I had a manager who once got cookies for everyone, but then said, "One for each, please."

Why are you trying to limit me to one?

Well, it was a nice gesture, you might say, but why limit to one!?

Now you may say, "Be grateful," however, don't you know there were so many cookies that they put the box out again the next day with a sign that read, "One each, please." I rebelled; I grabbed two. Shhh—don't tell no one.

I'm joking.

Maybe.

Who knows.

Here's the thing: give and be unrelenting with your giving. Receive and be unashamed with receiving. But don't do either with trepidation or reservation.

We tell people to do the weird thing and people read it to be this crazy, over-the-top thing, but no! Sometimes the weird thing is letting someone love you and being loved. Weird because you aren't used to someone telling you how much they love you and how much you matter.

Sometimes the weird thing is saying no, when you know people have gotten used to you always saying yes and taking on way too much.

Do the weird thing—the thing you'd normally not do because of upbringing, or reservations built in your own mind, or because someone jaded said, "You shouldn't..."

Go. Do the weird thing. This is the time to go be weird.

As you read this, know that success is reserved for those who are okay being considered weird. In fact, some of the most successful people we know were once called weirdos.

I've often told my daughters, after they've called me weird, “Normal is overrated.” Normal is the status quo, the regular, and for some of you, normal is the way it's always been done and anything else is, well, weird. But I challenge you to be weird, because normal is overrated.

2 Peter 1:5-7 (CSB)

[5] For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge,

[6] knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness,

[7] godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

What a lot of people like about Steph Curry, the multi time NBA Champion, the man who holds the record for most three-pointers in NBA history, what a lot of people like about Steph Curry is not merely the fact that he comes across as humble or a person who clearly his faith and family means a lot to him (although all of those are admirable), it's the fact that he makes it look "Steffortless."

Of course, this is a play on words, combining his name, Stephen Curry to the word "effortless." Nevertheless, Stephen Curry makes it look effortless.

And the reality is this: when you find yourself in the practice of something, continually pursuing something, after some time, it's going to look effortless for those who actually are getting started. Now, this may be disheartening to them because they see someone who is doing it effortlessly and think, "Wow, this person puts in no effort." And I must admit to you that sometimes in the grind, it is effortless. It is!

I know that may not sound popular or even encouraging, but it's the truth. As someone who's been married for 16+ years, I can tell you there are days where loving my wife and being present as a father, as a husband, is effortless. It’s just... it’s smooth like butter. I don't even have to try. But there are other days where I have to put in maximum effort.

And we are encouraged through the Scripture that we must make every effort to seek goodness and godliness and endurance. And there are days where you have to put in maximum effort. And other days, because you are creating the muscle memory, it almost feels effortless.

What I would encourage you is that even if it requires maximum effort, keep pushing. Even on the days that it feels effortless, keep pushing.

One of the traps that takes place is that the moment that it starts feeling effortless, we stop pushing. We feel as though we've accomplished it, we've mastered it, so we must look for something else to do. But the reality is that in the moment that it feels effortless, that is a sign of growth and maturation—but that doesn't mean that the growth and that the work is over.

You go back to work! And you take another shot. And you set up. And you take another shot. And you take another shot. And you take another shot. Before every game, after the game, you'll find Stephen Curry on the court practicing. Why? After so many years? After making it look "Steffortless"? Why does he continue to practice?

Because the only way to make it even seem remotely effortless is to be a practitioner. A lot of people like to pontificate on the possibilities and create hypotheses of what should be or how it should work. The reality is that you must be a practitioner. It's when you find yourself working and grinding and doing the thing, that the thing becomes effortless at times. And other times, it requires great effort.

And for this reason, you must make every effort to continue to seek goodness, godliness, endurance, knowledge. You must make every effort. Even when it seems effortless. Because that feeling of effortlessness can actually drive you away from putting in the practice.

And if you're not a practitioner, then what are you?

Sweet Potato Time Travel (noun): The strategic act of doing something slowly to ensure you have sustained stability in the future.

I remember going to the bodega as a kid and stocking up on penny candies. You could get a bunch of candies for a penny! We would get a bunch of stuff, then we'd sit on the porch or somewhere outside eating candies and getting a sugar rush. They don't sell penny candies anymore, and those days are long behind us. However, most times we're looking for that quick rush, that sugar spike, that quick boost.

