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Impressions
How do you see yourself? When you look into the crystal ball which is your future do you see success or failure? Do you see the pharmacist or the street corner drug dealer. Do you see the business executive or the crime lord? Do you see the White House or the Jailhouse? What we become in life is determined by many factors, but one of the most important factors is our belief in our own ability to achieve.
Dana Andrus of New Orleans, La is often called on to make motivational presentations to youth around the nation. One of his presentations features an illustration showing self realization is important. On a table, he lays out a variety of items familiar to youth: a gun, football jersey, basketball, football, cap and gown, beer can, bible, golden chain, mini dress and a pair of Jordan tennis. Youth were asked to select an item from the table that best represented how they envisioned themselves in the future. In nearly every presentation youth selected every item except the cap and gown and bible. They could see themselves carrying a gun, but not a bible or wearing a pair of Jordans, but not a cap and gown. His point to educators and youth leaders is that youth need experiences that help them to visualize themselves in more positive ways than what they see on television.
Years ago, Rev. Jesse Jackson wrote a slogan for the PUSH for excellence program that has now become famous and is taught all across America: "If my mind can conceive it and my heart can be believe it, I can "achieve it."
Those words are true and they compose what Dr. Robert Schuller would call the essential components of possibility thinking..to become something, I must first visualize it in my mind, believe in my heart that it is possible and "go for it."
These concepts did not have their origin with men like Norman Vincent Peale, Schuller and Jackson...they originated from God and are recorded in his word.
To become a Christian in the fullest sense, we must be able to see ourselves leading lives as Christians, believe that it can happen to us and "go for it."
Even further, to fully possess all the blessings God has promised us, we must be able to visualize them. We must see what God wants us to be!
As Christians, we strive to open our minds and hearts to the spirit of God so that He can show us what is in store for us. He has promised us that what you see is what you get.