Don’t Master Life. Discover it. [Ep 141]

Hey, guys. It's James with Are you listening. Today, I'm gonna talk about discovery, not mastery. The faith that lives is 1 that grows, learns and most of all loves. But I wanna speak to this from a position of self improvement. You hear that all the time. You hear the term. And it's often herald, but really it's fraught with peril. I mean, indeed, we

should strive to work on ourselves. But the reflection of my soul once revealed a man, I neither desire to be, nor I wanted to be present in the world. Improving the frail, fearful and broken shell I once was, projecting a facade of confidence unconsciously, was not the answer. No. That man needed to die and die he did. In some cases, the situation is so dire. That replacement is needed not repair. Really, it's the only viable option.

Yet, this does not negate the principle that everything every everyone is capable of change and is redeem. But it doesn't require mastery. A lot of times we feel like we should master things and should be in a place where we just have to become better, which is not bad, but we really should be thinking about discovering better. Discovering the new, it requires discovery. See, when we have value, in the world. We bring value into the world, and the more value that we bring into the world,

the less freedom we have. I mean, we aren't free to sabotage our lives. Why? Because our purpose becomes a lifeline for other people. Let me, picture this. A single drop of water filling it falling into a pond, you know, or a glass or bowl. It creates ripples that extend far beyond the point of impact. I've written about this recently in the last year. Similarly, our actions, our purposes send waves that touch lives that we may never know about that we may never meet.

This truth underscores a profound reality. And as our influence grows. So does our responsibility. So does our obligation So our actions no longer affect just us, they ripple out, impacting and affecting the lives of those who depend on our purpose and our vision are in our very being And I think that meeting people, this is a whole of the conversation by the way is where real life happens. I believe in its purest form life exists when we interact intimately with others in conversation and

purpose with intention. At this point, I realized that I just that as I have been inspired by many people in my life, and been in all of others that they too have been inspired by me and been in of me. This mutual inspiration is the essence of human connection. We are only special in our unique ability. All and our unique interest in the lives of those around us, which makes us part of something greater, purpose, legacy, legacy, I cannot even talk today. Purpose, legacy movement.

Maybe I need some more coffee. I'm often inspired by the people that I meet, no matter who they are. But this dependency, this obligation. This responsibility that comes from this type of mindset. This type of life. This type of value, can really morph into unhealthy code if we're not careful. If we don't navigate with wisdom and discernment, it can become very very unhealthy.

Consider the over bearing parent, you know, who and their deep intention and desire to protect, actually s the growth, and their independence of their child. A lot of you probably have that story to tell. So it's here we must lead from the root of autonomy, Autonomy does not mean just isolation. But autonomy is a well defined sense of self that establishes clear boundaries. That's what we do.

With everyone around us. I mean, imagine a garden, each plant thrive best when it's given its own space to grow with clear boundaries to prevent entanglement. And allow each 1 to flourish on its own. These boundaries are not barriers, but bridges to healthier more authentic relationships see they delineate where the end and the beginning of others are. It foster sort of an environment where mutual respect individual growth can coexist. Not a 1 way street of c dependency on either person.

This is where strong entered dependence and accountability is for forged. It is within the space of healthy boundaries and self awareness that intimate lives t I mean, think of a dance. 2 partners move in harmony, each aware of their own steps. Yet have perfectly in sync with 1 another. This... Thriving intimacy is not confined to romantic it relationships as well. Get that out of your mind. It is the intimacy that begins in every relationship. From which romantic relationships are born.

But it's true of every relationship. It's true in every form of human connection. It is the bedrock in my opinion upon which trust is built and upon which transformation occurs. For the believer, this autonomy is the root of our purpose. The power of our being the control of our intention and the playful found in the joy of being who we are without. Fear and shame or regret. Our faith in informs and enrich this autonomy, grounding it in a higher purpose and a

deeper sense of belonging. I mean, imagine a tree deeply in, in a rooted in soil, and its stability and growth come from its roots, but it reaches out and provides s and fruit and shelter to the world around it. This is an abundant life that is shared with other people. It is a life marked by the freedom to be authentically ourselves, while embracing the responsibility that comes with our influence.

It is a life where joy is not a fleeting emotion, but a deep seated state of being, that's born out of the assurance of our place in the world and our impact on it. Picture a life to a lighthouse standing firm on the shore. It's grounded and unwavering and it doesn't go anywhere no matter how hard the storms or the waters crash upon it. But it provides guidance and safety to all who navigate the turbulent waters of life. This is what Jesus reveals is the heart

of the good report of his rescue. The gospel of grace. This message is not 1 of just individual in personal salvation, but community transformation, intimate, collective transformation. Full of investment. See, through the teachings of Jesus. In his example, we learned that our lives are not to be lived in isolation or my with just people who look like us or think like us or talk like us, but in vibrant, life giving

relationships with other people. I mean, imagine a a mosaic those each piece unique in individual. I used this metaphor a lot, But that Mosaic coming together to create a beautiful and unified work of art. We get to live together in this mighty way until we see Christ face to face. This together is not just a future hope, but a present reality. It is the essence of the kingdom of God here on this earth now right here, right now, not just for the eternity and the future

that we look forward to. The It is in our shared lives, our mutual support, and our collective growth that we experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised. Picture a community garden. Each person contributes. Each person benefits and the collective effort results in a ban harvest that nourish everyone. Doesn't paul say something about that inside Corinthians. In this understanding, self improvement transcend sends the individual and becomes a communal endeavor.

Our growth, our discoveries, our transformation is not just for our benefit, but for the betterment of all those we touch. We live not just for ourselves but for each other finding our highest purpose and the service and uplift of those around us. But Again, the tapestry, Each threat, no matter how small or large is essential to the beauty and the strength of the whole. We are 1 body, many parts. So certain... The the the the the self improvement journey, if you will, as so earners in

this world, we're together in the chaos. We're together in the journey work together in this trip called life. When we see it through this lens, it's not a solitary path, but a shared pilgrimage. A shared experience, a shared intimacy. It's a journey marked by mutual discovery. Shared joys, collective victories. It's a testament to the interconnectedness of our existence and the profound truth that we are better together. Discovery, not mastery.

The faith that lives is 1 that grows, learns, and most of all loves. The life that lives is 1 that does these things. In Galatians, Paul cries out, I've been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live Christ who lives within me. Now I live in the flesh. I live by faith and the son of God who's loved me and gave himself for me. We can look at all the scripture. We can see that the proverbs tells us that we sharpen 1 another.

We can see that just because we are 1 person, we're just a part of a body. It has many members. And where members of the body so that we actually exist for 1 another. Peter says that first Peter 4 that each of us have received a gift, and we are to use it to serve 1 another as stewards of God's varied grace. So if we speak, but we serve, we provide strength. We do it though we may glorify our father in heaven through Jesus Christ.

Romans 12 says to love 1 another with brother affection to the point that we out do 1 another in showing honor. And acts 2, verse 44. They had everything in common. They had life together. Than fellowship. And they were selling their possessions and belong as in distributing the pre to all as many had need And day by day, they attended the temple together. They broke bread in their homes, and they receive food with glad and generous heart praising God for having favor with all

people. And the lord added to their number, day by day, those were being saved. Love is patient. Love is kind. And above all these. Put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Beloved, I wanna be a man like that. So that's about discovery, not mastery. Because the only 1 who's ever mastered love is Jesus. So we can follow his example while resting in his righteousness that by grace has been credited to me. And to you, if indeed, you've tasted and seen that the lord is good.

Are you listening?