When establishing a goal, you are likely to feel that sugar rush. It's like getting ready for the first day of school. I actually had a cousin who was so excited for the first day of school that he went to sleep in his first day outfit. I know this to be true because my cousins and I had a sleepover so that we could all go to school together. When it was time to go to bed, we all started putting our clothes to the side and prepping our things; meanwhile, he started to get dressed!

We asked him, "Why are you getting dressed now?"

One of his brothers concluded that he was likely making sure everything fit for tomorrow; however, he replied by saying, "I want to wake up ready for school."

We started laughing, but he was so excited for this new school and the first day, he had a sugar rush! And when we are starting something new, despite the fact that there might be some trepidation leading up to the moment, those nerves are followed up by a sugar rush.

Too often, we are chasing the sugar rush. We are chasing a high. In fact, we conclude that if it doesn't make me feel a high, then it won't be right. We think that rush has to be present every day as a confirmation that we are in the right direction. But do you know how many times my cousin went to bed dressed ready for school? Once: the first day. And do you know when you are likely to feel that rush? The first day.

As you get past day 7, day 15, day 45, the rush wears off and has likely disappeared. And if all you are chasing is the rush, you'll likely rush along to the next exciting thing. But let's be honest, strategies aren't sexy! The constant grind isn't attractive. The rush fades and only makes a special appearance like a celebrity showing up on a sitcom. Therefore, you must get behind the rush, the spark, and go for slow.

Think sweet potato. Unlike simple sugars (penny candies) that spike your blood sugar giving you a rush, sweet potatoes digest slowly, thus providing a steady stream of energy. As we work towards our goals, that's what we want! Sweet potato: stable, steady growth. It ain't sexy, I know. But Sweet Potato Time Travel is the strategic act of doing something slowly to ensure you have sustained stability in the future.

Waking up early to go to the gym may not always be a dream come true, but think sweet potato. Studying isn't always sexy, but think sweet potato. It ain't sexy, it won't be posted on social media or touted or bragged upon, but it will allow for sustainability.

Here's the big idea:

Sweet Potato Time Travel (noun): The strategic act of doing something slowly to ensure you have sustained stability in the future.

When others get flashy, you keep it simple. When your pride tries to tell you to compete with others, keep steady. When it seems like you aren't seeing changes now, think of future you. When you aren't feeling that sugar rush, think sweet potato.

If what you're trying to accomplish was easy, it would not be a goal. It would not require a set of habits, a specific attitude, or a specific aptitude; it would be an errand. It would be something that you would put on the to-do list like shoveling, taking out the trash, or doing groceries.

The effort required for those things is minimal. You could probably do those things with your eyes closed. I know when I go to the supermarket, I know exactly which aisles things are in—like where the cereal, pasta, and vegetables are. I know where those things are. It requires minimal effort.

But when you talk about a goal that you want to accomplish, it requires determination, grit, attitude, aptitude, and willingness. If it were easy, it would not be called a goal; it would be called an errand. Anyone could do it during their lunch break or even during the weekend right before they pick up laundry. Because it isn’t easy, it requires more of us.

​I recently watched A24’s The Smashing Machine, and while some critics framed Mark Kerr’s story through the lens of a "loser," I saw something much more relevant to our daily lives.

​I didn’t see a loser. I saw the dangerous impact of a toxic relationship.

​The character of Mark Kerr and his girlfriend were destructive to one another. It was a sobering reminder that regardless of the potential you have—or I have—a bad relationship will always have a negative impact on that potential.

​The most striking part? He was in close proximity to healthy, supportive friends, yet he chose to protect the toxic relationship over the healthy ones.

​The Lesson: You can be inches away from the right people, but if you are anchored to the wrong ones, you will stay stationary. Misplaced loyalty is a high price to pay for a capped future.

​Don't protect the relationships that are preventing your growth.

I was recently moving some chairs around and, unfortunately, hit my toe. Oh! Oh, I could still feel the pain

Here's the very interesting thing: It's not the degree by which I stubbed my toe, because, to be honest, I didn't hit my toe in a massive way. It's not like I banged it to the degree that it's bleeding. But it was the angle of the strike; it was the angle at which I hit my toe.

