{"id":23655,"date":"2024-04-24T17:12:36","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T15:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/?p=23655"},"modified":"2024-04-24T19:11:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T17:11:40","slug":"three-reasons-most-of-us-dont-pursue-our-dreams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/three-reasons-most-of-us-dont-pursue-our-dreams\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Reasons Most of Us Don&#8217;t Pursue Our Dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all want to lead extraordinary lives filled with purpose, freedom, and connection. Most will never achieve that, held back by doubt, complacency, and fear. I sometimes wish Scripture spelled out more clearly what we are supposed to do. What exactly are these good works that God prepared in advance for us to do? Is it possible that some of them are specific to us personally and not just to us as Christians?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For we&nbsp;are God&#8217;s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared&nbsp;in advance for&nbsp;us to do.<\/p>\n<cite>Ephesians 2:10<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years, I nurtured this idea before taking action: I wanted to create an after-school academy in Mozambique that would help raise children out of poverty \u2013 rather than just alleviating their poverty \u2013 through Christian mentorship, computer literacy, and English language communication skills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I sat on this dream for years before I started the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ascendmission.fund\/academy)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ascend Academy<\/a> with the help of friends who shared the vision.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ascend-academy-1024x576.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ascend-academy.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ascend-academy.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ascend-academy.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ascend-academy.jpeg?w=1182&amp;ssl=1 1182w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What kept me from taking action were the same three surface reasons that keep most of us from doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Generalized stress: a broad sense that we are overwhelmed, barely able to keep up with Point A (where we are), and emotionally unable to take action toward Point B (where we want to go).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unfavorable circumstances. The circumstances are not ideal, and &#8220;now is not a good time&#8221; to start pursuing the life we want.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lack of resources: Money, time, and connections.&nbsp;The classic (and flawed) thought process is &#8220;When I have \u2026 then I will\u2026&#8221;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This&nbsp;is precisely how our dreams die. The courageous few pursuing their dreams know something the rest of us ignore.&nbsp;Every once in a while, we are reminded of that dream and get&nbsp;inspiration from a seminar, sermon, book, or a post like this, but inspiration only goes so far. The world changers we admire, whose seminars we attend, and whose books we read &#8211; they all know these simple truths: Stress never disappears, circumstances are never favorable, and resources are always lacking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I recorded this episode of Headspace to share how surprisingly easy it is to overcome these three most common obstacles (or excuses? &#8211; I&#8217;m not judging; I&#8217;ve been there and done exactly that).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We developed a personalized assessment across the\u00a0seven\u00a0most important dimensions of life that I use for my clients but would like to make accessible to you. The results look something like this. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xponential.life\/score\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">learn your score here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"445\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/xponential-life-assessment-1024x445.png?resize=1024%2C445&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/xponential-life-assessment.png?resize=1024%2C445&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/xponential-life-assessment.png?resize=300%2C130&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/xponential-life-assessment.png?resize=768%2C334&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/xponential-life-assessment.png?w=1230&amp;ssl=1 1230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we fully realize our Point A, there is nothing more rewarding than learning Point B\u2014the &#8220;good works&#8221; God has in store for us.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It took years, time, and money to get Ascend Academy started. It was stressful; the circumstances were never right, and resources are still needed today. But Ascend Academy is changing lives. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ascendmission.fund\/academy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">learn more about Ascend here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;m hosting a free webinar on &#8220;Finding and Living Your Calling&#8221; on May 25th. Only a few spots are still available, so <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xponential.life\/event-details\/find-and-live-your-purpose\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claim yours here<\/a> or join a waiting list if they are all filled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F5EC5BwI6qo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watch this video and tell me what new videos you&#8217;d like me to create. To get free new content like this every week in your inbox, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianrayflores.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">join our 10k+ subscribers here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Christian Ray Flores is an entrepreneur, evangelist, and coach living in Austin, TX. You can follow him on social media <a href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/christianrayflores\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all want to lead extraordinary lives filled with purpose, freedom, and connection&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":23657,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[71],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-23655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ascend-academy.jpeg?fit=1182%2C665&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-69x","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5300,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/when-god-calls-how-will-you-answer\/","url_meta":{"origin":23655,"position":0},"title":"When God Calls, How Will You Answer?","author":"dtadmin","date":"July 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Go: the smallest of words, the biggest of meanings. It may be one of God\u2019s favorite words. Sometimes life is calm. Secure. Peaceful. Nothing scary, each day much like the one before. That\u2019s usually when God shows up. That\u2019s usually when God says, \u201cGo.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Ministry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Ministry","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/womens-ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/CoverE28093WhenGodSaysGo-AD.jpeg?fit=415%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3084,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/the-god-who-saves-31-baptisms-in-3-months\/","url_meta":{"origin":23655,"position":1},"title":"The God Who Saves: 31 Baptisms in 3 Months in Haiti","author":"dtadmin","date":"April 12, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"For the last 3 months, God has added 31 disciples to ICOC Haiti fellowship.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/woman_haiti_baptism.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/woman_haiti_baptism.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/woman_haiti_baptism.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30747,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/fourteen-baptisms-in-one-day-in-south-sudan\/","url_meta":{"origin":23655,"position":2},"title":"Fourteen Baptisms in One Day in South Sudan","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"July 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Joy filled Wadweil, South Sudan, as fourteen new believers publicly declared Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour through baptism.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image9.jpeg?fit=1020%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image9.jpeg?fit=1020%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image9.jpeg?fit=1020%2C765&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image9.jpeg?fit=1020%2C765&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4774,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/introducing-better-haiti\/","url_meta":{"origin":23655,"position":3},"title":"Introducing\u00a0Better HAITI","author":"dtadmin","date":"January 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"As we usher in a new year, we want to bring to your attention a very special initiative that involves Haiti and our family of churches around the world. Better HAITI Inc. is a new non-profit started by disciples of Haitian descent living abroad. Better HAITI wants to bring together\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/HAITIFlag2.jpg?fit=1153%2C696&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/HAITIFlag2.jpg?fit=1153%2C696&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/HAITIFlag2.jpg?fit=1153%2C696&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/HAITIFlag2.jpg?fit=1153%2C696&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/HAITIFlag2.jpg?fit=1153%2C696&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25140,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/register-for-2025-hope-worldwide-volunteer-corps\/","url_meta":{"origin":23655,"position":4},"title":"Register for 2025 HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"December 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Join us in 2025 for an unforgettable service-learning adventure with HVC!","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2025-HVC-Registration-Banner.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2025-HVC-Registration-Banner.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2025-HVC-Registration-Banner.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2025-HVC-Registration-Banner.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2025-HVC-Registration-Banner.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29048,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/from-suffering-to-strength-the-joseph-principle\/","url_meta":{"origin":23655,"position":5},"title":"From Suffering to Strength: The Joseph Principle","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"October 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In the culture we live in, suffering is treated like a disease to be avoided at all costs. But in avoiding it, we forfeit something priceless.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/478e3ea9-13fd-4770-84e3-125912b6003b.jpeg?fit=1200%2C571&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/478e3ea9-13fd-4770-84e3-125912b6003b.jpeg?fit=1200%2C571&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/478e3ea9-13fd-4770-84e3-125912b6003b.jpeg?fit=1200%2C571&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/478e3ea9-13fd-4770-84e3-125912b6003b.jpeg?fit=1200%2C571&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/478e3ea9-13fd-4770-84e3-125912b6003b.jpeg?fit=1200%2C571&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/ascend-academy.jpeg?fit=1182%2C665&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23655"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23655\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23655"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=23655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}