The More We Give, The More We Live OR The Spirit of God Within

Whatever we do, let us do it with all our heart, mind, and spirit.

“Where do you get all this energy from?”

“My faith.”

Many people, from clients to strangers, expect me to point to sleep, nutrition, or caffeine when they inquire about my passion for mental coaching, sport psychology, and emotional fitness. Adequate rest does provide zest and proper hydration fuels elation; however, higher performance comes from higher purpose. I see my work as a playful vocation rather than a monotonous job.

The most frequent adjective people use to describe me is “intense.” As a side note, it seems to me there are much worse words they could use. On a high note, I agree because my energy level matches the extent to which I deeply believe in God’s plans for my life. This notion comes across as strange to more secular individuals; nevertheless, I contest: the most important drivers of us human beings are discovered at the spiritual, relational, and philosophical layers, not the visible, physical, and superficial surfaces.

The same client who asked me what fuels me also wondered how he could become more enthusiastic, as well.

Enthusiasm: the spirit of God within (“en theos” means “divinely inspired,” “embedded with God”)

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Upon reflection and exploration, I answered with a three-part, practical approach:

1. Individual meditation, mindfulness, and prayer
2. Conversational dialogues, discourses, and discussions
3. Communal altruism, charity, and philanthropy

First, learn to love silence. Through individual introspection, sparks of interest ignite into flames of ideas. Prayer involves “asking earnestly” to a higher power. Mindfulness involves “noticing emotions and bodily sensations non-judgmentally,” with awareness and gratitude. Meditation involves “becoming familiar with” stillness, listening for intuitive answers, and allowing thoughts to arrive and depart, as if the mind is a harbor. When our minds become quiet, inner whispers become loud.

“Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by… Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:11-12

Guidance to life’s questions appears in silence.

Second, seek insightful friends, guides, and mentors. Through relationships, flames of ideas scorch into fires of plans. Dialogue refers to “two or more people talking about their truths.” In a similar way to iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17), core concepts evolve into thought-provoking constructs amidst genuine discourse. With open minds, individuals reframe difficult situations and shed light on new vantage points. Conversations about the Bible, Christ, and the Divine invite people to adopt empowering beliefs rather than constricting, critical, and limiting doubts. Discussions around what’s beautiful, good, and true set the stage for embodying those values in actions, behaviors, and sacrifice.

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” — Luke 6:45

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” — 1 Peter 3:15

Before we walk together with trust, talk together we must.

Third and finally, serve those less fortunate alongside those more faith-filled. Community, which refers to “shared service,” is how fires of plans catalyze into roaring blazes of contribution. Thoughts become actions through community service. Community exists as the essence of group-oriented grace. Similar to how a rising tide lifts all boats, individuals on fire with faith have the capacity to attract, motivate, and help others. People can be generous with energy, resources, and time — true believers give all three. Active support to promote human welfare is how individuals get beyond their egos, believe in something greater than themselves, and loves deeper than ever before.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. For I was thirsty and you give me a drink. For I was a stranger and you invited me in… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:35-40

If someone stays in their head, they’re dead; when they give with their heart, life’s a playful art.

This is about being childlike, not childish.

This is about we, not me.

This is about giving more to others, not thinking less of ourselves.

Once we begin to nourish ourselves from streams of liberty, we start to wonder about its source. Whether we call it a higher power or God or Jesus Christ, it’s not us. We are not the center of the universe. We are not sorcerers nor wizards. We are humans and sinners and individuals on journeys attempting to understand our purposes here on Earth. Once we find our Why, we don’t just try nor get by… all our performances are high.

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“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” — St. Thomas Aquinas

Start individually with introspection.

Continue through Christocentric conversations with spiritually curious truth-seekers.

Ultimately and often, contribute enthusiastically and give generously.

- MG