And here's what I want to get at. Oftentimes, we think, "Well, the blow of life wasn't too difficult; it wasn't too challenging." But you know, it's kind of like a kidney shot—caught right, it'll take you down. I remember there was a boxer who was fighting, and he took an abdomen shot—a kidney shot—and as a result, he took a knee and the match was over.

And everyone criticized him and said, "That's how you're going to lose the fight?"

The analysts began to say, "Actually, a kidney shot can really rock your entire being, depending on that angle, the fierceness—I mean, it can actually take you out!"

Of course, Mike Tyson has this famous quote: "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." And so, we think getting punched in the mouth is the only attack that's going to hurt. But there are these shots that, while they may not look severe, actually are. The angle of it impacts us dramatically. It's a shot to the ego, a shot to pride, a shot to something that maybe we didn't even know we had inside.

And so, our decision here, in the face of this reality, should be to build a proper defense—a defense for our habits, for our goals, for our vision, and for our dreams. Build a proper defense.

Oftentimes, we're so on the offense and so going and going and going—like the Energizer Bunny—but we're so on the go that we don't develop a proper defense.

What are you doing to defend your mental health?

What are you doing to defend the goals that you've set?

What about your spiritual life?

How is it?

When's the last time you meditated?

When's the last time you prayed?

When's the last time you sat down to just say thank you for all the things you have?

We build and build and build and are constantly on the offense. When's the last time you defended your post?

You see, it ain't about the strike so much, but the angle of it. Because even though it's been about a good 45 minutes, maybe, since that chair shot to the toe, I still feel the strike because of the angle.

Standout Quote: “True submission is an active alignment of our discipline with His direction.”

Sticky Idea: Praying and Plowing. You handle the plow; let Him handle the rain.

Connect with me:

• Substack: https://substack.com/@miguellebron

• Leadership Hustle Apparel: https://www.miguellebron.com/shop

“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:10 (CSB)

I was conversing with Mairy, my wife, this morning on how often times our brain can be just a beautiful yet very evil companion. It is the very brain that allows us to store memories and generate thoughts and analyze things that also can take us to over-analyzing and overthinking and overcomplicating things. And of course, to all these thoughts we have so much emotion tied to them—whether it be about relationships or the past or the future. We find so much of these thoughts generate and are tied to emotions.

And on top of all of that, we face as well the challenge that we want to be good stewards of our time, good stewards of these relationships, and good stewards of our thoughts. After all, we don't want to become a victim of thoughts and start overthinking and over-analyzing to the degree that we overlook the beauty of life and the beauty of the things that God has entrusted us with.

We don't want to take today's energy to think about problems that may or may not take place in the future. After all, in doing so we may fall into anxiety or, worse, depression. And so there's a battle, a constant battle that takes place: from analyzing to not over-analyzing; from considering and thinking and being strategic, being honest, being transparent, and all the while trying to preserve any integrity a relationship might have.

Walking the Tightrope

"But let your 'yes' mean 'yes,' and your 'no' mean 'no.' Anything more than this is from the evil one."

Matthew 5:37 (CSB)

It's tough, especially when you're dealing with multiple egos, multiple agendas. Now people might say I don't have an ego, but the reality is we all have an ego. For some of us, it takes the wheel and drives. For others, it is silent. But the reality is that we all, to one degree or another, have to battle with our ego and pride.

And so we walk the tightrope. The tightrope of being prudent, the tightrope of being humble but being firm, being flexible but being firm. Even in the scripture, we are called to be both like a serpent and a dove. And this is a very challenging thing to do. This is the tightrope we dance. This is the tightrope we walk.

And sometimes the walk is easy, and other times the walk is hard. Sometimes we can do it almost with our eyes closed—walk this walk on this tightrope. But then when there are situations at hand, it can make it complicated. Situations that involve people that we love, people that we respect and admire, and relationships that we want to preserve. We can find ourselves in a battle where we do want to preserve them and our relationship, but then we must decide: do we want to do it at the cost of our own growth?

​"Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves."

Matthew 10:16 (CSB)

And one could say, "Well, that's your pride speaking, that's your ego, because you're putting yourself ahead of everyone else." But the reality is that sometimes you have to put yourself ahead of everyone else. At some point, you'll have to, because otherwise, you'll continue to sacrifice of yourself. Meanwhile, there are many takers. And some people have gotten so comfortable with your ability to give that they've gotten so comfortable with their ability to take that even when you put up one boundary, one wall, one limit, they act as though you have built the Great Wall of China and you are attempting to kick them out of your life. Or at least that's how we interpret it.

