We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lisa Garon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I was stuck. I spent nearly two decades in an unhappy, unfulfilling life. I worked too much for others’ passions. I bent over backward to make others’ dreams come true. I struggled with my mental health, including depression and self-harm. And my closest relationships were a mess.
So, what changed? Me.
When I was 30, I had an identity crisis. I realized that I didn’t know who I was or why I was here. I’d believed in Jesus since I was a little girl, but believing wasn’t enough. I had to give to God all of me so he could shape me into who I was always meant to be.
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Along this journey, the right people popped into my life to teach me what it meant to be the person God always wanted me to be. They challenged my poor habits. They spoke truth to me. They taught me new habits so I could live a thriving, faith-filled life with purpose.
Now, I want to push, challenge, and teach others so they can live with purpose and as the person God always created them to be. I want to disciple people differently so they can see their purpose in God’s mission.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a pastor of a local church in Sherwood, OR, and I am passionate about learning more about my community so I can discover what God might be up to there. In addition, I serve as a mentor and consultant for small churches seeking to understand what it means to be “missional” and bring the light of Jesus into their local communities.
In the near future, I will also serve a wider audience online through online mentorship, podcasting, and books and resources for information and inspiration about what it means to follow Jesus today.
To stay up to date as new offerings and content rolls out, subscribe to my newsletter at lisagaron.com/subscribe.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In no particular order, I see my top three qualities that contribute to where I am today as my vocational background in business, my incessant question-asking to understand all the input before I make a decision, and my ability to communicate both information and inspiration.
My advice for those just starting out:
People will tell you all the things that are wrong with you. While there’s a time to receive feedback with grace and a worthwhile endeavor to improve clear weaknesses, know your strengths early. Get really good at those strengths as soon as you can. I mean REALLY good. This is your reflection of God’s image in the world. Shine the light in you to the world.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I have recognized I am human! I know that sounds ridiculous, so let me expand.
Over the last 18 months, I’ve worked two part-time jobs, been a full-time student in a master’s program, and experienced a major life change with our son moving out. During all of this, I’ve learned my limitations, the importance of taking a Sabbath, and how not to work until the last minute before going to bed. I’m still a work in progress, but I’m catching on that I am not super human.
Space is good.
Contact Info:
- Website: lisagaron.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisanicolegaron/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagaron/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LisaGaron
Image Credits
Shelly Sullivan
