CHAPTER 42: SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Know where you are. In the room, on the freeway, in your office, in any deal, contract negotiation, conversation, relationship, anywhere, all the time, anytime, be in the present, in the now, absolutely conscious of yourself and all things in the vicinity of you, your interactions, physical space and mindset. Do not under any circumstances pretend .., know what you are doing and be critically aware of your intentions…, ask yourself always:
What is mine to do and what is not mine to do…
Know that He is with me and He has brought me here. My challenges are His challenges. The mind is a dangerous place. Staying the course is impossible without Him. I will take an alternate course without Him, a course not good for me. Paying attention is a minute-by-minute necessary asset. If I’m not on my game every second — I slip and lose valuable time – the goal is to push every moment of every day, not what I want, rather what must be done. I align myself all through the day, am I working the list, check and re-check the list, do the list, complete the list. If anything comes up that is not on the list, ask the Lord in prayer. “Is this mine to do, or not?” Some things on the path are for me to know, not necessarily for me to do anything about. The devil will try to pull me off course with all manner of what appears to be the “right thing.” Family first, business first, keep that in mind. God in all things. That’s hard enough to do without distractions — with distractions, if I allow myself the latitude, I will blow it.
IF I AM CASH NEGATIVE, STOP WHAT I’M DOING AND FIX IT, CORRECTLY, NOT WITH SOMEBODY’S IDEA OR CONCEPT, RATHER WITH TRIED AND TRUE METHODS TAUGHT BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE IT AND CONTINUE TO DO IT WITH MANY NOT FEW, SAY PRAYERS FOR A DISCERNING SPIRIT IN ALL NEW RELATIONSHIPS.
Navigate away from time wasters, instead engage fully crucial situations and challenges the Lord has given. Take the test. Pass the test.
Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my mind and my heart.
Am I vigilant against those things that are not good for me? Am I gambling with my life or the money the Lord has given me? Am I engaging in relationships that could cause harm? Are there vices only the Lord can free me from? Am I worried about the future constantly, obsessed by it — things I have no control over? Am I doing my job His way or my way?
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
It’s a good idea to take stock in what has been accomplished so far, alert to where I am, where I’ve been, where I’m headed. If I’m on course, focused, is there anything holding me back? Fear, greed, incorrect assessment, unfair expectations, unconscious thinking, comparing myself to others, such matters are incorrect brain chatter that interrupts creativity and a solid doing of the chores, a “getting it done” attitude goes out the window without pure focus and dedication.
1 John 4:1
English Standard Version
Test the Spirits
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
I used to believe God was reminding me that I was an idiot when I’d suddenly remember my “not so shiny” past, it hurt me, and I didn’t understand why I had to revisit those memories. Then one day, suddenly I had a thought. God may be blessing me with those memories. He may be saying “look where you were, what I saved you from, because I love you and I was always with you, look what I have done with you.” And then there is that awesome verse that only comes when I realized the lessons in the past is are an asset, now I can work towards the future, be careful the future is really right now…
Matthew 6:33-34
New International Version
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Situational awareness is a challenge, an honorable one. To be aware of my entire life and yet stay in this very moment and work on my chores in order. Learn by staying on track. Doing what needs to be done is different than what I think needs to be done. Do things consistently. Check and re-check if all matters have been tended to. Sometimes I lack confidence. Remember Faith. Know that we are here because that is His will, and He is helping me do my job that He has so graciously afforded me.
Psalm 46:10
New International Version
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
I pray daily the following: “whatever is in my head that shouldn’t be in my head, please Lord, get it out.” “If there is information I need to complete today’s work, please Lord, show me.”
In a moment when I feel out gunned or in over my head, I stop and reassess the situation. All my training and experience may be exactly prepared for just this moment, just “such a time as this.” Utilize Faith and works – sometimes I gotta use it all in one ten second moment. Things that need to be done, do them, not the things you’d like to do, but the things that must be done in order for all the assets to be safe in your life. All the assets God has given…
2 Peter 1:2-3
English Standard Version
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
You are in charge because He put you there. Look the part, be the part, know the part, manipulate for the good of all things, ally with others that do the same. Stay in the company of relevant people who are willing to set aside differences in the interest of overcoming challenges. God has given strength and wisdom in fellowship. Foolish talk and bullying has no place in any position of authority. Listen to those who would risk all things to keep you on the path. Be one of those individuals willing to risk a relationship to do what is right, rather than what is popular.
Proverbs 27:17
English Standard Version
17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.
I remember my shortcomings. I call it the “illusive gain”. The things I remember I’ve done that make me sick. I never forget them! Because of that, they actually help me.
Like dividends to an investment. I remember not to touch the fire. It may be illusive in the moment, but there is definitely a “gain”, financially, spiritually, mentally, physically for remembering my sins, mistakes, shortcomings — from these things I learn and yearn to be a problem solver, no a problem maker. Wisdom takes time, experience takes time, knowledge and understanding take commitment of good things. Fear tests me always.
An astronaut leaves Earth headed for Mars. At some point Earth disappears and Mars is not yet visible. It’s important that the astronaut does not freak out and start adjusting the dials, right? That’s you and me. Touch the dials and we are lost, stay the course and eventually we will see the destination. I try and remember always, He has started a good work in me, play it out, let it be. Don’t get nervous and adjust the dials on the way to your “destiny.” Stay the course. Believe the dials. Believe the Word. Keep away from incorrectly effecting the controls.
Philippians 1:6
New Living Translation
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Situational Awareness. Key element in Chapter 42. Be aware! Be aware in all aspects and areas of your life. There’s always something to do for God and when He calls make sure you are in the right spot — listening — and can respond instantly.
Isaiah 6:8
New International Version
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Everything is everything as I always say. King Solomon said it best in Ecclesiastes 3:1, more than a thousand years ago.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
A Time for Everything
3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens
Be exact in your motives, be careful and correct. Don’t get lost in in the name of goodness and run all of it off course because something looks right when the course you’re on is already in motion and good, might be hard, but so what, don’t divert. Don’t be haunted by silly ventures that take you away from what is important, stay the course, lest you find yourself lost in the chaos of lost promises and without true allies.
Matthew 5:37
New Living Translation
37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Careful when using the Lord’s name to validate your behavior, rather use the scripture to direct your actions and re-align your thinking, giving strength in faith and great yield in our endeavors, give Him all the glory for what has been achieved. Be ready to see and hear the Lord, especially in matters that should not be done, even though I want to do them with all my heart. Lead, Teach and Inspire by doing the correct thing.
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Fight with yourself, overcome the suffering of “want and desire.” Know exactly where you are and be prepared to make arrangements to keep all things in order that you already have. Be clear, super clear of the consequences of any action you may or may not take.
Jeremiah 45:5
New King James Version
5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them;
for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord.
“But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”
There’s enough challenge in the world, try not to invent adversity, truly there is enough, Lord keep me from it, Teach Me your Way, and for all of us today, I think it best that I leave you with a scripture I usually keep to myself, it answers the question, why chapter 42 Situational Awareness…
Ephesians 4:14
New Living Translation
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Amen…