So rather that be their interpretation or the way you think they may, we find ourselves in a predicament. Shall we invest mental energy in these things, allowing our mind to quite frankly play tricks on us? Or do we trust that the people that surround us and that say they love us genuinely do and will respect our decisions, even if they don't necessarily agree with it or even understand it?

A Lesson on Boundaries

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 (CSB)

Recently, my daughter was invited by some friends to sing at an event. And she was nervous because she wanted to be with her friends, but she didn't want to sing at the event. Initially, she tried to say no, but they insisted, so she said yes. She then felt really bad because, well, she just didn't want to do it.

And I encouraged her: You must speak up. This is a good moment for you to actually determine what kind of friends you have. If they are good friends, even if they don't necessarily agree though or understand, they'll at least appreciate your honesty and appreciate the friendship enough to take your answer as a final decision of yours.

She was nervous. She was overthinking. But she did it. She went to them and told them that while she appreciated them and the invitation, she did not want to sing at this particular moment at this particular event. And they, in turn, embraced her and said, "No problem. If you don't want to do it, we understand." And that was the end of that.

Making the Choice

​"The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm."

Proverbs 13:20 (CSB)

You know, sometimes, for as bad as people say middle school and high school was, sometimes middle schoolers, high schoolers, they deal better with these situations than us as adults do. It seems that even in our own adult life we still struggle with the perceptions of others and how they will perceive us and think of us. Especially when we have built a life that involves them.

And I suppose there lies the challenge, yes? A life that we have built that involves them. But it is just that: a life that we have built that involves them. They are not the main character, neither are they the antagonist. Instead, in this story, you are the main character. And so you must make decisions that oftentimes feel uncomfortable, feel nerve-wracking—but you know that.

So how do we do it? How do we make decisions that honor God, that allow us to continue to grow, be good stewards of time, attention, and resources, and all the while maintain these relationships? It would be lovely to be able to provide you a top 10 list or five steps on how to do it, but the reality is that sometimes saying no sucks. The reality is that setting up boundaries doesn't always feel comfortable.

So now you have to make a choice: The uncomfortability of setting a boundary, or the uncomfortability of once again sacrificing your growth, your happiness, your potential for the comfortability of others. Because while we all have an ego, and you might want to keep yours in check, there are others in denial who are oh so quickly to egotistically ask you to sacrifice everything, all the while asking you, "How dare you not?" when they ask of you.

I am currently reading a book. It’s titled Joni. It’s by Joni Eareckson and it’s Joni: The Unforgettable Story of a Young Woman's Struggle Against Quadriplegia and Depression. It’s an outstanding book. The author does a very good job in being transparent in her struggle with faith and the battle of realizing that she’ll never gain mobility again.

But there are a few moments in the book where she goes into this dark depression because she has an outcome that she thinks is going to take place. She thinks God is going to do something, such as have her walk again. And then she realizes she won’t walk again. She then thinks God will allow her to use her hands and quickly realizes that’s not the case.

But then she has an experience in which she realizes that while she was asking God that “His will be done,” she was actually imposing what God’s will should be.

Oftentimes we do this: we say, "God, allow Your will be done," but make sure that Your will is this. We aren't really submitting; we want Him to bend to what we believe is best for us. But we have a responsibility. As James 2:18 says, “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.”

Is there a battle between Sovereignty and strategy?

This Wednesday, we dive deeper into the discipline of submission and show you how you can maintain faith while keeping personal responsibility in your growth.

In this episode, I break down the “Leadershift”—that critical moment when a great follower makes the jump into leadership. We talk about why greatness doesn’t just “spew out of you” in the morning, but requires a conscientious decision to be great right where you are. Whether you’re in a cubicle or the corner office, the higher you are on the totem pole, the more you are called to serve.

• Standout Quote: “If you combine a great leader with a great follower, you can revitalize a sleeping organization”.

• Sticky Idea: Go Beyond the Call of Duty. A great follower finds a way to not simply contribute, but to leave a mark—even when no one is looking.

