Who do you want to be when you’re older?
At the college of business chapel two weeks ago, Mignon Francois asked us that question. Mignon started The Cupcake Collection and turned $5 and a foreclosed home into $10 million. She is evidence of how God can turn an idea and dream into something incredible. She asked us this question and heard the typical answers: doctor, author, teacher, business owner. One of those may be the same response you have to that question.
Each answer above responds with what you want to DO, not what you want to BE.
Who do you want to BE? Do you want to be inspirational, faithful, loving, or respectful? I want to be motivational, Christ-following, dependable, and trustworthy among other things. These descriptors are more important to me than my job title when I’m out of college. When I’m old and barely moving, I want people to talk about those characteristics instead of the job I worked.
“We are human beings, not human doings.”
When you become who you want to be, what you want to do will follow. When you become the person you want to be, what you do will be greater than you ever expected. When you believe what God says about you, what you do will be even greater than you ever expected.
God says that you are loved, created in His image, part of a bigger story, valuable, and not alone. If you live knowing who you are, then what you do won’t be the most important part of your day. God tells you who you are, you just have to believe Him. When you believe who you are, you will live the life you are called to.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
Instead of living each day in pursuit of what you want to do, I challenge you to live each in pursuit of who you want to be.
I appreciate you.
-JP