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Barriers and Excuses—Or Results
1) December is too busy a month. I don’t have the money.
It’s too far to travel.
Consider your alternatives to attending. If you always do
what you’ve always done, spiritually...
2) I’m not religious. I’m atheist. I’m agnostic.
We at Pathways are Christian. However, in Step Beyond, as
throughout the Pathways training, we distinguish carefully
between what’s religious and what’s spiritual. We
teach no religious doctrine or dogma, nor do we endorse any
particular religious stance. There is a spiritual component
to life and managing our lives conscientiously includes spiritual
practice. Part of the Step Beyond training is taking a careful
look at what living “spiritually” means, especially
to you as an individual.
3) My point of view is different from the majority culture.
(I’m Buddhist, Mormon, Adventist, Witness, Wiccan, etc.)
Step Beyond is not designed to change anyone’s doctrinal
belief or non-belief. It IS designed to change how you live.
The training takes no position on the specifics of your belief.
We are Christian; when we talk about spiritual matters, we
use language that is specific to our make up. We ask participants
to do exactly what they do in other parts of the training
– put your filters on so you can hear what creates value
for you regardless of how we express ourselves.
4) I’m mad at God. I don’t trust God. I’m
afraid of God. Religious people have hurt me.
Welcome to the club. If your feelings or your history are
barriers to your living the spiritual life that your heart
desires, this training may have great value for you.
5) I’ve lied, stolen, cheated, and hurt others. I’ve
done evil things. God must hate me.
You’re not alone. If your actions or your history are
barriers to your living the spiritual life that your heart
desires, this training may have great value for you.
6) Churches are filled with hypocrites.
Self defeating game number 4. “Hiding
behind judgments.” Are you playing that right
now?
What payoffs can I get for avoiding Step Beyond?
- I can keep playing smaller than I really am.
- I don’t have to deal with vision, mission, purpose,
or any other big deals.
- I stay in my comfort zone, pretending this is all there
is.
- I don’t have to hold myself accountable or live with
integrity.
- I can hide from God
- I’m reluctant to embrace any program that isn’t
exclusively Christian.
- We step out of the ivory tower and meet people where they
are, the way Christ met them.
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