Connect with me:

• Substack: https://substack.com/@miguellebron

• Leadership Hustle Apparel: https://www.miguellebron.com/shop

Leaders need followers. There is one ideal type of follower the leader needs, a great follower. While the leader needs followers and wants great followers, the idea would be to help them develop into leaders. And just as there are bad followers, good followers, and great followers, the same is true for leaders. However, if you combine a great leader with a great follower, you can revitalize a sleeping organization, build a developing organization, or even start a new organization.

A great follower is someone who goes beyond the call of duty. The follower may be asked to help as a contributor in a particular project, but the great follower will find a way to not simply contribute, but to leave a mark. Where others are quick to help when recognition is the name of the game, a great follower helps even when no one is looking. A great follower understands their role within the organization, and is willing to complete the responsibilities asked of them, and even provide support in other areas; rather than that, they would provide support to those who are involved, provide perspective, or provide their resources, that is, their time.

There is a major difference between a good follower and a great follower. As mentioned, a great follower goes beyond the call of duty; however, a good follower plays it safe and only does what is asked of them. A good follower isn’t the same as a bad follower; a bad follower doesn’t know how to follow, whereas a good follower only follows until their task is complete. They aren’t willing to help develop others, and they say those famous words, “I just work here”. It’s easy to spot a good follower. They clock in on time, they leave when it’s time to go, and they accomplish all of their work. As I said, they are good, but they aren’t great.

Often, we see followers with great potential who do not go beyond the call of duty. These individuals are talented and approachable, but they give no more than what is asked of them, and that is the problem. To grow into a leadership position, a follower must do what leaders do. They must join conversations that seem above their station and interact with those in the corner office, even while working from a cubicle. Without the willingness to exceed expectations and think beyond the cubicle, one will not reach the corner office.

The corner office seems to be many people’s goals. Indeed, that is a nice goal. However, we must understand that the higher we are on the totem pole, the more we are called to serve. If going beyond the call of duty is an issue as a follower, how will you act when it is asked, demanded, or expected of you while you sit in the corner office? A cozy chair just doesn’t get too comfortable; don’t lean too far back, otherwise, you won’t see it coming. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. You’ll miss the leadershift.

What is leadershift? It’s when a great follower transitions into leadership. This critical moment marks true change, watch out! Great leaders help great followers become leaders, guiding them to put it all together. Leaders need followers. So, how do we help great followers become leaders, and also help good followers take the steps to become great followers?

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This is for the followers who want to make the shift, from good to great; from a great follower to a great leader. This is for the leader who wants to ensure the longevity of the organization and leave a legacy by developing great leaders. This is for that person who possibly thinks they are a bad follower when they simply need to apply all their raw talents with hard work to make a masterpiece.

I believe there is a formula, and I intend to share with you that formula. It’s the necessary formula to help a great follower make the shift, the leadershift. No leader is going to hold their position forever, no matter how great they do the job. So, let’s start spotting the bad, good, and great followers to help them make the necessary shift as leaders! And if you are a follower reading this, thank you.

Follower, I believe you are smart, intelligent, wise, courageous, and capable of accomplishing anything you put your mind too such as becoming a great leader, even if you are surrounded by good or bad leaders.

Let’s get to work!

How many times have you heard someone say, "I just work here"? Maybe you’ve said it yourself.

There is a major difference between a good follower and a great follower. A good follower plays it safe and only does what is asked of them. They clock in on time, they leave when it’s time to go, and they accomplish their work. They are good, but they aren’t great.

But if you want the corner office while you’re sitting in a cubicle, you have to go beyond the call of duty. You have to be willing to get into conversations that seem like you have no business being in.

Every teacher started as a student, and if we’re being real, every great teacher is still a student. If you aren't willing to go the extra mile for anyone else, are you even willing to do it for yourself?

This Wednesday, we dive deeper into The Leadershift and show you the formula for turning raw talent into a leadership masterpiece.

In this episode, I break down why gratitude is intended to lead us to growth, and why so many people instead allow it to lead to stagnation. I reflect on my own journey—spending 10 years as an associate pastor in the shadows—and why it was necessary to walk away from the mic for a season to prepare for what we are doing now.

• Standout Quote: “Gratitude is a comma, not a period; it’s a moment to take a breather and meditate, not a moment to come to a complete stop”.

• Sticky Idea: Erase the Comfort Zone. We often talk about stepping out of it, but we must eliminate the cycle of stagnation by erasing the zone entirely. If you have any comfort zone, let it be the presence of God.

