Epic Family,

Last week, I shared the best two secrets I have discovered in this challenging season: find simple joy in each day and stay positioned for the long-term future. How can we stay positioned for the long-term future when there is so much uncertainty about that future?  

Here’s some good news - you and I don’t have to know everything about the future to stay positioned for it. I don’t know where my kids will go to university, but I can still help them prepare for that phase of their lives. You might not know the jobs you’ll have in the future, but developing a strong work ethic now will help position you for whatever job you might have one day.  

How to Stay Positioned for the Long-Term Future

Keep growing your character. Whatever God has in store for your future, you can prepare for it by continuing to become the right kind of person. The fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) is a great checklist for areas related to our growth.  

Establish deep relationships with the right people. One of the reasons I’m confident about the future is because of the thick relationships I have with 10-15 close friends. They care about me and they won’t let me go off track without saying something to me about it. If you don’t have this right now, start pursuing these kinds of relationships.

Get rid of anything in your life that could hijack God’s vision for your future. Is there anything present in your life that you know isn’t pleasing to God and could rob you of the future He has for you? If so, do whatever it takes to remove it. One of the most heartbreaking things to me is seeing people forfeit what God had for them, all because they couldn’t walk away from what ended up destroying them.

Invest time growing the gifts and skills God has given you. There’s a high probability that what God has for your future will involve the gifts and skills He has given you. Sometimes we are tempted to work on the things we aren’t good at. My encouragement is for you to do the opposite - go even deeper in your areas of strengths. Reflect on Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What changes do you need to begin making now, so that you’re positioned for the long-term future? Whatever they are, know that you aren’t alone. We’re in this together and I’m looking forward to the future God has for you and for our entire Epic community.

Much Love,