There we go. Three days into 2018. Remember that excitement in our “souls” about how this year would be different and how we would do great things. I bet most of us have just gone back to our old routines and habits because it’s just so much easier to do.

Doing things that count, and living a life that makes a difference, just takes so much effort. Why even bother? Just go back to what you are used to. Go back to your comfort zone!

Hey! Here are the facts.

• If you keep on doing what you’ve always been doing, the results will never change!
• If you are too afraid to step out of the boat, you will never feel the exhilaration of walking on water.

Life is about exploring. It’s about pushing the boundaries to see what’s on the other side of the wall that surrounds your comfort zone. Life is about being thankful and showing that thankfulness by how we live. It is about being so blown away by the grace that God has shown us, that we show grace to every single person. It’s about being so excited about the love that Jesus showed us on the cross, that we can’t wait to share that love with others.

We need to stop showing everybody what we don’t stand for, and start showing the world what we do stand for – LOVE! And if you and I don’t start, it’s never going to happen. I dare you! Do this with me… be the spark that starts the flame that sets the world ablaze with love.

 

 

In the Northern Territory of Australia, where I live, there are frequent boards like these, close to bodies of water. Common sense says, “Don’t go where there’s danger! Stay in the safe zone!” In this case, stay out of the water. If you are anything like me, you have an “adventurous” side. You love to go where you know there is danger. You want to push the boundaries and tempt fate. And you know what… I don’t think that’s a bad thing! I think it’s healthy to go on the path less travelled. I think it’s super important to step out of your comfort zone and to test yourself. But when you do decide to swim with the crocodiles, you need to be aware of the danger and face the consequences.

When you step out of your comfort zone, you step into unknown territory. It’s a place filled with risks, but also a place where you will find great rewards. It’s the only place that really gets the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing. It’s a place where there will be failure…no doubt! But it’s also a place where there will be successes. And they will only be experienced when we make some life changes. Like getting off that “comfortable couch of life” where I am absorbed in watching how other people are living their lives. Like spending less time on social media and rather becoming more social in “real life”. Like watching less episodes on TV and rather living out the exciting episodes of my life.

Maybe it’s crazy, but I got into the water where that sign was, and I swam to the waterfall on the far side. Only by facing the danger of the unknown in the pool, could I experience the reward of standing under the cold, fresh waterfall.

If you want to experience life and build a bridge that will make a difference to the lives of others, you net to “get into the water”. If you want to be used by God to be a history maker, you need to get out of the boat and get into the water. God doesn’t call us to stay in our comfortable little environment. He calls us into the “danger zone”. Into a place where it would be impossible to do things in our own strength and with our own courage. He calls us into the water teeming with “crocodiles” and the only way we would dare to step in, is because we know He is with us. We do it in His strength and in the courage that He gives us.

The build-up to this day is mind-blowing. I sat in a shopping mall in Darwin (yes we do have some of those here) a few days ago. No surprise that it was in a coffee shop, enjoying some java (the coffee shop actually called “Java Blue”). What a treat just to sit and watch people. Not going on my phone, not checking mail or Facebook, not reading the newspaper – just sitting. The place was packed with people.

Mothers with their kids (some so worn out from the shopping that they just couldn’t stay awake), dads with their kids (trying to multi-task and probably losing some of the children in all the rush), just parents (probably looking for their kids), and kids (probably trying to find their way home). All because of Christmas. Or actually, all because of what we made Christmas to become. In Australia, $10 billion was spent on Christmas presents this year. It has become a money-making-I-better-get-something-for-every-person-I-know day. What are we actually doing?

The real point of Christmas is lost somewhere between the 20th present that is bought and me getting uptight because I didn’t get what I wanted.  It’s not about getting anything, it’s about what has already been given to us… Jesus our Saviour. He is worth far more than that drone you thought you were going to get or that necklace you were hoping for. He has given something that will outlast any other present that you could ever receive. ETERNAL LIFE!!! Two words that Christmas is really about. “Eternal” which outlasts any present you can ever receive, and “Life” which is not just existing, but a life of purpose and joy. And all we need to do is recognise this gift.

My prayer for you is that you will put Christmas into perspective and make sure that, next year, you don’t get caught up in the rat-race of “commercialised Christmas” but rather experience the peace and calm that Jesus brings to your life. Have an amazing day with your friends and family as you celebrate the most amazing gift ever – the gift of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Think about all those ideas you had in your life! All those things you wanted to achieve, all those places you wanted to go and all those dreams you had. How many of them actually became a reality?