Connect with me:

• Substack: https://substack.com/@miguellebron

• Leadership Hustle Apparel: https://www.miguellebron.com/shop

When I was a kid, we were told “please” and “thank you” were magic words, and I believed it. As I have gotten older, it is evident that fewer people know about these magic words. I don’t know which has declined more, “please” or “thank you”. I suppose, given the fact that we recently celebrated Thanksgiving, thank you has been used more. Of course, we cannot ignore that despite the efforts to make the occasion feel authentic, our digital calendars and a nation’s tradition have designated this time.

The gratitude that I’d like to speak to you about is the one that Paul mentioned in his writing in 1 Thessalonians.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 CSB
  [18] Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

The Greek word used here for thanks is eucharisteō (yoo-khar-is-teh’-o), to be grateful, feel thankful. Additionally, the root word means mindful of favors, grateful, thankful: to God. In fact, within the word eucharisteō (yoo-khar-is-teh’-o), we find the word charis, which means grace. And grace is the distribution of God’s riches at Christ’s expense.

• Colossians 3:15 CSB
  [15] And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.

Notice how this gratitude, this thanks, is a direct result of a realization of who God is and what he’s done. Therefore, a Biblical definition for gratitude is the mindful understanding that, despite our best efforts, our existence and possessions are obtained by the rich mercy and hand of God.

With this understanding of gratitude, we can see that gratitude is intended to lead us to growth. When we acknowledge God’s mercy and hand, we position ourselves for growth.

• Jeremiah 30:19 CSB
  [19] Thanksgiving will come out of them, a sound of rejoicing. I will multiply them, and they will not decrease; I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.

Observe how, when the people entered into this moment of expressed thanksgiving, God honored them and multiplied them. There is a power behind gratitude; it becomes a key that opens a door that otherwise would remain closed.

Consider when Paul and Silas found themselves in jail for preaching the gospel, yet they maintained their attitude of gratitude.

Acts 16:25 CSB
[25] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Paul and Silas were behind bars, but they were not prisoners of the moment. They maintained an attitude of gratitude; they still had praise, they still gave thanks.

Acts 16:26 CSB
[26] Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Gratitude doesn’t need a stipulated date on the calendar; it requires a humble heart that recognizes that, despite our best efforts, our existence and possessions are obtained by the rich mercy and hand of God. In the good times, in the not-so-good times, God is good and worthy of all thanks for He has sustained us, He has not abandoned us, and He will complete His promises.

Gratitude is a powerful thing. Being able to give thanks at all times is a beautiful thing. We must, however, understand that gratitude is a comma, not a period; it’s a moment to take a breather and meditate, not a moment to come to a complete stop.

Even the fighter, in between each round, gets a moment to sit. And in that time, in that pause, they get a chance to go over the good and the not-so-good with their corner. So too, you and I are to take a moment to observe it all, and give thanks to the LORD for it all; the good and the not so good.

We might not link rest with gratitude, but indeed rest is not a permanent state; it is intended to be but a moment between rounds, much like gratitude. When we stay in a perpetual sleep, we call that death. So what do we call it when someone makes gratitude a period instead of a comma, that instead of taking a breather, they ended the story?

Gratitude leads to growth, but why then do we see so many people go into an attitude of gratitude and fall into stagnation?

In Numbers 27, Moses understands his time is coming to an end, but he prays to the LORD to assign who will lead the people, and Joshua is assigned.

Numbers 27:18-20 CSB
[18] The LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.
[19] Have him stand before the priest Eleazar and the whole community, and commission him in their sight.
[20] Confer some of your authority on him so that the entire Israelite community will obey him.

In Numbers 31, Moses is given his final mission by God, and the people have a great victory. Then, in Numbers 32, the Rubenites and Gadites make a request.

Numbers 32:5 CSB
[5] They said, “If we have found favor with you, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Don’t make us cross the Jordan.”

After a time of victories, they came and requested that the land be given to them. After every battle, Moses would ensure the spoils were divided equally and distributed fairly among the tribes. However, the Rubenites and Gadites request that this land be given to them. And on the surface, there’s nothing wrong with this request, except for that last sentence: “Don’t make us cross the Jordan.”

