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True Fulfillment: Why Achievement Alone Isn't Enough · Reborn w/ Antonio Boutros

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome back to the Reborn Podcast.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Tony Beutres, and I'm thrilled to have you here with me today.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: Whether you're driving, working out, or just taking some time for yourself, I really, really appreciate you tuning in.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: This podcast is all about personal and spiritual development with a strong focus on leadership and entrepreneurship.
• 0:19
  SPEAKER_00: But today we're diving into something deeper.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: Something that's been at the core of my own journey.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: Finding true fulfillment in Christ.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: We live in a world that glorifies success, where your worth is often measured by how much you've achieved, how much money you've made, or how many people know your name.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: I've been there.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: I've chased those things, thinking that they would bring me peace and contentment, but I've found it a hard way that nothing in this world can truly satisfy.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Today I want to share with you what I've learned about being full in Christ and how it's transformed my life, especially in times when business is slow or life throws unexpected challenges your way.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I want to clarify before we dive any deeper.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: I love achievement.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: Honestly, I love making money.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: And I love people knowing my name.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: But the issue becomes when those are your idols.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: I love those things, but I if someone were to tell me, okay, Tony, you have you have two choices.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_00: You can either have these things, you can have all the people in the world know your name.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_00: You can have all the money in the world, you can achieve all the achievements you've ever wanted to achieve, but you will not have a relationship with Christ.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Or you can have none of these things.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: Let's say you can even be homeless, but you'll be full in Christ.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: I am choosing the latter every time.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Uh before we dive any deeper.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um now I do believe that as a man, uh you're gonna have to go through storms that are going to lead to people knowing your name, that are gonna lead to money, that are gonna lead to achievement.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: But you're gonna go through many, many, many bad times.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: Or quote unquote bad times.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: I don't think any times are bad.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: I think everything that you're going through, you're growing through.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_00: And so I'm grateful for every single experience I've ever had.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: Now, uh let's let's get back to the episode.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: Noah starts with a simple yet profound truth.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: That's Matthew 6 and 33, and it's not just a verse, it's a blueprint for life.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: We often get it backwards, seeking the things first, whether that's success, recognition, or even relationships, and hoping that God will fit into what is left.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: Let me repeat that.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: And I am tripped off of my words.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: We often get it backwards, seeking the things first, whether that's success, recognition, or even relationships, and hoping that God will fit in will fit into what is left.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: Now it sounds silly when you say it like that, doesn't it?
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_00: The truth is, when we ground ourselves in Christ, everything else falls into place.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: When I say being full in Christ, I'm talking about a deep, unshakable contentment that doesn't depend on your circumstances.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: It's about having a faith that stands firm, even when the storms of life try to knock you down.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: And let's be real.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: Being a Christian, now listen to this, this is important.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: Being a Christian doesn't exempt us from difficult times.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, sometimes it feels like we face even more challenges because of our faith.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: But that's where the power of grounding yourself in Christ comes into play.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: Let me share a bit of my own story with you.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_00: For a long time, I sought my self-worth in business.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: I believe that if I could just achieve a certain level of success, then I would feel fulfilled.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_00: But the more I chase after it, the more empty I felt.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: It was a never-ending cycle of striving and stressing.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: And I remember I literally came to a point where my business is very sales heavy, and each sale is typically five figures and above, right?
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: I came to a point where I felt instead of excited and accomplished and proud and joyful and and so on, all these great emotions.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: I felt empty when I got a sale.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: Earlier this year, in February, I started my business.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: Uh and like many entrepreneurs, I was filled with ambition, ready to take on the world.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: But I quickly learned that the entrepreneurial journey is filled with ups and downs.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_00: There were moments when things were great and I felt on top of the world, but then there were those slow seasons when the clients were far and few between, and doubt started to creep in.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: During one of the slower periods, I realized that I'd been placing my hope in the wrong things.
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_00: I was looking to my business for validation and peace.
• 6:02
  SPEAKER_00: That's when I turned back to Christ, seeking Him first, and everything started to change.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_00: Not because my circumstances immediately improved.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: They didn't, but because my my perspective did.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_00: Spend time in prayer, not just talking, but listening.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: Surround yourself with a community of believers who will support and challenge you.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: And I want to touch on that last part again.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: Challenge you.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_00: Challenge you.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_00: You need people, brothers, sisters, men, women, who will challenge you.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_00: We're often afraid of challenge because it's tough, it can hurt, but it's also where the most most growth occurs.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_00: And most importantly, remember that your identity is found in Christ, not in what you do or what you achieve.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_00: Luke 7 and 23 says, Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_00: This verse reminds us that our faith will be tested, and there will be times and when following Christ is not easy.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: But those who remain steadfast will keep their eyes on him, who I'm sorry, who keeps their eyes on him will be blessed in ways that the world can't understand.
• 8:23
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you've ever felt unfort if you've ever felt felt, if you've ever felt forsaken, you've ever felt like God is just I mean, what are you doing, God?
