My kids love the film Zootopia. They love it so much that now I love it. It's about a bunny named "Hopps" who is trying to find a missing otter. Hopps is new to the police force.
She is a recent graduate and tops in her class. She wants to continue to be the best. Unfortunately, she is relegated to parking meter duty.
She is totally bummed out.
Nevertheless, she commits to becoming the best parking meter cop in all of Zootopia. Her parking meter duty changes when she gets her big break. Hopps is assigned to find a missing otter named Emmitt Otterton.
Because Hopps is so enthusiastic about her job, she leaves no stone unturned. She questions everybody about Emmitt, even going to a nudist colony where Emmitt practiced yoga (such a funny scene).
I won't give away the ending, but Hopps' investigation methods were unique and effective. Ultimately, the investigation uncovered everything there was to know about Emmitt Otterton. Hopps found the good, the bad, and the ugly.
What about your life? What if your life was under investigation? What if you were meticulously measured (which you will be, 2 Corinthians 5:10) for some of the following:
Where you spend your money?
Where you spend your time?
What types of relationships did you invest in?
What did you invest in your spouse?
What did you invest in your kids?
What did you invest in yourself?
How much time did you spend with the Lord?
God wants to see you living in your purpose and passion. That is what He created you to do. When you aren't living in your purpose, you're frustrated, stuck, lack confidence and fearful. Now is the perfect time to investigate your life. Take some time to uncover your gifts. It's time to face your fears.
(Remember, take your time. You don't get any extra points for finishing fast.)
For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
One of my favorite quotes is, "discipline equals freedom," by former Navy Seal Jocko Willink. I love how this quote ties right into the verse above. God has given you self-control and the discipline to defeat every fear. So, what would an investigation into your soul look like?
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37
If you were to pause and investigate your soul, what do you think you would uncover?
What do you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you?
Do you need forgiveness in any area?
Do you need to forgive someone else?
Do you need to repent?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
You may have allowed distractions to direct your days, weeks, and months. What if you allowed the Holy Spirit to take over and direct?
What needs to change for you to discover your purpose?
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
This is not a coincidence for you to begin investing in yourself right now. You didn't just fall into clicking on this devotional. You may have felt incredible resistance to doing some of these things. That should be a great confirmation of its importance.
Destroy the distractions so God can direct you.
Your soul is the launching pad for everything God wants to do in your life.
After you investigate your soul, you can begin to do the same for your mind and body.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
On Day 1 we discussed the importance of a journal. As you begin to investigate your mind, your journal will play a critical role.
Take some time to investigate all of the inputs in your mind and write them down. Here are a few examples:
What music are you listening to?
What movies and shows are you watching?
How much social media are you consuming?
What words are sticking in your mind from friends or colleagues?
What limiting beliefs are you holding onto and why?
What is your phone screen time? Are you happy with it?
What books are you reading or not reading?
What else is influencing your behavior and feelings?
If the Bible says to love the Lord with all your mind, soul, and strength, how much of your mind is actively in love with the Lord? I know, this is a hard question. It's a very direct question. It's an "umm, let me think about that" type of question.
You are the only one who knows the truth. I'm asking it because God wants you to live in your purpose. He wants you to investigate your life. He wants you to be honest with you.
He also wants you to trust Him (Prov. 3:5-6).
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
You and I are ultimately nothing without Him. However, if you abide in Him you will bear much fruit. You will be productive. You will be living purposefully. You will be doing what you were created to do. That sounds like exciting stuff, right?
God didn't give you a purpose for you to live it out without Him. He is the vine. This is why the audit, or what I like to call "the investigation of your life" is so paramount.
Do you remember the last time you cleaned out your garage or one of those junk drawers in your home? It's amazing the junk that piles up. Over time, a little junk here and a little junk there, and all of a sudden you have piles and piles of junk. Your mind, body, spirit, and soul are the same way. It's time to do some deep cleaning of what needs to be in your life and what needs to be thrown out. Get rid of the junk. Free up the space you need to gain clarity for what God has created you to do.
The last area to investigate is your body.
You may not be where you want to be physically, but it doesn't mean you need to give up.
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Here is some of the science around exercise from Harvard Health:
Boosts mental clarity and mood.
Improves resistance against diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Better sleep.
Reduce stress.
Brighten your mood.
Control your weight.
I know you know all of this stuff. I get it. I'm not the guy who's giving you new information. I am the guy delivering a "confirmation" for some things you need to start or stop. Meaning, I want to confirm these feelings and desires. I want to help you take action on what you know you need to do.
Here are a few physical questions to consider as you prime yourself to take action:
What do I need to stop doing?
What do I need to start doing?
What are the roadblocks holding me back?
What can I do to get through those roadblocks?
What do I want to become?
What does it feel like to become my best version physically?
What does my best look like, feel like, talk like?
What triggers me to want to do better?
What excuses need to be thrown out?
What beliefs need to be installed?
This may require faith for some of you. You will need to imagine what your best version will feel like, look like, and even talk like. This is who you are becoming. That is faith. This is the real you. This is the path of your purpose.
While I have so many more questions and thoughts about the investigation of your life, I'll leave you with one last thing - slow down and do the work.
If you take the time to do this work, I guarantee your life will be transformed. Thousands of people and clients have transformed their lives using this exact same framework. Jesus came that you would have life and life abundantly. I'm rooting for you.
❤️ - Coach Anthony
** Here are some BONUS questions I love asking to help you investigate your life further.
What motivates you and energizes you each day?
Which activities are the most important to you?
What makes you wish it was morning already?
What do you enjoy talking about and sharing?
What are you willing to do every day and dedicate your life to?
At the end of your life, what would you be happy about?
What are you passionate about?
What fulfills you?
What makes you really angry?
Overall, what is it that you REALLY want?