I don’t quote people very often. I feel that in some way, I’m taking credit for their articulate way of conveying thoughts when I write them as my words – even though I give the author full credit. Today is one of the days that I have to share the words of another. If you know me, you understand why I’ve been diagnosed with Information Junkie syndrome. I read! Blogs, magazines, books, labels, and yes – I’ve been known to read junk mail, just because it’s there. I read the Bible and at least one, usually more pages of a devotional every day. Someone once referred to me as a human sponge. Hmmm…only true to the extent that once saturated, I have to be wrung out. You see, as obsessed as I am with reading, that obsession carries over to sharing what I’ve learned. I’m sure 90% of what I share in email gets deleted before opened – not everyone has the same obsession that I have. Perplexing as that may be. (OK that was where you laugh.)
But back to my story and what I read today that caused me to read and re-read the few paragraphs in Seth Godin’s blog. “If you set your bar at “amazing, it’s awfully difficult to start. The only path to amazing runs directly through not-yet-amazing. But not-yet-amazing is a great place to start, because that’s where you are. For now. There’s a big difference between not settling and not starting.” I don’t remember how Seth Godin came to be one of the blogs I read, but he exudes wisdom coupled with logic in nearly every post. This is how Wikipedia describes him. “an American entrepreneur, author and public speaker.” Well that’s certainly characteristic of about one million breathing people today.
Just prior to reading that, I had been focused on Colossians 2. I wish I could copy the entire chapter here, but read with me a few meaningful highlights – then go back and read the entire chapter for yourself. Think of this as Paul’s blog. Seriously! He wrote these words in a letter because as he says in the very first verse, “Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn’t make any difference. Know that I’m on your side, right alongside you. You’re not in this alone.” Scattered throughout the remaining chapter are these encouraging lines. “I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God…. My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given…. Live out your faith in the Master….be deeply rooted in him….do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! … grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.” Much of the chapter is missing from that paragraph. But it spoke to me.
Last night during the graduation ceremony, every speaker gave advice to the graduates, but listeners in the audience were challenged along with them to plan for the future, work hard, enjoy each season of life, and make their lives amazing. As Seth said in his blog, we can’t start at amazing and amazing has no chance if we don’t start. Two thousand years before, the Apostle Paul – the ultimate encourager – counseled in his blog, Start living in faith, what you already know to be true. In Colossians 2:19 Paul says “God is the head and we are the body.” With God as the head, we can be amazing – but we have to start.
I hope this raises you up for today and for always. Ephesians 3:20 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=God4uk1Avj8

