When you start a charcoal grill you have to have something that will activate the coals and cause them to burn together.  You can light one coal but if the wind blows it could blow out.  You need to get the coals so hot that no matter what the circumstances are the fire will thrive. 
 
When we are inspired by a great idea, we can have great excitement to pursue something new but the excitement can fizzle out when adversity strikes.  It often leaves us with nothing to motivate us and keep the excitement going.  I’ve learned some ways to create and maintain my “grill” of passions:

1. Put the Coals/Ideas Together.  Don’t just have one idea.  Multiple ideas will help keep you engaged; when one starts to cool, you have another that can ignite your passion again.  You don’t know which idea will catch on but the importance is to keep engaging with them until they do.
2. Agitate the Ideas.  Your passion for seeing your ideas come to life is what will be contagious.  It is what will catch on and cause others to start to connect with you.  Remember, it all starts with you.  If you lack passion, so will those who you want to reach.  Shake loose of complacency by seeing your ideas from different perspectives.  Engage as though you are working on them for the first time.
3. Let the Fire Grow.  Once you have built momentum, don’t get in the way.  Let the fire breathe.  Let the idea take form and leave it alone as you prepare to use it. Momentum is the key.  When the fire is going at full strength, no outside elements will stop it.  Be patient, you’re getting closer to where you want to be. 
4. Cook What You Want To Eat.  Now that the coals are hot and the grill is ready, cook what you want to eat.  Do what you love, not what you think others will want.  The temptation is to see the early success you had with creating a buzz to get you to look outside yourself for answers but the answers you need come from the inspiration within you.  Keep your eyes on what you love and don’t deviate from it.  You have manifested your idea!
5. Share What You Make.  Now that you have created what you love, it is time to share it with others.  You created something that is a huge accomplishment but now it’s time to share it with others.  It is time to give them a taste of what you hold dearly.  It is time to let it go.
6. Clean Up the Mess.  After you have cooked and eaten, it is time to clean up.  The importance of cleaning up is, if you don’t clean up, you won’t be able to move forward to the next thing.  You will be stuck holding on that what you did and won’t have any space for something new.  Take a moment and appreciate how far you’ve come, then move forward.  Remember, you have greater things ahead of you!

                        

​A young husband just got off of work. As he is walking to his car, he receives a call from his wife, asking him to purchase diapers and wipes for their baby girl. He heads to the store and grabs the diapers and wipes, as well as some baby clothes and other items he finds on sale. He is so excited to get home and show his wife what he’s found. When he pays for the items, the cashier tells him that his card was declined. Confused, he doesn’t understand why the payment is declined since he just received the card. He calls customer service and checks his bank account. When the automated operator informs him of his positive balance, he asks the cashier to try again. Again, the card is declined. Frustrated, he tells the cashier that he will just purchase the diapers and hands the cashier cash. As he takes his card back from the cashier, he sees a sticker: ACTIVATE BEFORE USE. He shakes his head, laughing, as he walks out of the store.


If you’ve ever received a new bank card or credit card in the mail, before you can use the card, you have to activate it. The issuer puts a sticker on the card to remind you to activate the card immediately before you try to use it. Your funds are attached to the card and without you first acknowledging that you are in possession of the card, the card issuer will not give access to the funds. The card is of no use without activation.


We are living our lives trying to acquire the resources we need to help support our purpose and dreams but we are met with resistance. We know we have the ability and talent required to do what we love but something is missing. We need to be activated! We need to go to the One who issued our gifts and talents to us so that we can gain access to not only possess them but to also use them.


Imagine having a credit card with unlimited spending power. When you walk into a store with it, you would have confidence that whatever it is you want, you can buy. You would carry yourself differently. You wouldn’t have to worry about being declined or coming up short because you know what you hold.


You are carrying that “card” right now. On this card is unlimited potential inside of you but to gain access to its power, it needs to be activated first. When you live activated, you have a different perspective on life. You are able to draw from your source at any time. There is a freedom in knowing that what you have will never run out. It’s a confidence that’s not in what you possess but in the One that possesses you. If you make a mistake, you know that someone has your back regardless. When you are in need, you know that your needs will be met.


It is time to activate your dreams. The “Dream Giver” is waiting for you to communicate with Him. He wants your acknowledgment that you have received what He sent to you. More importantly, He wants you to use it once you activate it. There is no dream too big, no challenge too intimidating. Take ownership of all you have been created to be. Live, knowing that you are meant for this moment; nothing will stop you.


We are more than able to face anything that comes our way because we are backed by “the bank” of God who has called us to live and live abundantly. Stop holding on to your gifts and surrender them to God. Let God activate your life now!