Life Lessons from the Movie, "Wanted"
Have you seen any good movies lately? I recently saw the movie, Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman. I’ll try not to give the movie away, but it made me reflect on what it takes to live a life of significance. R. C. Sproul, in his book, The Hunger for Significance, says, “We want our lives to count. We yearn to believe that in some way we are important. This inner drive is as intense as our need for water and oxygen.”
A life of significance is to acknowledge your worth and live with dignity, meaning, and purpose. Here is some life lessons that can empower all of us, especially leaders, to live significant lives.
Overcome Fear
I will acknowledge that there are some good fears. If I were afraid of running that red light a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn’t have had to pay the doggone ticket I was given by the Po-Po . Some fears, however, are not compatible for a life of significance. The fear of failure, criticism, taking a risk, taking a stand, or success itself can keep you living beneath your potential. It robs you of all you could ever become or accomplish and the difference you can make in the world.
Valorie Burton, in her book, What’s Really Holding You Back?, says, “Fear is a natural reaction to the challenges of life, but in order to follow your path to success, you must confront your fears and summon the courage to overcome them. If you don’t, you’ll never experience the full rich life you were created to live.”
People committed to a life of significance can put their fears in check and live with boldness. Living with boldness is definitely what following Jesus is all about (Acts 1:8). Don’t settle for the mundane. Overcome your fears that unnecessarily rob you of a more meaningful and joy-filled life. Fear gives us lame excuses that keep us from destiny. Don’t make excuses. Make things happen. Go for it!
Know Who You Are
A question was asked in the movie, “Why are you here?” The response was, “I don’t know who I am.” When you don’t know who you are, you can easily fall into the hands of those who appear to be helpful, but are actually trying to hurt you. As I continue to journey through life as a leader, I am finding how important it is to get a clearer sense of my identity. Along with this comes more confidence in my strengths and the persistence to overcome my weaknesses. This feeds into a greater sense of discernment between persons I need up close to help me and those I need to maintain at a safe distance.
Not knowing who we are can make us “needy”. This can make you more dependent on others than you need to be. This opens the door to relationships with people you think you need who are actually deceiving you and trying to hurt you. T. D. Jakes, in his book, Maximize the Moment, says, “They are seemingly kind, apparently loving, whispering flattering words and sweet promises, which make your cheeks blush and your heart go pitter-patter. They are the proverbial wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
So, how can you get to know who you are? A foolproof way to knowing yourself is to know God. He has a way of making us aware of our strengths and weaknesses as we are continually exposed to His greatness. It’s sad to think how so many leaders are trying to lead with a false sense of identity that leads to controlling issues, manipulation, and various other evils. Knowing God opens the door to knowing what He can do through us, for us, in spite of us, with us, and, believe it or not, without us! This knowledge brings indescribable security that keeps you from attaching your sense of worth to your money, title, possessions, or anything else that can easily vanish. Instead, your worth comes from knowing He loves you and has great plans for you (Jer. 29:11). Trying to know yourself without trying to know God is like trying to play golf with no clubs-it simply is not the way the game is designed to be played.
Be Determined to Walk Into What God Has Predetermined
The Scriptures make reference to God’s predetermination of events in history (Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:4-5; 2:10). In other words, there are things that happen because God set them up to happen. This does not mean that we simply sit back and accept everything as “God’s will” or fate. We have to determine to partner with God and make the necessary decisions in order to position ourselves for what He has set up for us.
It was predetermined for Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. In order for this to happen, Moses had to set his excuses aside, go back to Egypt, and take them toward the Promised Land that was predetermined for them to occupy.
If you believe deep down in your soul that there are better things in life prepared for you, prepare yourself to walk into them. Just as it was not easy for Moses to get out of Egypt, it will not be easy for you to get out of yours. If you and I are going to walk into what God has predetermined, we need to:
1.Describe the prepared place. Describing the prepared place gives us a vision of where we’re headed. Visions give hope and inspire us to keep moving forward despite the challenges we face. Where there is no vision, people perish.
2.Get rid of every excuse that holds you back. Moses’ excuse of stuttering was not a legitimate one to keep him from fulfilling his purpose. With God, nothing is impossible for those of us who believe. Treat your excuses like most folks are treating their SUV’s…get rid of them.
3.Get some help. For every Moses, there is an Aaron. Don’t go it alone. Hook up with others who compliment you and bring out the best in you.
4.Start with what you have. Will you ever have enough money or time or whatever to get started? When the time is right, simply make your move toward what is prepared for you.
5.Be ready to confront. Some Pharaohs will not let you go until you confront them.
6.Trust God. Trust Him to be with you, lead you, pace you, provide for you, and fight your battles.
7.Count the cost. Many never live a life of significance simply because they aren’t willing to pay the price. Despite the challenges, keep growing and keep going and the rewards will make it all worthwhile.
