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The Useful Life No. 12 — First Walk, Then Run
Published 23 days ago • 2 min read
The Useful Life
by Jordan Shirkman
No. 12
First Walk, Then Run
Hey there,
This week's post references board games, international treaties and out-of-date theories all within the first 20 words, so you know we're moving at light speed (even if we haven't calculated it correctly).
↩ Looking Back
Every new thing I've ever learned has happened because I started. I wouldn't say I've mastered anything, but I keep moving forward in lots of areas that are important to me (faith, fitness, family). The key to all of those things? Starting, then iterating.
Monopoly Deal is a good game, even though the original Monopoly violates multiple articles of the Geneva Convention.
Newtonian physics worked pretty well for a few hundred years, even though Einstein showed that Newton didn't get everything quite right (I'm guessing plenty of physicists will say that's an understatement, but I'm not a physicist).
The first iPhone didn't have a camera and the newest version takes pictures we could only dream of from a camera that fits in your pocket (!) just a few decades ago.
I've already said I prefer praying with people to praying for people, but if you are going to pray for them, here's a helpful insight.
In Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Ruth Haley Barton talks about the overwhelming task of faithfully praying for everyone who asks us or who we offer to pray for.
She says that rather than making (empty) promises, tell them you'll pray for them every time the Holy Spirit brings them to mind.
Offering to pray when the Holy Spirit brings someone to mind keeps you honest and helps you to join God in the work he's doing as he invites you to pray for others.
↪ Looking Forward
What would it look like this week to:
start one thing that moves you toward a big goal?
join God in what he is doing by listening to the Holy Spirit and following his leading?
Maybe those two are actually the same thing. If so, all the more reason to begin.
We often focus on the destination, but the process is where the growth happens. That's sanctification—becoming more like Jesus, one step at a time.
Start moving in his direction, and watch how he guides your steps.
Looking For a Laugh
A relevant observation for those of us who are starting to get fit or clean our houses this week:
But if we start we can have a slightly-better-than-mid physique and a relatively cleaner house.
Wrapping Up
Hit reply and tell me—what's one thing you're starting this week?
Or maybe forward this to someone who's stuck and needs a nudge to begin.
Here’s to pursuing the useful life together—first by walking, then by running,
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Read to move from chaos to clarity through decisive action? Subscribe to the weekly Useful Life newsletter and join a community of clever people sharpening their thinking, learning practical frameworks, and doing more of what truly matters.