A time of blessing and abundance had arrived, but they no longer wished to keep with the mission given by God to take the promised land. Instead, they requested, “Don’t make us cross the Jordan.”

When we allow gratitude to become a period, we assume that the story is over.

We take the attitude that the victories won and the blessings gained are sufficient, but we don’t realize that in taking this attitude, we are limiting God. The story isn’t over.

For the Rubenites and Gadites, their gratitude turned into complacency. And some people have adopted the same attitude. They feel so blessed that they dare not ask or aspire for more. They cannot explain how they made it this far, and this is good enough. And some are playing small, allowing their gratitude to lead to stagnation.

• Numbers 32:6 CSB
  [6] But Moses asked the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your brothers go to war while you stay here?

In the verses that follow, Moses has a conversation with them, reminding them that their complacency isn’t a confirmation of completion; the story isn’t over yet. The Gadites and Reubenites saw that the region was a good one for livestock, and thought we should settle. But Moses had to remind them that settling prematurely would block the fulfillment of the blessings.

Finally, they agreed. The Gadites and Reubenites would first cross the Jordan and complete the taking of the promised land, and then, they would be allowed to return to the land they had requested. Shortly thereafter, Moses died, and Joshua became the leader. And approximately 7 years later, the Gadites and Reubenites returned to the land they requested.

Moses was gone, and a new leader in Joshua, led the people through their grief and through the conquest, and the promise was never forgotten.

In this season of gratitude, we must be careful not to turn our gratitude into a comfort zone. We often talk about stepping out of our comfort zone, but that implies it’s still there waiting for us to fall back in. We must erase the comfort zone. We eliminate the cycle of stagnation. If you have any comfort zone, let it be the presence of God.

I am by no means saying you should not display gratitude or give thanks at all times; instead, what I am saying is that we cannot allow the moment of accomplishment to become a place of complacency. We cannot allow the pause to become a permanent state. We must keep moving, for our story isn’t over. We must keep moving, for our story ends when we stand before the presence of our heavenly father, and he says, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy’ (Matthew 25:23).

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When I was a kid, I was told “please” and “thank you” were the magic words. The reality is that the ability to say them has reduced, but we cannot ignore their power.

Most of us tend to treat gratitude like a finish line. We get the blessing, we say “Thank you, Lord,” and then we park the car. But gratitude is not supposed to be a stop. It’s not a period; it’s a comma.

Think about a fighter. The round is over, he goes to the corner, and the coach is telling him, “You can do this, get back up!” But if that fighter stays in the corner when the bell rings, he loses. He’s taking an “eternal dirt nap” while the fight is still going on.

Are you settling prematurely? Are you telling God, “Don’t make us cross the Jordan,” because you’re comfortable where you are?

This Wednesday, we dive deeper into the “Comma Mindset” and show you how you can erase the comfort zone to avoid the cycle of stagnation.

As New Year’s approaches, many individuals set forth their New Year’s resolutions. They determine how this new year will be different; in fact, many use the social media hashtag "New Year, New Me" to publicize how they are different. Nevertheless, according to Strava, the social network for athletes, the second Friday of January is known as "Quitter's Day." They analyzed over 800 million user-logged activities to pinpoint the exact moment motivation breaks. And it is by day 17 of the new year when many abandon the so-called New Year's resolution.

Jerry Seinfeld is a comedian and actor, and he had this joke about the battle between “Night Guy” and “Morning Guy.” The premise of the joke is that while Morning Guy wants to be productive, Night Guy has no regard whatsoever for Morning Guy. So, Night Guy stays up late, causing Morning Guy to not be at his best. This is a good illustration of how we often find ourselves battling between the goals we've established and the habits we've kept.

In the pursuit of accomplishing our New Year's resolutions, we cannot be ambiguous in our decision-making; otherwise, we will not only have "Night Guy" to face but Quitter's Day.

Let me talk to you about the “Maybe Yes.”

"Maybe Yes" is what we tell ourselves when we hear the call to something greater. On the surface, we say, "This will be nice," and begin to walk towards the horizon. But when we encounter the violent winds and challenges that rise, we shift into "Maybe Yes." We don't want to be caught saying "no" to growth, so we say "Maybe Yes." Thus, we give ourselves an out. We walk the tightrope of ambiguity, not committing.

But can you imagine a man and his bride standing at the altar, and the groom replies, "Maybe Yes," when the minister asks, "Do you take this woman as your wife?" What do you think she will say about his commitment?

