Lesson one: Watch out for unhealthy people who influence you in negative ways. “Guard against the yeast” is the metaphor used by Matthew. Why yeast? Maybe because it takes a tiny amount to make a huge difference!

Amazing how one negative person on a team can create havoc! Amazing how one positive person can elevate a team’s performance.

Action point: Avoid the influence of negative people; keep them at a distance; especially emotionally. Focus on not being a negative person. Find meaningful ways to be filled with gratitude, kindness, grace and light to others.

Lesson two: Discover who I am; not who people say or think I am.

The master of master teachers asked his disciplines the crucial questions? Who do people say I am? Who do you say that I am?

My conviction is, it takes a lifetime to discover who I am. The journey through the twists and turns of life, like one of those rivers in tundra Alaska that form new routes, who I am has changed through the years.

The one thing that has never changed in my life is not who I say I am but who God says I am! This fact alone has been my ROCK. Interestingly this is what Jesus said about Peter when the apostle declared, YOU ARE THE CHRIST, the Son of God.

With delight I have asked for at least the past 20 years three important questions and provide the answers to them.

WHERE ARE YOU? RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!
WHO ARE YOU? YOU ARE A MIRACLE!
WHY ARE YOU A MIRACLE? GOD MADE ME!

Today, this 8th day of September I am a rock. I choose to be right here, right now, and to know I am a miracle because God made me.

Knowing this has given me purpose to rise early, live fully, and embrace both the drudgery, and the delights of the day.