The Dialog

A friend called me in his 20s, depressed. His life was going well. His problem: "I'm 24. I'm not a billionaire." So I asked him, "Who told you that?"

Tony Robbins says everybody has a blueprint for their life. If you feel ahead of it, you're happy. If you feel behind it, you're dissatisfied. The better question is where you got the blueprint.

My co-host Nick Surface and I take that question to Moses, David and a line from our friend Jeremy Baker: God doesn't activate you. He redirects you.

What does God want me to do with my life?
Start with what's in your hand. When God showed up at the burning bush, Moses was already working, shepherding his father-in-law's flock on the far side of the wilderness (Exodus 3:1). You get yourself to work hard. Then God says, here's what I want you to work hard on.

Does God activate you or redirect you?
Activation is something outside of you making you move. Redirection is when you're already moving and you get aligned. It's a lot easier to turn the wheels of a car that's already moving.

Why is it so hard to be faithful in little things?
David was anointed king and went right back out to the sheep. Don't despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10).

Where does meaning come from?
Viktor Frankl said the meaning of your life is a question life asks you, and you answer it.

Scriptures
Exodus 3:1 · Exodus 4:2 · Proverbs 16:9 · Zechariah 4:10 · Matthew 25:21 · Colossians 3:23 · Proverbs 3:5-6 · Ecclesiastes 9:10

Chapters
0:00 Cold open and show intro
0:52 Were the 90s really the good old days?
5:28 Behind on your life blueprint?
6:34 If God has a plan, it isn't your plan
7:34 Moses and the burning bush
8:01 God doesn't activate you, He redirects you
9:13 Moses was already working
11:12 "I'm 24. I'm not a billionaire."
13:35 A man plans his way
16:16 Why being a shepherd was an insult
17:30 Anointed king, then back to the sheep
18:59 Insecurity and Moses' five excuses
20:10 A compass, not a switch
21:26 All God gave you to do is today
22:15 Faithful in little things
22:55 The NASA janitor
24:25 The purpose blueprint
25:28 Turn a car that's moving
26:15 Life asks the question
27:09 The provider dad
28:41 Dig the ditches, strike the arrows
31:36 From outside-in to inside-out
34:11 Grateful and negative?
35:25 Choose your response
38:43 Epictetus
39:52 Comfort vs. calling
42:11 A terrible youth pastor
43:21 Work hard at what's in front of you

Previous: 1.6 / Are your relationships transactional or transformational?
Next: 1.8 / Who taught you to think the way you think?

New episodes most weeks.
Follow Nick on IG / https://www.instagram.com/nicksurface1/
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Go to my website / https://jkc.is

What is The Dialog?

Ancient philosophers used the dialog to find answers to life’s greatest questions. The Dialog is a search for truth in modern life through the lens of ancient philosophy, history, and theology. This podcast will challenge your assumptions, change your thinking and show you how to master modern living.