²³“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’                     -Matthew 25:23

It’s been 3 months since I’ve moved out on my own. It’s going so fast! I just want to share a few things I’ve been learning since I’ve been “On my own. I don’t know how often I’ll blog about this, but here is part 1.

You don’t find a great life, You build One – When I heard Joe Mcgee say this years ago it changed my life. I think the best part of being on my own is that whatever I become in life now is entirely up to me. “With great power (freedom) comes great responsibility” sums it up pretty well. I’m free to come and go as I choose, have people over as often as I want, I’m free to do anything I want. The best part about this – my values and beliefs are based on God’s Word. I’m building my life on the Word of God and the principles God’s given us to live by – because of this – the life I’m building is going to be unbelievable!

Food is Expensive and Goes Really Fast! – I look at food in such a different light now that I can’t just open my fridge and cupboard and see the endless amounts of food my dad provided for me for free. It makes me appreciate what my dad did to provide for me so much more. When I go to peoples houses and they make dinner for me – I’m more grateful than I’ve ever been. I’m really looking forward to when I’m  able to have a ton of people over and provide feasts for them!

I was not wise in spending my money - I remember when I told my dad I was moving out and I’d be renting. He said, “I think you’re dumb – you could be saving all that money renting by staying at home.” That is a true statement – I could be saving money by living at home, but the question is – Would I be saving money? Nope! Before I moved out I had all the money I wanted to get Starbucks everyday, go everywhere, eat out whenever I wanted, etc..  Since I moved out and actually have to budget my money! In tracking my expenses for the past year and a half I was able to see where I was not being wise in spending money and cut it out of my life (i.e. $60/month at Starbucks). I’m learning to deal with finances wisely, and while I’m paying $X a month in rent, I view that as tuition in the school of handling money wisely. It’s worth it!

God is My Source - It’s easy to believe God is your source when you don’t need money, don’t need healing, don’t need salvation, it’s a lot harder to believe He is your source when you do need those things. That is where faith kicks into gear. Do you really believe God’s Word is true or don’t you? I’ve come to learn that my job isn’t my source, my parents, or anyone or anything else. God is my source and He always provides everything I need and even more so I can be a blessing to others. Being on my own has stretched and grown my faith big time and this is only the beginning!
Those are the big 4 things I’ve learned thus far . . . thoughts?

What He opens, no one can close; and what He closes, no one can open. I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.                               -Revelation 3:7-8

One thing led to another and….

Isn’t that a pretty common saying when someone is telling the story of their success? Maybe in a relationship, getting a promotion, or becoming the CEO of a company. “We met in the library at school, started talking, one thing led to another and now we’re married!” “I looked for ways to go above and beyond my job description, one thing led to another, and I got a promotion!” I think you get the point…

My question to you is – where will the opportunities you take advantage of take you? Here are some possibilities:

Your Opportunities will lead you to new relationships – I love new opportunities because it always provides a way to build new relationships with people I’d never normally have a relationship with.

Your Opportunities will lead you to new responsibilities – We’ve been talking about this all along – be faithful with little and you’ll eventually be in charge of a lot!

Your Opportunities will bring you in front of Important People – Proverbs 22:29 says that competent workers will serve Kings rather than working for ordinary people. When you’re diligent in what you put your hand to now, people will notice, and before you know it, you’ll be in front of people you never thought even noticed you exist.

Your Opportunities will lead you to new places - I always think of Abraham – his opportunity to obey God led him to the land of milk and honey. He seized the opportunity in front of him and didn’t look back. I’m going to guess that he doesn’t ever look back and regret the choice to take a risk. Neither will you – step out!

Your Opportunities will lead you to achieve all of your dreams - Again, nobody just arrives at the top. Nobody “just” achieves all of their dreams. It’s the result of taking advantage of the hundred little opportunities in life that often lead to the one big opportunity.

Thoughts?