Embrace the Journey: Uniting for the Gospel of Welcome
As a member of the human race, I often find myself trapped in patterns that were imprinted on me during my formative years. These patterns, shaped by well-intentioned individuals, have become my default setting, influencing how I perceive myself and the world around me. They are what we commonly refer to as mindsets or where we place our focus — either a scarcity mindset driven by fear and anxiety that resists change, or a focus on gratitude that empowers action and the pursuit of goals.
In my early days, I adopted the scarcity mindset, as it was deemed a righteous perspective. There was a belief that being poor was godly, while wealth hindered spiritual growth. Not having enough was considered virtuous because it meant we relied on God to bridge the gap. The wealthy were seen as dependent on their resources, rather than trusting in God’s provision.
This default mindset caused immense suffering, not just for me but also for my family. Focusing on scarcity turned my attention inward, away from the blessings bestowed upon me by God. I discovered that my heart thrived when I directed my focus towards the people I loved, rather than dwelling on what I lacked. However, when I succumbed to anxiety and fear stemming from scarcity or never having enough, I retreated into myself, conveniently finding solace in blaming others and especially my wife. This provided temporary relief for me, but it left the other person feeling terrible while leaving the underlying issues unresolved.
The other day, Marti enlightened me about the power of where one puts their focus. She handed me a cup of coffee, asserting that I would inevitably spill it while making my way to the kitchen table. Determined to prove her wrong, I held the cup with extra care while mentally repeating, “Don’t spill the coffee.” Unfortunately, my fixation on avoiding spillage caused the coffee to slosh from side to side until it eventually spilled onto the floor. Marti triumphantly pointed out that if I had focused on where I was going, rather than obsessing over not spilling the coffee, the floor would have remained dry.
This anecdote reminds me of the familiar tale of a driver losing control of their car and colliding with the only tree in sight. The driver’s fixation on avoiding the tree led them directly into it, rather than steering away from it.
I invite you, as I am doing myself, to observe your mindset honestly and without judgment. Without awareness and a change of focus, we cannot initiate meaningful change. We will keep hitting trees and spilling coffee. The good news is that we all possess the capacity to shift our mindset, transforming the way we think about ourselves and the world.
For me, altering my default setting is a gradual process. I aim to leave behind the scarcity mindset and embrace a life of gratitude. Believe me, I am tested countless times, often when I least expect it, tempting me to revert to my default mindset. Similar to working out at the gym, changing a default setting requires endurance, persistently maintaining a high level of energy rather than slouching in complacency. One weekend won’t do it. It demands focusing on where I want to go, rather than dwelling on what I wish to avoid. Daily, I implore God to guide me towards the path of gratitude.
To aid in my transformation, I have started keeping a Gratitude Journal. It allows me to recognize the things I am genuinely grateful for. However, the challenging part for me lies in translating gratitude into action. It’s easy to list the things I appreciate, but allowing God to motivate me to act and give from a place of gratitude requires conscious effort. Many of you have already embraced this response to gratitude because you reset your default mindset long ago. For me, it involves reprogramming my thinking, making a deliberate choice to (1) cultivate gratitude, and (2) generously give from that grateful state.
Of course, this transformation demands that I open my heart wide to change. Embracing change goes against the very core of my nature, even though I am fully aware that without it, my life will only grow more difficult. Changing this default setting is the key to preventing both my own suffering and the suffering of those around me. Yet, I must admit that I often struggle to avoid postponing change for yet another day. It takes immense courage to confront the challenges that present themselves in the here and now, relinquishing control and allowing God to act through me, resolving the problems at hand.
In this heartfelt letter of confession, I hold myself accountable to you, my fellow Catch Citizens, to embody a spirit of gratitude and to translate that gratitude into meaningful action. It is not mere words that I offer but a commitment to give and give and give. I want you to truly understand the depth of my appreciation for your presence in my life. It is through this profound gratitude that I am inspired to reciprocate by giving abundantly.
In this journey of transformation, I am learning to shed the shackles of scarcity and fear, embracing a mindset of gratitude and the desire to give. It is an ongoing process, one that requires unwavering dedication and a willingness to grow. With each passing day, I strive to rewrite my default setting, replacing scarcity with generosity and anxiety with joy.
I implore you to join me on this path of growth and change. Let us break free from the confines of our past and step boldly into a future illuminated by gratitude. Together, we can transcend the limitations of our scarcity mindset and create a ripple effect of love and compassion in the world.
Thank you for being a part of this transformative journey, and please know that my gratitude for you knows no bounds. I am committed to living a life of gratitude, and I pledge to give from the depths of my heart, ensuring that you feel cherished and supported like never before.
PLEASE WELCOME
OUR NEWEST MEMBER TO THE CATCH TEAM
We are thrilled to welcome Terri Main as the Catch Ministry’s Director of Community Development. Terri will focus her time on how best to connect our community of believers and specifically enhance our programs in support of our all important MemberPartners.
Terri Main’s life has been defined by her commitment to Christian ministry, education, communication, and the arts. Terri’s journey with us began in the mid-70s, during the Jesus Revolution, when she was part of a concert production group, Harvest Seed Productions, in Eureka, California. This group was instrumental in staging weekly Jesus Music concerts, a movement with which our founder, John Fischer, was deeply involved. During this time, Terri handled publicity, led Bible studies for the ministry staff, and produced a Jesus Music radio program called “The Sound of the Comforter.” Her passion for the music and teachings of that era remained a guiding force in her life.
Life took her on various paths as a college educator before she reconnected with John and the Catch Ministry in 2012. Through her contributions to this ministry, Terri has shown herself to be thoughtful, innovative, and reliable. We are fortunate to have her on board to take on this much needed upgrade for the MemberPartner program.
Terri welcomes your interaction. She is available at [email protected].
Happy Fourth of July!
We and our American friends will take a holiday tomorrow. We will be back with you all the more on Wednesday when we will continue to Embrace the Journey in honoring our amazing MemberPartners.
John Fischer The Catch 