Browsing Tag

future

What Google Maps Can Teach You About Success

Posted on May 11, 2015

Devotion on Following God's Plan For Your LifeI want you to imagine for a moment that you were in a new town and you didn’t know your way around. Let’s say that you’ve got a smart phone, and you know that you’ve got Google Maps on the phone. You know that Google maps can give you turn by turn instructions on how to get to your destination.

The interesting thing about your Google maps on your phone is that it is up to you to use it. You can keep your phone in your pocket and never use it and wind up lost. If you don’t ever consult the directions, or look to see where to go on the map, you won’t get to where you want to go. You’ve got to consult something smarter than you…Google Maps to help you get to your destination.

The same is true in life. Whatever path you take in life, you’ll find success in that by letting God lead. Success is consulting God on each turn, like you would Google Maps on your phone to help you get to your destination and to get which way to go.

Proverbs 3:5-7 5. Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the lord and turn away from evil.

So to be successful in life, do what this verse says and let God lead your life. Don’t run around life without direction and lost. Find success in your endeavors by letting God lead. Seek God’s direction in the decisions you make…include Him in what you do.

Self- sufficiency & self dependence have been the ruin of man-kind since Adam. The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavor to live independently of God – Adam Clarke

Just like Adam said, living independently of God, just doesn’t work. It doesn’t bring happiness or fulfillment. When you try to live your life in your own strength and ability you will always fail, be unhappy or feel like something is missing.

The foundation for happiness and success in your life is knowing Jesus and letting him lead in your life. As you go through life, as you make decisions and as you make choices for your future, consult God in everything you do, and you’ll find true success!

If you’re a youth leader and you liked this devotion, we’ve got a lesson outline and powerpoint download available for you in our online youth leader resource center.

 

Finding The Right Career

Posted on February 21, 2014

Finding The Right CareerOne of the toughest decisions to make as a teenager is what you’ll do after you graduate. Until graduation, you’ve had your course mapped out for you at school. Then, once you graduate, suddenly its all up to you. It can seem pretty scary if you’re not 100% sure what you’d like to do once you graduate.

One thing that can make finding a career less scary is to begin discovering what careers appeal to you. Here are a few things you can do to help in the discovery process.

  1. Get to know yourself – Take some time to discover your likes. Do some honest self-inventory. Do you like working with people or do you prefer to work alone? Do you like reading? Do you prefer doing things that are more hands-on? Do you like risk or do you prefer security?
    If you ask yourself these types of questions, it will help you narrow down which types of careers are a good fit for you. If you don’t like working with people, then you should not aim for a career where you deal with people all the time. You’ll wind up hating it. If you like security, then a consistent stable job is something that you should consider. Keep in mind the type of person you are when looking to find a career.
    Take a close and honest look at yourself. Taking time to determine the types of jobs that are a good fit for your personality will go a long way in finding the right career for you.
  2. Do some research – Once you’ve got a list of a few careers you think you might be interested in, do some research. Get online and find out if people are hiring for that career where you would like to live. Find out what those jobs require in terms of training or a degree.
    Don’t just jump blindly into a degree or training program at college. Research online and talk to other people who have studied similar things to find out if the degree or training program will really land you the career you want.
    If you take the time to do the research now, you’ll not waste money on training or schooling that you will regret later. Many young people find out that they went on to college only to get a degree in a field where few jobs exist. Do your research and make sure your degree or training program will help you get a job.
  3. Get God involved – Lots of times in looking for the right career, we forget to get God involved. God knows you better than anyone else. He knows what types of careers are the right fit for you. Get Him involved in your decision-making process.
    “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”  – Proverbs 3:6

Choosing a career is a process that involves some research and a bit of work. However, if goes the smoothest when you get God involved in the process. Ask His wisdom and guidance and you’ll be so glad you did.