Where Is Your Mindset Leading You?
If one is honest with oneself and stops to think about the concept of mindset, one will surely realize that what we set our minds to believe will ultimately influence the destination we desire to reach. If someone has no desire, specific goal, objective, or destination in mind, then it could be said that they are going nowhere.
But let's take a deeper dive into this simple concept and try to open our minds to the possibilities.
As it relates to self-defense, for example, one might want to decide ahead of time—before any life-or-death situation—whether they want to live or die in such a scenario. The desire to live, rather than die, is like determining one's destination in a sense. At the very least, it gives you a goal, something to strive toward.
Therefore, if one wants to survive a sudden, violent attack by someone with evil intent, thinking about this possibility ahead of time means they have already checked the first item off the list: having the right mindset.
Once they have established the right mindset for that particular endgame, they can discover ways to improve their chances of success through learning, training, reading, practice, and critical thinking.
But it all starts with the right mindset.
The world tells us that, in order to really "make it" in this world, we have to obtain wealth, prestige, or both. And since this is a worldly standard—and one that millions of people throughout history have achieved—if someone starts with that goal in mind, perhaps they, too, can "make it."
Going back to the self-defense analogy, planning is required to determine how to face the challenges of the professional world. Again, we can do this through learning, training, reading, practice, and thinking.
Lo and behold, we put all of this into motion and, with perseverance, achieve our goals and dreams.
We finally "make it."
And yet, the wisest men in history have often come to an inevitable conclusion about the pursuit of reaching the top and achieving wealth like no one else they know:
Sure, reaching the peak of worldly success is great—for a time. But what if there is something more?
This is where I am going to talk about something that might rub some people the wrong way.
That's okay.
Sometimes the truth cuts like a sword.
I am not trying to inflame anyone here. Instead, I want to pose a question to you, the reader:
What if there were a mindset you could have that affected not only your destination here on Earth, in this reality, but also the destination you desire to reach for eternity?
What if, despite what the world tells you—and the Bible has warned us about this, even citing ancient sources from history—you could set your mind on a destination beyond this reality?
What if you acknowledged that there is an instruction manual of sorts that tells us how to get there?
And what if that same manual warned us about all the voices that would tell us otherwise—voices telling us to ignore things like God's Word?
That's right.
I said the big word:
God.
Such a buzzword in this world, isn't it?
Why do you suppose that is?
If you don't believe in Him, why does the subject touch such a nerve?
Think about it.
You see, according to God's Word, whether you acknowledge Him or not, the chief end—the destination, goal, purpose, and objective—of mankind is to glorify God.
We are His image-bearers.
Whatever we do ultimately glorifies Him.
Even if someone rebels against Him and ultimately ends up in Hell, His glory is still demonstrated because He has declared that such judgment will occur. It demonstrates the truth of His Word, whether those of us still on this side of the veil acknowledge it or believe it—or not.
Jesus said:
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
—John 14:6
He also told His disciples, before He left this side of Heaven, to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them all that He had commanded them.
—Matthew 28:18–20
If we set our minds on glorifying God in everything we do and follow the final instructions Jesus gave before He ascended into Heaven, that mindset can point us toward the Key to God's Kingdom.
So whether you live for the world and make up your mind that money, prestige, and fame will define your success, that initial mindset is still necessary to make that happen.
That mindset is the key.
Then there is the Key to the Kingdom of God.
That just happens to be where my mind is set on going.
It aligns with my purpose anyway.
I already know I was born to glorify God because I am one of billions of people who bear His image.
Why not follow the ultimate Instruction Manual that has been provided?
Why not learn, train, practice, read, and even pray along the way?
The Creator of the universe has given us direction and tells us where we will ultimately end up.
Food for thought on this day: Where is your mindset leading you?
In the ultimate life-or-death situation of eternity, what is your mind telling you about where you are in your journey?
What do you have left to do?
Perhaps the most important destination you will ever choose is not the next position on the career ladder, the next financial milestone, or the next accomplishment.
Perhaps it is the destination beyond this life.
So, where is your mindset leading you?
God bless you as you set your mind on answering these questions.
