K.E.Y. - Know & Experience You

Return To Sender

Have you ever gotten mail delivered in your box that had someone's name on it that you didn't recognize? Have you ever accidentally opened the mail, thinking it was yours?

If so, what did you do with it? You may have threw it away, slid it in the "junk" pile (we all have them), or given it to the person.

The quality of your life will be determined by how well you manage the mail of messages that are sent to you, but are not meant for you.

BUT WHAT IF... the mail was money or something that would benefit you... what are you doing now? Tempted to hold onto it? Or just at least a little bit of it, (nobody will know right)?

At the end of the day, no matter how good it looks or how pointless the mail is, the right thing to do would be to ... Return To Sender. Sort through the mail, keep what's yours, and then make sure the owner gets what's theirs. Name isn't on it, Return To Sender. It's not for you, and the message inside could be valuable to the person who's name is on it. Easy and simple right?

BUT, we often find ourselves mismanaging this mail and not returning to sender. I come to argue that maybe it's because the only difference between the mail with your name on it and the mail intended for other people, is who it was intended for. Everything else about the packaging looks the same, which sometimes can get confusing. Especially when it's in your mailbox and or it looks enticing.

Can I argue that that's just like our life? The words and messages we receive from others and life all look the same. The only difference is who they're meant for. The quality of your life will be determined by how well you manage the mail of messages that are sent to you, but are not meant for you. How well you are able to Return To Sender.

Where the heck are you going with this Davonte? ... Well,

Make It Fit

He might need to Return that hat To Sender

Has anyone in your life ever told you, "I think you should tough it out for some time, and see what happens" ... "Maybe if you become a little tougher and less forgiving, they will respect you more" ... or something like, "If you just get more money, higher title, nicer car, more fit, then you'll be better off".

It's much easier to follow the crowd than to lead yourself.

All of these messages could be exactly what you needed to hear to live the life that’s meant for you. On the other side, what if it’s not what you needed to hear?.... What if this time it's not the best option for you? What if nothings wrong with how you look or the possessions you have? What if you need to Return To Sender?

If we're honest, a part of who we are and some of the decisions we've made in our lives are based on WHO sent the message, not WHAT the message said. Sometimes we start to believe we should alter who we are or what we are doing, because somebody (even those in our circle) says so. If we're honest, it's a lot easier to steal and borrow, than to work for something. It's much easier to follow the crowd than to lead yourself, so one of the most consequential choices we can make is who we CHOOSE not to listen to.

Just because someone WANTS what's best for you doesn't mean they know what's best for you.

There are an incredible amount of desirable ideas, looks, careers, schools, fashion, beliefs, etc., but even though it may look or sound right and desirable, you may still have to Return To Sender.

Equally, there's an incredible amount of wise people and people who care about you dearly, and you should use these people you trust to help you sort through the confusing messages of life. But also, even those you trust could (with out intent) lead you in the wrong direction. You may still need to Return To Sender.

I will never tell you not to reach out for help or advice from others or Christ, because everybody needs a reliable filter system. But just like mail in your mailbox with your name on it... I will always ask you, have you filtered the messages of advice you received, talked with people you trust, and or prayed on it to make sure they have your name on it. Because...

The same messages you receive in life that are good/meant for you come in the same envelopes you receive that are not. So stay true to yourself, and everything else... RETURN TO SENDER.

Training

1. What mail have you held onto for too long that you need to RETURN TO SENDER and release it from your life?

2. List ways that will help you or have helped you stay true to yourself in a world that is full of imitators.

---

Coming Up Next

FINAL: Stony Brook 23 - Army 3

I've been faced with many forks in the road in my life, leading me to make several life changing decisions. Decisions that consequently changed the course of my life. I'm talking moving across the country 7 times type life changes. Unemployed for 7 months type life changes. Getting my masters fully paid for type life changes. Winning 4 Conference Championships type life changes. Finding my soon to be wife on Tinder type life changes. I'll admit, I didn't always stay true to myself with each decision. Some I did, but with others I let outside voices lead me in directions that weren't meant for me, AKA failing to Return to Sender. Stay tuned for my testimony and how Returning to Sender changed the course of my life for the better.

Quick shout to God for specializing in turning burdens into blessings!!