Entitled vs. Engaged

Sometimes, we are a generation of people doing things we don't love. People have a "I'm, but" approach to life.

"I'm an accountant, but I want to be an artist."

"I'm a teacher, but I want to be a abolitionist."

"I'm a web developer, but I want to be a youth minister."

We're caught in the endless tension between doing what we have to do - pay the bills, be responsible, make good on college degrees, and what we want to do - feel alive, feel necessary, be part of something bigger than ourselves.

Do you ever feel as though you have a sense of entitlement? That you're entitled to do something bigger and better? Have you ever felt that God was too slow or too impersonal or too disengaged from your heart's desire for something bigger?

What does that look like?

How do you know if you're there?

Entitled people are always exhausted by their dream.

Engaged people are refreshed and energized. Sure, they might be tired from the hard work but they are not drained in a negative way.

Entitled people repel friends the more they talk about their dream because it is laced with disappointment.

Engaged people attract people because the joy of their dream is infectious.

Entitled people believe in the myth of "overnight success."

Engaged people know that working at what they dream about is part of the reward of the experience.

Entitled people wait for a major life change to get started. They make excuses.

Engaged people start right where they are and realize there's no "perfect time" to pursue a dream.

Entitled people see the success of others as a personal insult.

Engaged people celebrate when someone else wins.

Are you entitled, or are you engaged?