Why Change? Finding Your Burning Platform

The difference between people who just dream and people who succeed begins with a DECISION. The world is filled with dreamers and philosophers but many are not very successful as people or Christians. James 2:26 says that "faith without works is dead." Faith being the visualization of things to come; a belief in something not yet manifest. Yet, without works and action, our faith is dead or useless.

God has created each of us here for a purpose. He has placed gifts and talents in each person to be used to bless Him and others. He has given and inspired dreams and visions in everyone but without "works" and action to use our gifts and move towards our dreams, they are simply unused talents; pleasant thoughts.

The Burning Platform

There seems to be two motivations for people to change. The best motivation is when we look to a brighter future and that desire drives us to set goals and take steps to get there. Most of the motivational books key in on this approach. Understand what really matters to you, dream great dreams and set long-term goals, and then bring it down to daily actions to get you there. This motivation and approach works if people follow through, however complacency and old habits can often delay or derail successful adoption of the new and better life-patterns.

The stronger motivation is sometimes referred to as "the burning platform." The concept is that when you're standing on a burning platform, a crisis burning all around you, a great sense of urgency motivates you to do something and to put your passion and heart into the decision. This is exemplified by the drug addict who hits bottom, finds themselves in the hospital after an overdose and finally takes stock of their lives to make a change. They may decide to accept Christ, or to check into a rehab center, or perhaps move to a new town where their dealers and peers won't influence them. It is why so many people change direction after a major life event; the death of a loved one, a divorce, job loss, or a medical crisis.

Perhaps the most successful people use both motivators to propel them forward? When you look at your life, what are the things that are destructive to you? What are the areas that cause you to fail to get promoted in your job, or to avoid exercise, or stop you from learning new things? Where are the destructive relationships with people who appear as friends, but who encourage you to do things that can hurt you? What choices are you making daily or weekly that cause you to fall, hurt others around you or put them at risk?

The bible refers to our decisions as either life or death. Proverbs 13:14 says "The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." In Proverbs 14:27 it says "The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." Proverbs 18:21 says "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." The speaks powerfully to how the words we speak influences how we think and perceive things, and how that choice brings life or death into our lives.

Can you write down the things in your life that are causing you to stumble? Can you write down the relationships that are unhealthy, and sometimes cause you to fall or do things you regret? Are there places you go or things you do, web sites you visit, or television shows you watch that are taking you down a path of high risk, or even death?

Write them down on a sheet of paper.

Next to each one write some notes describing the impact of those choices on you. Write down what you believe could be the possible outcomes if you continue down that path.

Maybe you're dealing with pornography or you find too much comfort in medications, or alcohol. Maybe you have friends who are leading you down un-Godly paths. What impact are your current choices having on your body, your mind, your self esteem?

Are you a workaholic? Are you balancing your obligations to your employer with that of your family, the body of Christ or other activities that fulfill your core values and life-mission?

Write down your list. Make it as long or short as it needs to be and then write down the possible long-range impacts of those things. If the road you're taking with those choices is wrong, write down where it might be taking you.

This list is now your burning platform. Keep it with you and pull it out once a day to consider the choice(s) you have to make that day. Let your burning platform motivate you and instill the "Fear of the Lord" into you, the "fountain of life." It will not only cause you to depart from the snares of death, it will propel you towards the life you love!

“Changing Your Course” by the Blanchards
In the book Changing your Course, the Blanchards say the first step in “living the life you love” is to make a DECISION. The following ideas come from their book:

“What are your dreams? What do you want?
You can’t change what you see in your rear-view mirror. The road ahead is based on the CHOICES you make. All Decisions have consequences (and no decision is a decision).


The following audio clips are from the 3% Club meeting of Sunday, September 14, 2008:

AUDIO: Why Only 3%?

AUDIO: Review of Core Values and Mission Statements

AUDIO: Living the Life You Love and the Burning Platform

AUDIO: Homework and the Surveys Discussion