Recently, my wife and I looked at the calendar and we started talking about the New Year and our resolutions. And as we looked at the calendar, one date stood out to us: January 9th. This is our anniversary date. When I said "yes" to my wife, I promised "yes" in 2010, and in 2026, I still say "yes."

This isn't about more strategies; this is about commitment. No one can stop you if you've mentally prepared yourself, emotionally committed yourself, prayerfully commanded yourself, and say yes come hell or high water.

If we break the year into quarters, then the game has begun. The real, remarkable athletes have the ability to put behind them the previous quarter or even previous moments that did not measure up to their expectations. So, as you enter into this new quarter, be able to look at the scoreboard and come into this with a type of amnesia where you put behind you what could not be accomplished.

This is a level of amnesia that does not ignore what needs to be adjusted; we review the tape and review what went right and what went wrong, and then adjust appropriately. Instead, this level of amnesia allows you to put behind the feeling or emotion tied to the lack of execution and look at what lies ahead with a fresh perspective, turning the Ls into lessons.

Recently, my wife said something that was really profound as she delivered the first sermon of the year: “What you consider to be a curse is actually the course God is using to develop you." The momentary amnesia that we're speaking about is going to require you to see even those missed shots as a blessing; for having missed a shot, you gained perspective for the next one.

As I walked into the office today, the security clerk and I made eye contact. I said, “Happy New Year,” and he said, "Happy New Year to me as well." I asked him how it went with his new year. He said, “Great,” then proceeded to say, “New year, new me.” I replied and said, “Let's get it, my guy!”

Some of this we can't control, like the changing of the calendar; it's going to happen regardless. The start of the new quarter is going to come regardless. However, it is your responsibility to be ready and have a level of amnesia. Analyze what took place that you could have done better—a shot that you missed or maybe didn't put all your effort in. If truly this is a new you, then truly you must put all your effort into it.

As you know, there are 24 hours in a day. Therefore, you have 24 chances to be able to make this count. You begin to stack 24 on top of each other, and before you know it, you will have scored more than what you have missed. But you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so this quarter make sure you take every shot, and forgive yourself if you missed it last year! You've got to have the confidence that this is your year; this is the quarter where everything changes.

That's the attitude the great athletes have. They go into the next quarter thinking, "This is my quarter." They go into the next round thinking, "This is my round." So, this is the moment for you to muster up all your strengths and proceed forward. And please, beware of Quitter's Day, which comes around every January 17th.

It was all a dream, a bad dream, but a dream nonetheless. After waking up from a bad dream, I found myself lying in bed, thinking. I could feel every blink of an eye I made, and the house was quiet enough that I could hear my thoughts clearly, crystal clear. This is scary. In the constant go, sometimes all you need is to wake up and feel the silence of the night. The alarm hasn't gone off yet, and no one is awake. And all I can think about is that dream.

As a kid, when I had bad dreams, I would try to go back into them and recreate the moment, rewriting the part I didn't like. I tried doing the same with this one, but no alternative ending led to a happy ending. So, I stayed awake. I felt the blinks. And then, I prayed. I asked God What now? What next? What do I do with this dream and the experience?

The alarm went off; time to get back to the reality of life. Forgive the writings of an old man, or bear for a moment. Long ago, things seemed simpler, and that was either two weeks ago or two years ago, I can't tell, but I know there's no going back. And I suppose that's what made me want to grab the digital pen and write... but there is no putting Pandora back in its box, there's no taking back what was said, and there is no ignoring what has already been brought out to the light.

So, it was a dream, the time we walked in ignorance or lack of boldness, but it was a bad dream. Having awoken from complacency, how then shall we go back? I know this is scary, and it feels like, well, I don't know what it feels like, but it's worth exploring. After all, the alarm went off, and pretty soon it will be time to go to work.

So, I shake myself from the dream, say a prayer to the God above, and walk towards a future that will be... better than last night's dream.

Her unyielding faith in the face of a devastating illness left an indelible mark on me.

It got me thinking about the legacy I wanted to leave behind—how I'd impact those I come in contact with and relationships I hold dear.

Despite being a difficult time, it led to self-discovery and the start of a legacy-focused life.

Remember, some of life's most significant discoveries will be made after life's biggest challenges.