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Making a Good Life Less ElusiveBy Ed Delph October 22, 2018 A man was driving his car and crashed into another car. He shouted at the driver of the other car, “Why didn’t you look out; you’re the fourth car I’ve hit today.” I have several observations to make on this incident. Firstly, a chip on the shoulder usually indicates wood higher up. Secondly, speak when you’re angry and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret. Finally, if you never heal from what hurt you, you will bleed on others that didn’t cut you. Well, as they say, control your attitude or your attitude will control you. Your mood should not dictate your manners. Today let’s look at the issue causing the issue in this story. Could the cause of his attitude be what the angry man is aiming at or not aiming at in life? Wayne Cordeiro, a noted pastor and author, presents an interesting concept in growing beyond bad attitudes and frustrated lives. He asks the following questions in his book Attitudes that Attract Success we would be wise to consider. “What are you shooting for in life? What is your goal? If you could identify only one thing that drives your life, what would it be?” Just like a man with a bow and arrow in target practice, we get what we aim for or at least close to what we aim for. What are you aiming for? What is your focus? Is it money, fame, prestige, power, notoriety, being the best, sports/recreation, financial independence/security, success in business, family, or peace? Pastor Cordero goes on to say: “Everything depends on what we are shooting for. When we aim at the wrong target, life itself becomes elusive.” When someone is in constant turmoil, frustration, depression, and the like, with an attitude causing them to shout at other drivers, it's time they look at what they are aiming at. Aiming at fame, fortune, or frolic; women, wealth, or words; men, movie stars, or imaginations, has never been a very good target for quality of life. Aiming at aimlessness is another disabling target. Life will run from you, not to you with those kinds of targets. If you don’t believe me, look at the continual parade of shipwrecked people in all sectors of society born to win but conditioned to lose. Many started strong but are in the process of finishing wrong. Why? Maybe it’s what they are aiming at. If you don’t know where you are going, you’re bound to get there. Where is God in all this? If God has said He has a great plan for your life, isn’t it time we started believing Him? God doesn’t want something from you. God wants something for you. All God is trying to do is put us in a position to succeed. How? By showing us the right targets to aim at causing an abundant life, not abundant strife. God not only redeems, God lifts you and aims you at new heights, new realms, and new dimensions. So, what do we aim for? What is a better target? Let me give you a hint. When you aim at earth you get nothing. When you aim at heaven, you get earth thrown in. You also get an attitude that attracts real success. Life runs to you, not from you. You see, it’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it. Our takeaway today? Get a target that is best for God, you, and those around you. Then aim at that target. Do what you need to do now to get to your next or you’ll never get there. Here’s another metaphor using a camera saying the same thing as the aiming at a target metaphor. Life is a camera: Focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, when you take a bad photo, take another shot. Note the focus: It’s vitally important to focus on what’s important. Why? What you focus on is what you become. Ed Delph CCC October 22, 2018
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Ed Delph is a leader in church-community connections. Visit Ed Delph's website at www.nationstrategy.com
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