Invention ─ Think Different; Break Free from the Culture Hell-bent on Holding You Back

There's a nagging feeling in every man, an innate sense that there is more to our existence, more to the purpose of our day-to-day than how we're living now. The culture that surrounds us–one of ambition, success, and stability–is a culture of isolation, self-preservation, and survival. We are taught to keep our heads down, to man up, to power through, because that's what the best of the best do. So, we keep chugging along, putting on a good face, and eventually find ourselves lying in bed at night wondering if this is really all there is.

We are designed for a different life!

We are specifically designed to contribute to something bigger, something more important. The universe's Inventor designed us like he designed our world: with passion and precision and purpose! He made us, with painstaking care, for a better world, for a perfect world, to play a part in that perfection. But the world isn't perfect. Its ruler is a vicious enemy, hell bent on keeping us from ever really living, inventing lies to convince us that this is it—that a man keeps his head down and grinds on, that alcohol or pornography or drugs or anything else will make it easier. How are we supposed to see past these obscuring lies? How do we begin to live the way we are meant to live?

Jesus said, "I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of" (MSG, John 10:10). The one man who makes real life possible said that about us. "They" means you! Invention is a look at how some of the world's greatest men, revolutionary inventors and innovators, overcame the lies and the culture that held them back. It's a guidebook to recognizing these lies, reconnecting with God and finding the truths of your identity so you can start really living.

Justin Camp is the co-founder of Gather Ministries and bestselling author of WiRE: A One-Year, Twice-a-Week Devotional for Busy Men.