Don’t attach your worth to your money, title, possessions, or the powerful people you know. Live a life of significance by overcoming fear, knowing who you are, and walking into what is prepared for you. Be encouraged!
A life of significance is to acknowledge your worth and live with dignity, meaning, and purpose. Here is some life lessons that can empower all of us, especially leaders, to live significant lives.
Overcome Fear
I will acknowledge that there are some good fears. If I were afraid of running that red light a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn’t have had to pay the doggone ticket I was given by the Po-Po . Some fears, however, are not compatible for a life of significance. The fear of failure, criticism, taking a risk, taking a stand, or success itself can keep you living beneath your potential. It robs you of all you could ever become or accomplish and the difference you can make in the world.
Valorie Burton, in her book, What’s Really Holding You Back?, says, “Fear is a natural reaction to the challenges of life, but in order to follow your path to success, you must confront your fears and summon the courage to overcome them. If you don’t, you’ll never experience the full rich life you were created to live.”
People committed to a life of significance can put their fears in check and live with boldness. Living with boldness is definitely what following Jesus is all about (Acts 1:8). Don’t settle for the mundane. Overcome your fears that unnecessarily rob you of a more meaningful and joy-filled life. Fear gives us lame excuses that keep us from destiny. Don’t make excuses. Make things happen. Go for it!
Know Who You Are
A question was asked in the movie, “Why are you here?” The response was, “I don’t know who I am.” When you don’t know who you are, you can easily fall into the hands of those who appear to be helpful, but are actually trying to hurt you. As I continue to journey through life as a leader, I am finding how important it is to get a clearer sense of my identity. Along with this comes more confidence in my strengths and the persistence to overcome my weaknesses. This feeds into a greater sense of discernment between persons I need up close to help me and those I need to maintain at a safe distance.
Not knowing who we are can make us “needy”. This can make you more dependent on others than you need to be. This opens the door to relationships with people you think you need who are actually deceiving you and trying to hurt you. T. D. Jakes, in his book, Maximize the Moment, says, “They are seemingly kind, apparently loving, whispering flattering words and sweet promises, which make your cheeks blush and your heart go pitter-patter. They are the proverbial wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
So, how can you get to know who you are? A foolproof way to knowing yourself is to know God. He has a way of making us aware of our strengths and weaknesses as we are continually exposed to His greatness. It’s sad to think how so many leaders are trying to lead with a false sense of identity that leads to controlling issues, manipulation, and various other evils. Knowing God opens the door to knowing what He can do through us, for us, in spite of us, with us, and, believe it or not, without us! This knowledge brings indescribable security that keeps you from attaching your sense of worth to your money, title, possessions, or anything else that can easily vanish. Instead, your worth comes from knowing He loves you and has great plans for you (Jer. 29:11). Trying to know yourself without trying to know God is like trying to play golf with no clubs-it simply is not the way the game is designed to be played.
Be Determined to Walk Into What God Has Predetermined
The Scriptures make reference to God’s predetermination of events in history (Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:4-5; 2:10). In other words, there are things that happen because God set them up to happen. This does not mean that we simply sit back and accept everything as “God’s will” or fate. We have to determine to partner with God and make the necessary decisions in order to position ourselves for what He has set up for us.
It was predetermined for Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. In order for this to happen, Moses had to set his excuses aside, go back to Egypt, and take them toward the Promised Land that was predetermined for them to occupy.
If you believe deep down in your soul that there are better things in life prepared for you, prepare yourself to walk into them. Just as it was not easy for Moses to get out of Egypt, it will not be easy for you to get out of yours. If you and I are going to walk into what God has predetermined, we need to:
1.Describe the prepared place. Describing the prepared place gives us a vision of where we’re headed. Visions give hope and inspire us to keep moving forward despite the challenges we face. Where there is no vision, people perish.
2.Get rid of every excuse that holds you back. Moses’ excuse of stuttering was not a legitimate one to keep him from fulfilling his purpose. With God, nothing is impossible for those of us who believe. Treat your excuses like most folks are treating their SUV’s…get rid of them.
3.Get some help. For every Moses, there is an Aaron. Don’t go it alone. Hook up with others who compliment you and bring out the best in you.
4.Start with what you have. Will you ever have enough money or time or whatever to get started? When the time is right, simply make your move toward what is prepared for you.
5.Be ready to confront. Some Pharaohs will not let you go until you confront them.
6.Trust God. Trust Him to be with you, lead you, pace you, provide for you, and fight your battles.
7.Count the cost. Many never live a life of significance simply because they aren’t willing to pay the price. Despite the challenges, keep growing and keep going and the rewards will make it all worthwhile.
Don’t attach your worth to your money, title, possessions, or the powerful people you know. Live a life of significance by overcoming fear, knowing who you are, and walking into what is prepared for you. Be encouraged!
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