Ten Steps to Unforgettable, Guaranteed!

Nothing exasperates me more. Nothing will limit your possibilities or slam more doors in your face. It threatens to change the very landscape of our country. I see it most often in young people, but sadly, it increasingly manifests itself in adults. My heart breaks for this epidemic of ignorance that sabotages futures. What is it? “I can’t!” Excuses, negotiations, arguments for one's own agenda, whining, complaining, selfish motives, pitting oneself against another to gain an advantage, and all other forms of manipulative behaviors.

I'm all fired up about this right now. The men in my life would say I'm hot and spicy! The spark? Teenagers vying for their wants without consideration for the one who will end up left out. A student requesting help while rejecting every suggestion offered. A person searching for a job and being choosey when they don’t have that luxury. Someone who knows nothing but thinks they know everything. A young adult quicker to give up than go the extra mile. Employees who play games on their phones at work instead of asking the boss what else they can do. Cashiers texting between customers. 

Young person (and anyone else who wants to set themselves apart), you have an opportunity to be neon in a dessert of mediocrity!!! You weren’t made to blend in with the dirt and tumbleweeds. The rulers of this age are grooming you for a desolate life; God’s desire for you is abundant life through Jesus Christ. He created you for significance!

But there’s a catch. In order to set yourself apart from every other human in your generation, you must first lay a foundation of other-mindedness. Jesus taught this mindset in Mark 9:33-35 when the disciples disputed among themselves about who would be the greatest. His answer in verse thirty-five: “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” It’s a biblical truth and immutable principle: the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Focus on serving others, and He will lift you up. It’s 1 Peter 5:6 in action: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” In other words, make or bring yourself low as compared to others and trust the Lord to exalt or lift you on high according to His perfect plan and His impeccable timing. It’s not going to be easy, but it is worthwhile. He gave us the Holy Spirit as a helper because He knew we would need it, so draw on that power to adopt a can-do attitude based on advancing others; a way of thinking that will elevate you above your competition when applying for college, internships, jobs, and other opportunities. Now is the time to develop the values and character traits that will help you attain greatness later.

From a mom, a former public relations executive, a former direct marketing sales director, a co-op teacher, a home schooling parent, an author, writer, business owner, and employer, here are my ten fool proof steps to becoming unforgettable:

1.     Eradicate "I can't" from your vocabulary. Whether attempting a first, pushing harder, facing the impossible, or otherwise stretching beyond your comfort zone, think of reasons you can rather than reasons you can't. Ask for help, and then do what they tell you to do without whining, excuses, or complaining. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).

2.       Give up excuses. Take responsible for your part, choices, actions, and shortcomings. Even if you have a legitimate reason, don't let it become an excuse. It will only hold you back and get in your way. Don’t blame or point the finger at someone else, and forget about what the other guy is or isn’t doing. Just focus on you!

3.     Look for ways around obstacles. If something isn't working, try something else. If you need help, ask. If no one is readily available, go find someone else or wait until someone is available.

4.     Be willing and ready to make short-term sacrifices for long-term gain. You might lose sleep, money, advantage, pleasures, or what you want now to gain something greater later, but your extended vision will enable you to escape the trap of instant gratification, a favorite diversion of the devil.

5.     Look for ways to go the extra mile. Work hard at school and your job. Leave your phone in the car, a locker, or somewhere else where it can't be a distraction. Look for extra ways you can help wherever you are. Don’t accept average. Use God’s word as your gauge and strive for His standards.

6.     If you're looking for a job, seek your top choices, but be willing to work anywhere. When you're eager to do anything, you'll be amazed at the doors God will open for you to do what you prefer.

 

7.     Be concerned about what makes others happy. Be the one to compromise and give up what you want. Be the one to lift up the underdog and extend a hand of friendship.

 

8.     Make the things that advance your priority goals your first priority. If you're saving for college or a car, resist the temptation to have the latest and greatest. Find ways to make money (just make sure it’s honest work). Forego purchases and save. Buy the car, get the job, go to college. Set yourself up to one day have the things you gave up to do what was most important.

 

9.     Show initiative. Brainstorm. Talk to everyone. Be the one to offer ideas. Start your own business. 

10.  Be professional now to be a professional later. Use the phone, not text. Say “Yes, ma'am” and “Yes, sir.” Look a person in the eye. Speak with confidence and volume. Articulate your words. Shake a strong hand. Role-play with your parents or other adults. Talk to people who do what you think you want to do. Ask them what you can do now to position yourself for success later.

DISCLAIMER: Nothing I have said is worth a cent without the saving grace of Jesus Christ. You might as well dismiss it all as self-help psycho-babble. Without God's grace to turn us to Christ and Christ-like virtues, all we know is selfishness and vain conceit. Can-do living requires sacrifice – giving up our own understanding and agenda to make sure someone else gets what they want, achieve something we don't know how to do, or make someone else feel loved, appreciated, or special.

