Have you ever read, re-read, and re-read again, the last paragraph of a page as if you were stuck in a revolving door or a perpetual groundhog day? I have, too many times to count. Whether it was distraction, dozing, or dull content, sometimes we can get stuck where we are and miss turning the page to read new material or experience new things.
Well, it’s time to turn the page on an old project, a blog site that was created in 2009 to contain some thoughts around living, learning, and leading. The Dean’s List (thedeanslist.ca) and deanbrenton.com are not shutting down, but my writing will find a new home inside of a new world of leadership at impactus.org. Those original website links will be active and point the way into my new space inside this amazing organization. Turning the page on my leadership journey has brought alignment and amplification from the last chapter into a new day of opportunity to “equip men for a life of purpose and godly impact.”
We all need to turn the page sometimes. That page might be giving up a bad habit, starting a new venture, letting go of past hurts. No matter what paragraph we are re-reading, this I know: If we stay on that page, we’ll never find out the rest of the story. The apostle Paul had a fascinating story in the early chapters of his life. But, he refused to get stuck in a cold, harsh, and past narrative and instead chose to step into a new future as a new man on a new trajectory. He reminds us in these familiar words: “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT).” Paul turned the page from a life of sin, hurt, and pride and stepped into a future that forever shaped the history of the Christian faith. We, too, can turn the page from our sin, shame, and limitations. How? By inviting the author of salvation to reveal His purposes and plan for our lives.
I’m glad I didn’t get stuck on the last page. I hope you don’t get stuck on the page you’re on. Turn it. Now. You might find a new story awaits.
P.S. If you’d like to hear more of my story, check out this interview: https://youtu.be/u100fDfjgIw