My answer to that question is, “Not enough!” I don’t regret the way I’ve lived my life and I wouldn’t change anything. The good things I’ve done I’m proud about and the bad things I’ve done, I’ve learnt from. Because I haven’t done as many things as what I would have liked to do, I’ve learnt from that and I’m pursuing them now.

It’s a great place to be when you realise that whether other people think you can achieve your dreams or not, doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you believe! And the most important thing you need to hold on to when others don’t believe in you, is that God created you full of potential. He created you with so much possibility. He wants you to know that you can do anything if your belief and faith is in Him.

Isn’t it awesome to know that the God who created the universe wants me to live out my full potential and is telling me that I can, if I just trust Him. If anyone tells you that you can’t do something, don’t argue. Just tell them, “I can, because my dad (God) says I can!” and then you go and prove them wrong, and you prove God right by doing it.

And remember, it is never too early or too late, to pursue your dreams. Start today and your tomorrows will be victorious!

Have an amazing day!

 

A common answer we get, or we give, when asked something today is “Whatever” or “I don’t care!”

That’s exactly the problem. That’s what’s called indifference. And we have become a society that is so self-focused, that we are indifferent to the needs of others. Have a look at some of these statistics:

• Around 30 000 people starve to death every day
• 3400 people are sold or kidnapped and forced into slavery every day
• 1200 people are murdered every day

Our natural answer to this is “That’s very sad but what can I do about that?” That’s not really an answer, that’s a cop out. That simply means that we are not willing to step out of our comfort zones and to sacrifice our privileged living, to help someone else. If we can’t physically get to help those people, there are more than enough organisations who are on the ground, in these places, willing to do the dirty work. All they need is some financial help.

It’s far too easy just to say that we feel sorry about the things that are happening in the world. If we really felt sorry about these atrocities, then we would take action. Because the only way that things change, is when we do something to change them.

 

You don’t find pearls lying around on the beach. To find one, you need to dive deep and put in some effort. Why do we then think that things will just fall into our laps because we want them?

We all have dreams. Well I certainly hope you do, because without dreams and goals, we lose the excitement of what it means to truly be alive. For those dreams to become more than just a mirage in the distance, we need to do something about them. The difference between a dream staying a dream, and a dream becoming a reality, is a lot of hard work in the middle.

We are living in a society where commitment and hard work have become swear words. Why should we be committed and work hard? That means “effort”, which is something that society doesn’t always approve of. It’s all about the NOW. We want things, and we want them NOW! And, apparently, we deserve to have it now.

If you are hungry and you crave something good to eat, don’t go home and cook a great meal. It will take way too long. Go to KFC and grab a bucket of chicken, If you want that new set of golf clubs, don’t save for it. That will take too long for you to enjoy them. Buy them on credit so that you can get them NOW! If you want to go on that dream holiday, don’t save for it until you can afford it. Rather put it on your credit card and go NOW! If you want $10 000, don’t take 5 years to save for it, swindle someone out of their money or rob a bank.

It sounds a bit drastic, but that is the result of not being willing to work hard for what you want. Let me tell you something. The best feeling in the world, is when you have put a lot of time, effort and sacrifice into something, and it eventually happens. I remember when I had just completed my military service in South Africa and I wanted to go to university. My parents never had the money to pay for me and my dad suggested I find a job. That would have been the easier route to follow, but I had a dream and I was willing to work for it.  I ended up taking a loan to pay for my 1st year. At the end of that year, I had to put my studies on hold, find an apartment, and work, in order to save for the rest of my degree. While looking for a job, I ended up sleeping in a tent for 2 weeks. I eventually found a job in a sports store during the day and a pub at night. This also enabled me to move into a bachelor pad.  I worked from 7:30am till 5:00pm in retail and started my 2nd job as a barman from 5:30pm till 1am. This I did, 6 days a week for 11 months. Five years later I completed my teaching degree. The pride and sense of accomplishment I felt when stepping on stage on graduation day was so satisfying.

Please don’t give up on your dreams because they seem out of reach or because nobody else seems to think they can be accomplished.  Have you ever heard of this saying: “First, people laugh at you. Then they argue with you. Then you win!” That is often what it takes to have a vision and a dream that nobody else can see. There is a graveyard of amazing dreams because so many people weren’t willing to step out of their comfort zone to make them happen. Don’t be one of them!

You were created for a purpose. You were born to make a difference that only you can make. Go ahead! Make it happen!