So That… (#34)

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I love that little phrase, “so that”. It’s a short transition statement that packs a big punch. Have you ever thought about it?

The phrase “so that” is used to convey purpose, to clarify the why of something.

In the last post I mentioned that I recently made a big career move. That move was based on my so that.

I have had a pretty interesting career path, from correctional officer to CFO, from contracts manager to Vice President – I made a few moves, accepted several promotions, and held executive positions of influence and responsibility. I’ve worked with incredible people, viewed the political sausage-making up close and have had experiences most people are never afforded. It’s been a good run. Yet, the years of working 70+ hours a week in demanding, high-stress positions have, at times, taken a toll on my health and relationships, and stole way too much of my precious time and focus.

Perhaps approaching my 50th year of life also had something to do with it? I felt that it was time and the right opportunity came along. So, I took my own advice, evaluated my personal definition of success (see blog post #22), and moved in another direction. I am now the executive director at an amazing church…and I love it! I’m using my talents and skills to more directly further the kingdom of God. What the world may think I “lost” in terms of pay and fancy titles I “gained” in purpose, satisfaction, and time for family and my other purpose-filled interests – like this blog, book writing and launching a new website (coming soon!). I definitely made a quality trade.

All SO THAT I can fulfill my purpose.

We all need to know our purpose. Our purpose is like a compass that helps us find our way when we’re lost. Losing sight of your purpose can lead to unnecessary hopelessness and despair. We were never meant to live in hopelessness and despair.

Someone I care deeply about recently took his own life. It is a tragic, senseless, and devastating loss. He fell into despair…he lost his so that.

Every life was created intentionally by God on purpose and for a purpose. We all have a so that.

What is the so that in your life? What is that purpose in your life that drives everything else? If you’re not sure, spend some time this week to think about it. You DO have one, and we all need you to see it through!

The Enough Life Is The Abundant Life (#23)

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What do you think of when you hear the word enough? Do you think of ‘just enough’ or ‘not enough’? Does it conjure up images of exasperation, like ‘I’ve had enough’ (which I would actually say is beyond enough and into too much)?

When we live the Enough Life, there is no lack and no settling for unmet needs. There is no excess, nor the baggage that comes with too much. We live in our own unique place of enough.

We’ve talked in earlier posts about the definition of enough. Here is Merriam-Webster’s1 definition (the emphasis is mine):

  • occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations
  • in or to a degree or quantity that satisfies or that is sufficient or necessary for satisfaction
  • a sufficient number, quantity, or amount

My definition of the word enough is “perfect abundance.” I love how Proverbs 14:30 in the Amplified2 Bible translation describes what I see as the heart’s enough state, “A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body.” Go ahead and read that again…calm, peaceful, tranquil, life, health. These are markers of the Enough Life.

In the book of John, chapter 10, verse 10, we are told that Jesus came to give His believer’s life, and not just a little life, not only eternal life, but life here on earth in abundance. The Perfect Savior came to give us a life of abundance that we can walk in today. There’s no skimping with God. This is not name-it and claim-it false theology. This is the calm, peaceful, tranquil heart that we all desire. This is living in Jesus’ abundant peace, joy, and satisfaction.

This is the perfect abundance at the heart of the Enough Life!

This week:

Look up these verses in your Bible or an online Bible app and reflect on them this week. Pray and ask God what He wants to say to you through His word and this post.

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1 “Enough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enough. Accessed 13 Mar. 2021.

2 Amplified Bible (AMP),The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA, 2015.

The Secret Sauce (Post #17)

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In today’s fast-paced, super-sized world, don’t we all just want to hit the easy button…you know, land that deal of a lifetime with virtually no effort, lose 10 pounds while you sleep, and create the perfect home life in 3 simple steps. Yet, we all know the old adage that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The truth is, there is no easy button. Doing the right things well takes effort and intentionality. It always has. There are natural, universal laws at play – we reap what we sow. The farmer cannot reap a harvest of soy beans if she planted a crop of peas.

And so it begs the question: if we reap discontentment, what are we sowing. Or, to frame it another way, if we want to harvest a fully-satisfied, joy-filled life (otherwise known as The Enough Life), what should we be sowing? How can we be intentional about planting seeds of contentment, satisfaction, and joy in our lives? What can we do to focus our minds on our gratitude for what we have rather than ruminating on what we lack?

Here’s one suggestion – start a gratitude or blessing journal. Spend at least 1 minute at the start and end of your day in your journal. Write down what you are thankful for, the blessings in your life, and what gives you joy. Ponder these things in your heart, review them periodically, and keep writing. You will be amazed at the harvest you can reap with an investment just 1 or 2 minutes.

Enough gratitude…that just may be the secret sauce!

Minimalism is OK, but it isn’t ENOUGH! (Post #15)

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There is a big distinction between minimalism and living the Enough Life. Allow me to elaborate. 

I understand where minimalism is coming from, I myself even embraced it for a time. The idea is good. Most of us could use a bit of decluttering and less consumption is generally good. Yet, the movement has really become distressing to me. The problem I have with the minimalist movement is that it carries a connotation of limiting, of rules, of getting by with less, of holding back. Of scarcity. In the world of minimalism there seems to be an ongoing burden on your back. There is always a mountain to climb, another closet to go through, vigilance needed at every turn. And I believe that creates a “you have to work for it” mentality which ultimately produces shame because one cannot really ever be a perfect minimalist. And it seems as though those who are live an uncomfortable lifestyle, for which they must remain ever vigilant.

While listening to a popular minimalism podcast, it also occurred to me that minimalism is exactly like hoarding. Now before you laugh and walk away, hear me out. Minimalism perpetuates the same fixation with “stuff” that hoarding does. They are two sides of the same coin. On one side, hoarding is fixated on things, namely trying to fill a void in one’s life through accumulating things. On the other side, minimalism is also fixated on things, namely trying to fill a void in one’s life by controlling their collection of things. Sure, minimalism may appear a more noble endeavor, but I’m convinced that the root of minimalism can be as insidious as hoarding and ultimately as unkind to your soul.

The ‘things’ of life are only a part of this life, they should not be our focus. In fact, the most important things in life are not things at all.

By contrast, the Enough Life is about getting by with MORE! More joy, more satisfaction, more relief from the shame and woulda, coulda, shoulda of life! This Enough Life is freedom. It is not a hill to climb, it’s a beautiful wide open space filled with all of your favorite loves. There is no guilt in this Enough Life, and everyone’s enough is unique. Everyone gets to be who they are and decide for themselves – based on their level of peace and joy – what is enough for them.

Sometimes minimalism is referred to as a lifestyle, but it seems to me that it is really more of a ritual. In contrast, this Enough Life really is a lifestyle…which takes no effort. It is a way of thinking and approaching all of life, to get the most out of it. It isn’t about controlling life, it is about embracing life.

The Enough Life is not about taking things out of your life, its about filling your life (and home) with that which really satisfies. Not counterfeit satisfaction, real satisfaction. Real peace. Real joy. It isn’t about limiting, it is about maximizing that which truly matters and removing that which doesn’t. And the Enough Life is not limited to things, it transcends the material goods of life and actually applies to all areas of life based on what is kind to your soul and what is life-giving and peace-inducing. 

Try it….and be kind to your soul today!