Will you stand out or will you join the rest of a generation being indoctrinated for mediocrity and entitlements? Choose life, and have it abundantly! The life Jesus promises those who are His. Are you? Is the Holy Spirit tugging on your heart to put your faith in Jesus as your Savior? Is He tugging on your heart to obey your Savior by living your life according to His word? Do it!

Lord, give grace to each and every person reading this today. Move on their hearts to become more wholly Yours today.

Shauna Wallace

Holy His

The Prosperity of Obedience

James and I are often asked what we did to be so successful in our business, how a trucker became the CEO of one of the top custom home building companies in our area. Let me say first and foremost, it’s the grace of God. He has ordered every detail of our story. Every house, every customer, every contract, it’s all from Him. We give Him every ounce of glory. Whatever skill, talent, acumen, idea, vision, or knowledge we brought to the table was put in us by Him in the first place. I can’t begin to propose to know the mind of the Lord and why He’s done what He has with and for us, but I can tell you what I have observed of my husband. Ways he did things long before God changed his career. The way he does things now. Principles found in God’s word; commands God desires each of us to obey in order to enjoy the promises He attaches to each one.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”

(Colossians 3:23).

James’ number one priority, from the day I met him, has always been to do whatever it takes to provide for his family. He didn’t care if it was a menial, unimpressive job no one else wanted. He didn’t care if the hours were inconvenient and exhausting. He would do whatever it took, and he was determined to be the very best at that job, which happened to be driving a truck. For many years, he drove for a company that paid him by the load. No benefits. No extras. Then the Lord moved him to a freight company that was union. The pay was better, he received benefits, and it was nearly impossible to get fired. He could have done the bare minimum and brought home the same benefits. But he went to work every day resolved to glorify God by working hard for his employer. He pushed himself to complete every delivery and every pick up on his manifest. He worked nights. He worked weekends. His worked overtime. He sometimes wondered if there was something more for him, but he never compromised in the effort he put forth, and the word of God was proven true:

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much;

and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10).

He was careful with every resource God gave us when we had little, and when He blessed us with our business, he was careful with the stewardship of all that was placed in his trust. He respected the customer, did what he said he’d do, and did the right thing, every time, even if it cost us. We continued to tithe, and when the Lord laid it on our hearts to make a significant contribution toward our church’s building fund shortly after starting construction on our first spec house, we learned what He meant in Malachi 3:10 when He said:

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you

the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing

that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

We had our new mortgage, the construction loan for the business, and no guarantees for success. But the Lord clearly spoke to my heart: “If you’ll sow into my building fund, I’ll sow into yours.” When I told James what God said and how much He said, he thought I was crazy. But as we prayed about it, we knew we were supposed to do it. And we did. Not out of abundance. Not out of security. Not out of our own generosity. Not as a way to manipulate some return from God. It was pure obedience and faith that God would be true to what His word says. We didn’t give to get, but let me tell you, God’s principles don’t fail. He said to give, we did, and He blessed our business. It’s not a formula. We can’t look at our checkbook and say, “Lord, I’m going to give some money to you today so I can have more tomorrow.” But when we are obedient to give when and what He says to give, He does what He says he’ll do – opens the windows of heaven, pouring out such blessing that there won’t be enough room to receive it.

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity;

for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

We love to sow bountifully because God’s ways are sure:  when we give God what is rightfully His in the first place, the Lord will do what He says He will do. When He puts a need before us and puts it on our hearts to meet that need, we give. And then we praise Him. For His goodness. For His abundance. For His provision. For the mighty way He will use the seed He’s sown through us and the harvest He will reap through it. We are always excited to see what He will do, remembering whatever comes from His hand – finances, peace, relationships, understanding, wisdom, discernment, open doors, closed doors – is all part of the abundant life promised us in Christ Jesus. God’s abundance isn’t measured money and things. It is every way He makes our life full, exceeding what is expected, bringing into our lives that which is superior, extraordinary, and uncommon. It is His very presence. His very hand at work in our lives to work out His will. That IS the abundant life; our relationship with Jesus and doing what He says the path to finding it.

“I have come that they may have life,

and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Lord, lead us into the abundant life Christ died for us to have. Fill us with Your power to do what You say as we become more wholly Yours today.

Shauna Wallace

Holy His

Living Unafraid

I think it’s interesting that Romans 13:1-8 touches on living in fear. It runs rampant in our nation as factions fight for moral control of our nation, all sides using fear and smear to gain power and political ground. Some are righteous, others are not. Some fight for righteousness, others do not.

Paul asks, “Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same” (Romans 13:3). I don’t know about you, but I want to live unafraid. Unafraid of the consequences of rulers who don’t love and honor God. Unafraid of the legislation they pass. Unafraid of abusive executive orders, socialist policies, higher taxes, escalating debt, national security (or lack thereof), decreasing personal liberty, increasing government encroachment. This scripture gives us practical instruction for what to do to live unafraid: Be subject – submit in the attitude of our hearts (verse one; see “Who Really Rules?”) – and do what is good! Titus 3:1-2 expounds, “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”

Because America is a republic founded on the idea that government should be “of the people, by the people, for the people” (Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address), it functions according to the voluntary participation of the people who run for office, help those running for office, vote, contact elected officials regarding certain legislation and issues, and otherwise engage in the political process. Even though, as believers, we are not of this world, we are in it, and we have the opportunity to do “what is good” by getting involved in any and all areas of our government as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17), all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).

