What Direction Are You Going?

Before leaving for the gym over my lunch hour, two co-workers passed by the window of my office obviously on their way out to eat. Purses in hand, smiling, laughing and a bounce in their walks. Since I own a money management firm, my first thought was how is it that they eat out most days of the week and make less money than I do. Then I remembered one of them lives with her boyfriend so two-income household, and the other is working for social reasons because her husband makes enough money she does not have to work. Then my mind went to the fact that both of them are excessively overweight for their height- both are no more than 5'2" and weigh over 200 lbs., one has diabetes and the other just finished chemo and radiation from a bout with cancer. Why aren't they headed for the gym?

As I got out of my desk chair and grabbed my gym bag and ID badge, I realized the answer to all of my questions even the one I ponder everyday: Lord, why am I in this department when it is obvious that I am different than all these people? I have a lot in common with one co-worker who has become my friend but she is 13 years older than me. I noticed she does not go out to lunch or socialize with people in our department also unless they come to her office or invite her out to lunch. So what makes us different per se?

I think it is fair to say my co-worker/friend, Mrs. M, is trying to get somewhere beyond this place. She put her degree on hold until her kids were grown and now she is almost done with her Bachelor's in psychology. She loves school and you are guaranteed a 20-minute conversation if you ask her about her classes. It is refreshing to see someone exciting about learning when it is one of your passions also. She loves the Lord and desire to know Him more and more, along with living her life according to His purpose. She desires to be a Christian counselor after getting her degree and as many free counseling sessions I have received, she will be excellent. Her drive to go after her dreams and make her God known; maybe that is what makes her different???

For me, I think it is a collection of things. However, I think the biggest elements or differences is my love to share with others how much God can do in our lives when we let Him and that I have goals beyond this place. I have to remember and say aloud my goals for me to stay motivated. Play with my kids. Wake up with no joint swelling or pain. Play basketball and ride a bike again. Learn how to swim. Minister to people all over the world. Teach money management classes. Have energy when I come home from work. Promote my business with physical energy and spiritual strength. All these goals require taking care of my body daily which means exercising when no one else around me is going to the gym. Eating properly even though I smell french fries in the hallway at work. Staying focused on my direction which is UP and not straight ahead or backwards.

For whoever is reading this, what direction are you going? Are you passing through where you are now or lodging for a while? Wherever you are, say your goals aloud and see if that makes you move.