I have something to say, with fear and trepidation….
Because who am I to even “say” anything to anyone? Who am I to act like I have anything together or have done anything right. Yes; I put a period there because it’s an obvious answer…not a legitimate question.
Honestly, I have felt like I’ve failed and not done the absolute best I could at much of anything, at least for the entire time I was doing it. Contrarily, I give everything I put my hand to my all. I go in full force, full heart, you get every bit I have to offer to that thing/person in that moment, that time. I love HARD.
I fizzle tho and I’ve watched myself compromise…allowing selfish desires to cause me to not give my best at times through the process, my all to what/who I know to be most important. That’s shameful and believe me, I feel it and fight it often.
I’m challenged in those times and spaces in my mind and heart to remember who God says I am, to remember the blood of Jesus that washes away ALL of my sin (WHEN I TRULY REPENT and TURN FROM THAT SIN ACTIVELY and sincerely), and I’m challenged to remember that though I fail (and often), I still have purpose and meaning and INFLUENCE.
“Influence.” “Impact.” My life, my actions, my love matters. And they matter not only for my own eternal destiny but for others. Yes, me, little ol’ weak puny me has a huge impact, influence, and is making a difference in other’s lives, either positive or negative. Especially those in my family; the ones the Lord has put directly under my care, those who I’ve “let in” to my life, decided I will minister to and be accountable for.
Do you know the power you hold?
I was reading about Libby Clegg. She’s a sprinter. And she’s blind. Ok. Um….Ok. Hmmm…(insert thinking emoji here…) Would you run a race if you couldn’t physically see? Would you seriously think, “I’m going to compete, in public, for everyone to see, even tho I’m BLIND and literally can’t see where to run. I can’t see well enough to run in the right direction. I can’t see to know if I’m going to fall in to a pit or smack full force in to someone and crash and burn on the race track, getting road rash all over my body, bruises, scrapes, pain. Would you do it? I wouldn’t. I full on admit it. Nope. I mean, why? That would be so vulnerable, so wildly exposing to my insecurities, my inadequacies, my pride, my dignity, my reputation, my physical comfort (lol), and to top it all off, my confidence. That would be one of those “setting myself up to fail” situations that could potentiality ruin me for awhile if I failed. It might take some time to recover from that, ya know? But she did it. Dang, she did it. And she won.
Much like a lot of us starting out at anything in life, stepping in to a calling or obeying the Lord by doing something even tho it’s scary and doesn’t make sense, right? Or those times you don’t feel equipped or well taught in the matter or qualified to do it…but you step out and obey anyway. What’s going to make or break that step??? Yes, the Lord is the ultimate story end, but He actually designed it all to be where we needed another human or humans to come alongside us and teach us, encourage us, mentor us, cheer for us, RUN with us….
You know why?
I realize I’m not her and I can’t speak for her, but looking in from the outside, watching the video of her running alongside the man who led her, guided her, was by her side every step of the way, she wasn’t as afraid because she was led well. Someone who could see beyond her ability took her under his wing and selflessly RAN next to her, with her.
She was led well.
Selah
I’m not gonna go in to all the spiritual parallels this carries, but I hope you’re feeling it, I hope you hear what I’m saying.
If he decided he didn’t care to practice with her every day, if he didn’t value her and her life, her purpose enough to put time in with her, to invest, to teach, to run alongside her, if he wanted the glory and pride of winning more, she would not have won. She would have fallen flat on her face, literally, or into someone else and ate dirt…that outcome would not have posted all over social media would it have? Or if it was, it would have been by people who cared more about making a dime on making fun of someone’s failure for a laugh. Quite different outcomes, yes? And quite different motivating factors. Quite different people. Which one are you? But more importantly, are you the guy who runs alongside?
His name is Christopher Clark…SO much respect. So much! Are you the guy who knows you carry the power to “make or break” someone? Thats not just a cliche. That’s a real thing.
Who’s under your care? Whether it be by blood, work, extended family, ministry, leadership in your job, home, or church, or a random person who sees you as an influence. Are you living your life, running the race alongside them, investing your all (if they’ve been put under your care), and especially if they’re your children. Are you being the person they need? Are you praying, supporting, encouraging, just being there, uplifting, running the race WITH them and valuing them as if they were yourself, knowing God created each of us in His own image and no one is of more value than another?
Jesus was the ultimate disciple-r. He was there. He said come and follow me and He exemplified what it looked like and sounded like to be kind, loving, good, an ever present help, an encourager, a lover, a friend, one who exhorted those around Him to step up to a higher level and become their best, and He wasn’t ever not on His game, like me. He wasn’t ever overtaken with selfish desires to just “have a break,” or “need to chill,” or “we all sin sometimes,” or “I’m too busy to invest in that person because they don’t really hold value to me.” Lord, have mercy on me, please.
EVERYONE held value to Jesus. He invested. He gave. He ran alongside…moves me to tears being a recipient of His mentorship, His discipleship, His love. He runs with me. He cheers me on. He sees me in His image even tho I’m not perfect and He values spending time with me as much as He does the most godly, prophetic, theological scholar out there. What humility. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
To my sons, my daughter in law, future DIL’s, my grandchild, and my future grandchildren, my parents, my in laws, my extended family, my friends, the ones the Lord puts in my path, I (won’t promise because God said not to), devote my heart to do what I can to run alongside you, to show you, you are valuable, to cheer you on as you step out in blindfolds not knowing much but obeying the Lord or trying a new thing, to apologize when I’m wrong, to love you, to pray for you, and to RUN (sometimes it might be walk-I do have a bum knee), to be real and weak and stupid and goofy and never perfect (but always desiring so), till I die. With Jesus, my side by side runner, guiding me in the dark, I will guide you as best I know how…unfortunately, not without sin or failure, but my heart is to TRY and to RUN. WITH. YOU always toward the cross. I will hold your hand even, uncomfortably maybe for you, but you’ll know I’m here for you. And hopefully know and feel comfortable telling me to stop holding your hand when you don’t need it. Haha
You have a purpose. You have an influence. You have an impact. Watch yourselves, put yourself aside and realize your life could quite literally make or break someone under your influence.
No matter who you are, you have a huge responsibility; not to be perfect, but to be there, to run alongside giving them your imperfect all.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Amen.
Click and watch below. 🙂
Jody Simmons 