Evoke Curiosity

By David VanEpps

People may not notice what you say, but they always notice how you act. If you want to elicit the right behavior, start by acting the right way.  Lead by example. You can’t ask your employees to put in the extra effort when you’re not doing the same. You can’t ask people to watch their language while you’re repeatedly dropping four-letter words.  As pastor and speaker Eric Thomas says,

“You don’t beg average people to be phenomenal.  You don’t beg good people to be phenomenal.  You just are phenomenal, and you will attract phenomenal.”

If you want to live a better life, one that will evoke curiosity, start by being a better you.

Your Story is Your Message to the World

Your life is your message to the world—make yours inspirational! What is your story?  What’s the secret sauce that makes you special, unique, and valuable? What are those special qualities that only you possess?  What are the things you most want to be remembered for?  Maybe you’re not happy with your life so far. Maybe you’ve made some mistakes, maybe you’ve fallen short at times, and maybe you view yourself as a failure.  If so, there’s good news.  Not only are you in good company, as most people feel the same way, but the rest of your story is yet to be written.  Start with your purpose, your passions, and your priorities. What are they, how are you living them out, and where can you improve?  The remaining chapters of your story have yet to be written. Make it an inspirational best seller!

Bear Fruit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23, NIV

That’s one of my favorite verses for many reasons. Trees bear fruit, and when one looks at an apple tree, for example, we often judge it’s health by how many big, juicy apples it produces.  Nobody looks at an apple tree and judges it because it tried to produce fruit, talked about producing fruit, or even made excuses as to why it couldn’t produce fruit. Either it produced fruit, or it didn’t.  People are judged the same way – either we produce fruit, or we don’t.  When people see you, do they see someone who is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and disciplined?  Do your actions display those qualities of greatness that you want to showcase to the world as the fruit you produce? 

If not, start this very minute to make a concerted effort to radiate these qualities of greatness in all that you do. God’s word doesn’t just say these are good qualities, it says these are fruits that manifest in the lives of people who are filled with the Holy Spirit.  To be filled with the Holy Spirit, you simply need to ask.  Spend time in God’s word, the Bible, and spend time in prayer.  Just ask God to fill you with His Spirit and see what happens.

Evoke Curiosity

Have you ever met someone and just wondered what it is that makes them tick? Someone so special, unique, and charismatic that you wanted some of whatever they have?  Charisma isn’t a magnetic physical appearance that attracts others; it’s a magnetic personality that draws others in.  It’s the ability to relate to others on their level. It’s the ability to empathize with others and to make a genuine connection.  

How do you live a life that evokes curiosity and makes everyone wonder how you do it?  Here are a few starting points:

• Take an inventory of your actions. Are you living out your purpose, your passions, and your priorities?
• Look at the fruit you’re producing. Are you producing fruit that’s visible to others? Are your personal qualities of greatness displayed in everything you do? 
• Consider how you relate to other people.  Are you glued to your phone, or are you engaging with those around you? Are you exuding love, empathy, and connection to others? 
• Think about your uniqueness. What would make your children, your grandchildren, your neighbors, your co-workers want to learn more about you?
• Lastly, think about your story.  What is it about your story that evokes curiosity, and what’s missing from your current story that you need to write into your future chapters?

Your Opportunity

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” You have it in you to live an incredibly joyful, purposeful, fulfilling life that evokes curiosity and draws others in like a magnet. God made you unique, and He made you for a purpose.  Go out and live the life He intended for you.