of the most important things you can ever do to gain awareness is also one of the most difficult.
You need to pause.
The Bible mentions the word "Selah" frequently in the Psalms. It means "to pause."
I know how crazy that sounds.
Your mobile phone can be an incredible blessing and a curse. It's up to you to decide how it's used. In most cases, it's used to distract (destroy) you, and it does a phenomenal job.
What if you took time each day to pause and reflect? I know you want to. I also know how hard it is when you actually try to do it.
It's impossible to gain awareness when you are distracted.
Which makes it impossible to discover your purpose and passion. Which makes it impossible to receive the words, "well done, my good and faithful steward."
Distracted stewards are not good, nor faithful.
I know this is probably something you don't want to hear. I also know it's probably a confirmation of something you have been trying to do.
So, how do you gain more awareness? How does this awareness help you discover your purpose and passion?
Great question my friend, let's get some action steps in place.
The first thing is to begin a habit of stillness.
"be still and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10
Think about how often and how long you are still before the Lord?
If Jesus is Lord of your life, your talent, treasure and time should reflect that right?
If you truly love someone, it shouldn't be hard to be "still" with them right?
What if your purpose was on the other side of your obedience?
What if, as author Ryan Holiday puts it, "the obstacle is the way?"
What does Jesus being the Lord (ruler, master, boss) of your life look like to you?
The next critical component to generate awareness is to "want" to do it.
The journey is the destination.
Hard work works.
There will be days when you will want to skip it.
Excuses will flood your mind.
This is when you must remember why those distractions are coming your way.
"the thief comes to steal, kill and distract." John 10:10
I mean destroy. Ha! Attacking your purpose and passion is the devil's priority. This is why distractions bombard you.
You will need a journal.
You will need to track your thoughts on a daily basis. Be careful if you decide to use your mobile device. If you have not mastered distractions, your phone will take you off course.
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it." Habakkuk 2:2
The book of Psalms is basically David's journal. He writes songs, prayers, and plenty of complaints as well.
Your journal will become your visual progress of who you are becoming.
These habits will begin to stick and when they do it's time for you to gain awareness through your relationships. This step can feel very awkward. You may feel fear, but it's a necessary step.
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." Proverbs 12:15
"Where there is no guidance, people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:4
So, what sort of questions should you ask your family, friends, relatives, and counsel?
Here are a few questions you can ask them in person, by email, or via text. Whatever works best for you. Try to obtain responses from 10 different, trusted sources.
I know this is hard. You are probably already saying to yourself, "how awkward is this?"
It's most likely the fear you need to face.
I know because I said the same things. I was buried in fear.
When do you need to ask for my help? What do you generally come to me vs. anybody else for help with?
What do you see as my biggest weaknesses?
What is my zone of genius? What am I the BEST at?
There is so much more I'd love to share with you, but for the sake of time, this is a good place to pause. My prayer is that you begin to see the incredible gifts the Lord has given to you.
Below is a prayer to pray to begin gaining more awareness.
Lord, open my eyes that I may see. I ask for you to visit me in my quiet time. As I seek Your face, meet with Me. Show me your love. Wrap your arms around me. Grant me wisdom in all I do. In Jesus' name, amen.
❤️ - Coach Anthony