Life helps those that help themselves. The nature of my career requires me to travel often. Sometimes that means I spend more time in airports than in the air, as was the case on a recent trip where I missed a connection due to the weather. Other times, in an effort to spend less time in the airport and actually arrive at my destination on time I have to hustle through the airport to reach the gate on time. To aid travelers who might be in a similar predicament, the first moving walkway was installed in a Dallas airport in 1958.
Unfortunately, many people believe the moving walkway is a ride, akin to a roller coaster or the log flume. However, it is called a “walkway” for a reason….you’re supposed to walk in order to reduce the time it takes to reach your departure gate. When I see the walkway is crowded I simply maintain a brisk pace on the normal, non-moving walkway and pass by the dozens of people enjoying the ride through the airport.
As they coast to their destination, seemingly relaxed and likely on time for their flights they seem unfazed by those of us who choose to use our legs as they were intended to get where we are going. How often in life have you or those you know coasted towards a goal? Often seniors in High School will coast towards graduation with the mindset that after the midway point in the year they can neither help or hurt their future aspirations. Many times we coast through the last hour or two at work anxiously awaiting the work day’s end so that we can go do something we enjoy more. What would your life look like if you could recoup all of those moments of coasting and instead were actively engaged in doing something to fulfill your purpose in life? If you desire to exit your place of employment, the best way to make that happen is by using your legs, arms, and brain to exit a ride of mediocrity and move with vigor onto a pathway of success.
Don’t waste anymore time standing on the easy path while others are running alongside you on the path of purpose.
WALK, DON’T STAND
The moving walkway represents life. The sun rises and sets each day and if we aren’t careful we will look back over the week or the month and realize that all we can say is that we lived to witnessed 30 or 31 sunsets. Every day provides an opportunity to take one more step than you took the previous day. If we don’t take a step forward or a step outside of our comfort zone, the common thought is that we are at least staying average. However, repeating the same actions every day doesn’t actually pan out that way. If others are walking while we stand or running while we walk, then by comparison we are falling further and further behind each passing day. Some people simply aren’t motivated to start walking. I get it. I’ve been there. I also know that if you don’t know where you’re going, you will be less motivated to start moving. This is why we each need vision in life. What do you see yourself doing? What do you see that needs doing but isn’t being done well or even at all? In Manhood Restored, Dr. Eric Mason wrote, “vision gives significance to the otherwise meaningless details of our lives…vision weaves four things into the fabrics of our daily experience: passion, motivation, direction, and purpose.”
RUN, DON’T WALK
Once you have momentum don’t allow it to wane. You may make a mistake here or there. Trust me – I’ve made my fair share. Richard Branson said, “My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face, at least you’re moving forward. All you have to do is get back up and try again.” It’s been said that if you fall down seven times, just get up eight times. Unfortunately, that’s impossible but you can get up seven times. Isaiah 40:29 reads, “He gives strength to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.” I would encourage everyone reading this to find the strength to keep running from the One who gave you your purpose in the first place. Human weakness and frailty can only be counteracted by the indwelling presence of a supernatural God. Additionally, if the purpose for which we run is solely based on a desire for money, promotion, fame or success, reaching those pinnacles will still leave us exhausted and empty. However, if the walkway represents our God-given talents and abilities and we purpose ourselves to run with those abilities, our lives will have meaning, fulfillment, and a rest that has been well earned.
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