If you find yourself in a scenario where you are stepping out of safety, where you are stepping out of familiar territory, where you are taking a risk and have the potential for doing something great, expect resistance, and expect resistance from some of the people who you thought were on your team or who were on your side. The sad truth is that some people around, not many, but a few people around you would prefer if you stayed exactly where you were, doing exactly what you're doing, even struggling, because it allows them to stay comfortable, and it doesn't remind them that they are capable of doing something more with life.
The moment you decide to step out of the boat and walk on water, the moment you decide to start fulfilling some of that God-given potential is the moment that you become both the greatest inspiration and public enemy number one. Your decision to take a step forward is either going to propel others forward or act as a reminder that they aren't pursuing their dreams or living up to their potential, putting you directly in the line of fire. But that's okay. They are more for you than they are against you, even if it doesn't feel that way. If you are truly pursuing your life's calling, if you are stepping into the very thing that you were created to do then you have to know that, no matter the opposition or the resistance that may come your way, YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS.
What if we stopped using that old and tired definition of success, and what if we thought about it in another way? Perhaps we could think about it like this:
SUCCESS IS PASSIONATELY PURSUING YOUR DREAM, FULFILLING YOUR LIFE'S MISSION, ACCOMPLISHING THE TASK THAT IS AT HAND AND DOING IT WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
I guess you could say SUCCESS IS LIVING WITH PURPOSE. I like to say SUCCESS IS LIVING ON PURPOSE.
Brett Esslinger is a Husband, Dad, Son, Brother, Pastor, Speaker, Leader, Writer whose life goal is to help people unlock their potential and fulfill their life's purpose.
Brett is the founder of Engage City Church & the Author of #HopeNotHype
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