The phrase “what is good” in the Greek means “of good constitution or nature, useful, salutary, good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, distinguished, upright, beneficial” (Strong’s G18, agathos, www.blueletterbible.com). In everything having to do with governing authorities, we are to have a good constitution, a good nature. We are to be useful and pleasant, joyful and happy. With excellence, living a distinguished, upright life. And do that which is beneficial.

I think of beneficial and I think of I Corinthians 6:12, “‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but I will not be mastered by anything” (NIV). I Corinthians 10:23 says essentially the same thing, but adds, “‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive” (NIV). While the context of these verses specifically deals with eating meat, they can be applied in general to all that is lawful. In all things, we should not only consider what is lawful; we should consider what is beneficial. This truth is relevant for any area of our lives, including politics.

In both scriptures, beneficial is from the Greek word sympherō (Strong’s G4851, www.blueletterbible.com), meaning “to bear or bring together; to bear together or at the same time; to carry with others; to collect or contribute in order to help; to help, be profitable, be expedient.” Its root infers the carrying of a burden, bearing up and upholding, enduring, and bringing forward with one’s conduct (Strong’s G5342, pherō, www.blueletterbible.com). Constructive is from the Greek word oikodomeō (Strong’s G3618, www.blueletterbible.com), which means “to build (up from the foundation); to restore by building, to rebuild, repair; to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness.” In other words, Paul is saying, whatever we do, together, our conduct should collectively help bear, uphold, and endure the  burden of building, restoring, repairing, or promoting Christian wisdom and living for the profit of others. This would include politics. He continues in 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” Or, as he says in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another.”

What, then, is beneficial when it comes to politics? How do we love one another, which is, in effect, seeking the good of our neighbor? First John 3:16 tells us: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” We are to lay off or set aside our feelings, desires, affections, and aversions – our very heart and soul – for others in whatever way God desires. For some of us, like Troy Bonin (www.troybonin.org), that means running for public office. He is laying down his life, his evenings, his weekends, his free time, his finances. When he is in office, he will lay down his lifestyle and dental practice and family life as he knows it now to serve. I’m not saying this verse is a mandate to believers to run for office. But getting involved in politics is one way God may ask us to love others.

Proverbs 29:2 tells us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Likewise, Proverbs 28:12 says, “When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.” This nation is governed by those who are elected and the laws they pass. If godly men serve, the people rejoice. Ultimately, God determines who holds office according to His sovereignty. In order to be elected, however, one must first run for office. Godly men must run and godly men must get involved in the process of electing and governing. Godly people must help their campaigns. Godly people must vote. Godly people must voice their beliefs to their elected officials. If not, we will find ourselves groaning in hiding, which is already starting for the very reason that the righteous aren’t ruling and God’s people aren’t doing good.

Jesus said of the men God gave Him out of this world, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:16-18, emphasis mine). Jesus did not want the Father to remove us from the world, even though we, like Him, are not of it. He sent us into the world, a Greek word whose meaning encompasses the earth itself, the human family, the ungodly multitude, worldly affairs, and government (Strong’s G2889, kosmos, www.blueletterbible.com). While our loyalty is to the kingdom of heaven, we are alien residents in the countries where we reside, and as such, we must do good by loving others in whatever role God places us, including citizen. All of us have a part in politics.

We have been given truth, and we are to preach the gospel in all areas of our lives, including politics. We must be the ones to speak truth. And to get behind those who will. Those, like Troy Bonin, who will hold to biblical truth and principals in the context of serving in government. In the context of expecting others to do the same for the good of the people. Loving neighbors. Being salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). Taking that light to the Hill, whether in Washington, D.C., or at a state or local level. Putting it on a lamp stand and letting it “so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (verse 16).

It is not my or any other person’s place to dictate or judge your choices or establish some form of legalism with regards to Christians and polities. My personal conviction is that it’s better for Christians to be involved than not. As Edmund Burke so famously said, “All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” So, I try to do my part. I vote. I contact my representatives and senators at the state and federal level. I read about events and issues, sign petitions, make donations, forward emails, help educate. I am compelled to do something even as it seems to make no difference at all. Even as I sit baffled by the rapid moral decline everywhere I look no matter what I or others do to fight against it.

My prayer is that together, whatever we do, our humble, gentle, peaceable conduct will collectively help bear, uphold, and endure the  burden of building, restoring, repairing, and promoting Christian wisdom and living for the profit of others, doing so with a good constitution and good nature, speaking evil of no one, being obedient, useful, and pleasant, joyful and happy, doing it with excellence, and living a distinguished, upright life.

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). Do it wholly His.

Shauna Wallace

Holy His