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_00: Know that John the Baptist and Jesus himself also felt that way at one point.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_00: John felt he wasn't sure he doubted Jesus when he was in jail.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus felt forsaken when he was on the cross.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_00: So know that it's normal at times to feel forsaken, even Jesus did.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_00: But that you're not, that he loves you, and that he's with you.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: Be faithful.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: He will always provide and he has never, never will.
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_00: And he has never and he never will fail.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_00: As Christian entrepreneurs and leaders, we face a unique dilemma.
• 9:42
  SPEAKER_00: We're called to excel in our work, to be diligent, and to lead with excellence.
• 9:46
  SPEAKER_00: But we're also called to hold on our hold to our success loosely, knowing that it's God who ultimately gives and takes away.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_00: It's attention that we must navigate daily.
• 10:00
  SPEAKER_00: The key is to do everything as unto the Lord, not for the approval of men, or even for personal satisfaction.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: When your work becomes an act of worship, the pressure to perform fades away.
• 10:15
  SPEAKER_00: You can trust that God will bless the work of your hands, even if it doesn't look like the success the world celebrates.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this doesn't mean be aloof about everything.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_00: This doesn't mean oh, I'm gonna work and God will provide everything.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_00: Faith without works is dead.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, being in sales, you still want to go through sales training, you still want to better yourself, you still want to improve on man, how can I overcome this objection?
• 10:45
  SPEAKER_00: How can I better serve my clients?
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: How can and and so on.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_00: Improve yourself.
• 10:54
  SPEAKER_00: Here are a few practical practical steps to help you uh live full in Christ every day.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_00: Number one, start your day with God.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_00: Before you check your emails or dive into work, spend time in prayer and scripture.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_00: This sets the tone for your entire day.
• 11:07
  SPEAKER_00: Number two, practice gratitude.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_00: Keep a journal and write down three things you're grateful for each day.
• 11:11
  SPEAKER_00: It shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have.
• 11:14
  SPEAKER_00: Number three, surrender your plans.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: Make your plans, but hold them loosely.
• 11:19
  SPEAKER_00: Trust that God's plans are higher than yours even when you don't understand them.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: Number four, rest in his promises.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: When you feel overwhelmed, go back to the promises in God's word.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_00: Remind yourself that he is faithful and will never leave you.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_00: Number five, stay connected.
• 11:33
  SPEAKER_00: Don't isolate yourself.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_00: Stay connected to your church, your community, and other believers who can ensure encourage and pray with you.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_00: Can we imagine a life that we're doing all five of these things?
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: Practicing gratitude, starting our day with God, surrendering in our plans, resting in His promises, and staying connected.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_00: Can we imagine life that we're doing all five of these?
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_00: What kind of life would that lead to?
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_00: What would life feel like?
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_00: What would that do for us?
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, how would we feel about ourselves?
• 12:03
  SPEAKER_00: How would we feel about our community?
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_00: How would our relationship with Christ look and develop?
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_00: Now I want to take a moment to answer some questions that I've ref that I've received from listeners.
• 12:15
  SPEAKER_00: Tony, how do you balance your faith with the demands of running a business?
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: It's all about priorities.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: My relationship with Christ comes first.
• 12:27
  SPEAKER_00: When that's in order, everything else falls into place.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: I also make it a point to seek God's guidance in every business decision.
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't mean I always get it right, but it does mean I'm not relying on my own understanding.
• 12:42
  SPEAKER_00: What do you do when you feel like God is silent, especially during tough times?
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_00: Silence doesn't mean absence.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_00: God is even always working, even when we can't see it.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_00: During those times I lean on scripture and remind myself of his past faithfulness.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_00: I also talk to trusted friends who can offer perspective and pray with me.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_00: How can I find peace when my business is struggling?
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_00: Peace comes from trusting that God is in control, not having all the answers.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_00: Slow seasons are tough, but they can also be a time of growth and refinement.
• 13:34
  SPEAKER_00: Use that time to draw closer to God and to reassess your priorities.
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_00: But recently it's been slower, and so I've been able to pray more, get into word more, make more content, and so on.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_00: And it's brought me closer to God.
• 14:12
  SPEAKER_00: So I believe that again, every single experience, every season of life is a blessing.
• 14:21
  SPEAKER_00: If you're going through a down season, it's preparing you for an up season.
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_00: If you're going through an up season, be prepared for a down season.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_00: It's all perspective.
• 14:33
  SPEAKER_00: I I really I I feel kind of weird saying down and up season.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_00: I feel every season is up, no matter what you're going through.
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_00: But as we wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with this.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_00: True fulfillment doesn't come from what you achieve, but from who you are in Christ.
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_00: Seek him first.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_00: Ground yourself in his word and let your faith be the foundation that holds you steady in every season.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_00: Remember you're not alone in this journey.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_00: God is with you, guiding you, providing for you every step of the way.
• 15:07
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for joining me today on the Reborn Podcast.
• 15:10
  SPEAKER_00: If this episode spoke to you, I'd love for you to share it with someone who might need to hear it.
• 15:14
  SPEAKER_00: And if you haven't already, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_00: Till next time, stay grounded in Christ and keep pursuing the life he's called you to.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_00: God bless.