Submitting to God's Plan January 27, 2013

So these past few months, I've been talking to Steve Washington more, reading the Bible more and just trying to listen to the signs that God has given me. For example, understanding why our finances are the way they are and finding true happiness in all areas of my life. I never thought that reading the Bible would mentally and spiritually help me as much as it has in these past few months. I take readings and can apply them to my life. I feel I am more prepared to listen, receive, plan and give- than ever before. Just a couple of examples I wanted to share. 1 being a conversation I was having with Steve via text message. I was telling him that my aunt is helping us financially by getting a HELOC on her house that would basically pay off our debt/lower our payments. I realize how many people do not have anyone that can help them and I need to take this as a sign to not take anything I receive in the future for granted. He said that this was a "rainbow" from God, to let me know that he is still around- watching over me. He later shared the passage from James 1, basically saying that we need to reach/embrace the bottom/depths of our challenges/trials because it is during these times that our faith in God is tested. Easily, I can say- "why did you do this to me?" but instead, I have to understand that there is a greater purpose and that good is to come. Another example is a conversation that I had with another Steve. We hadn't talked in a while so he was giving me an update on his life, which mostly revolved around his businesses and houses that he bought, houses he plans to buy, etc. Later that night, I read Matthew 19, which talks of a young rich man who is asking Jesus how can he receive "eternal life." Jesus later told him to abandon his possessions, which the man could not do. The conversation with Steve L. did not fire me up. I did not feel fulfilled or inspired to go out and try to get a house, etc. All I could think after I got off the phone with him was how superficial it all sounded. Not that I don't have respect for what he does. Just saying that what I heard was passion about money and excitement to grow a portfolio of real estate, nothing more. He did mention that he wanted to get into motivational speaking, but didn't really emphasize too much on that aspect of his life. I just didn't get the feeling that if Jesus asked him to abandon his possessions, that it would happen so easily. Not saying that I'm so Godly that I would leave my possessions in a heartbeat. Just saying that the fire that he spoke with in regards to his possessions is what strikes me. I am so inspired by people who are not only fired up to grow themselves in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense (whether God is involved or not) and are fired up about sharing these experiences with others in order to help others gain something from their own personal growth. My hope is that I can be educated and have a presence with others in order to be a person that inspires those around me to be better people- in whatever way that is right for them.