Something is beginning to change within me...something is not the same.
I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game.
It's too late for second-guessing; too late to go back to sleep.
It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap...
I'm through accepting limits...just because someone says they're so.
Some things I cannot change, but until I try I'll never know.
For too long I've been afraid of losing love I guess I've already lost...
And if that's love, it comes at much too high a cost.
It's time to try defying gravity...
You can't pull me down anymore.
Thursday
Tuesday
...from the head to the heart.
Did you know that the Tin Woodman from the Wizard of Oz was actually born with a heart? We all from the movie how Dorothy and the Scarecrow come upon him and free him from a state of permanent "rust induced immobility" by using his oil can to first free his lips and then to free his spirit. But the movie doesn't tell us is that the Tin Woodman had once been a real man, who had once been in love with a beautiful Munchkin maiden. In the original fairy tale, the author explains how it was his dream to marry his true love, once he could save enough money to build them a cottage in the woods. The Wicked Witch hated his love and so she cast spells on him that would cause him injury, so that one by one, his limbs needed to be replaced with artificial ones made of tin. At first, this seemed to be an advantage; his mechanical arms allowing him to work like a machine. With a heart of love and arms that never tired, he found himself in a "win-win" situation.
"I thought I had beaten the Wicked Witch then, and I worked harder than ever, but I little knew how cruel my enemy could be. She thought of a new way to kill my love for the Munchkin maiden and made my axe slip again, so that it cut right through my body, splitting it in two halves. Once more the tinner came to my help making me a body of tin. Fastening my tin arms, and legs, and head to it, by means of joints so that I could move around as well as ever. But alas! I now had no heart, so that I lost my love for the Munchkin girl, and did not care whether I married her or not..."
"It was a terrible thing to undergo, but during the year I stood there I had time to think that the greatest loss I had ever known was the loss of my heart. While I was in love, I was the happiest man on earth; but no one can love who has not a heart, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one. If he does, I will go back to the Munchkin maiden and marry her."
"Both Dorothy and the Scarecrow had been greatly interested in the story of the Tin Woodman, and now they knew why he was so anxious to get a new heart. "All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one." "I shall take the heart," replied the Tin Woodman, "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world."
(L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz)
The heart is central. Maybe God knows something we've forgotten.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34
All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2
Makes you wonder about all of the importance and relevance we place on intelligence, academic achievement, and aptitude. If we really want to take the measure of a man...maybe we shouldn't place so much importance on whats going on in his head...and take notice of whats going on 18 inches to the South.
"I thought I had beaten the Wicked Witch then, and I worked harder than ever, but I little knew how cruel my enemy could be. She thought of a new way to kill my love for the Munchkin maiden and made my axe slip again, so that it cut right through my body, splitting it in two halves. Once more the tinner came to my help making me a body of tin. Fastening my tin arms, and legs, and head to it, by means of joints so that I could move around as well as ever. But alas! I now had no heart, so that I lost my love for the Munchkin girl, and did not care whether I married her or not..."
"It was a terrible thing to undergo, but during the year I stood there I had time to think that the greatest loss I had ever known was the loss of my heart. While I was in love, I was the happiest man on earth; but no one can love who has not a heart, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one. If he does, I will go back to the Munchkin maiden and marry her."
"Both Dorothy and the Scarecrow had been greatly interested in the story of the Tin Woodman, and now they knew why he was so anxious to get a new heart. "All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one." "I shall take the heart," replied the Tin Woodman, "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world."
(L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz)
The heart is central. Maybe God knows something we've forgotten.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34
All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2
Makes you wonder about all of the importance and relevance we place on intelligence, academic achievement, and aptitude. If we really want to take the measure of a man...maybe we shouldn't place so much importance on whats going on in his head...and take notice of whats going on 18 inches to the South.
Sunday
secret invasion...
Marvel comics is currently running a crossover called "Secret Invasion." The idea is to tie together all of the superheroes in the Marvel Universe with a common plot. They do this at least every couple of years with a small 3-4 month crossover, but this time I think the idea is to carry it through a full year. It's a great idea and makes for great writing.
Secret Invasion takes place on the premise that many years ago, a group of alien shape-shifters called "Skrulls" decided to replace certain and specific superheroes across the globe in a strategic effort to one day take over the earth. In recent months, the good guys have discovered this plot and are working to stop it. Each week, new heroes are revealed to be be Skrulls and the headline, "Who do you trust?" runs across at least 3 different titles. Each week, more and more of the characters you have come to love and believe in are revealed as aliens... and readers across the globe are shocked and amazed.
The thing I find interesting about this is the way the writers decided to make the infiltration happen. They created characters who are so dedicated to their race and the conquest of Earth, that many of the Skrull replacement heroes don't even realize that they are Skrulls until it's too late. The transformation of their physical and mental forms into that of the person they are replacing is so deep and so complete, that they themselves do not remember their former lives until they are awakened by the phrase, "He loves me." When it is spoken to a sleeper agent, he or she remembers everything and goes forward to do their part for the invasion. At this point in the story, the phrase is suggested to refer to the "first one" who is the foundation of the Skrull race, its religions, and its beliefs.
As Christians, I wonder how much like that we are at times...so deeply rooted in the traditions and beliefs that we have been exposed to since childhood that we have long forgotten those things which made us unique and different to begin with. How much of ourselves have we forgotten simply because we have been told by the church to act and to choose in a certain way.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that Christianity is a bad thing akin to a cult...
I'm not suggesting that listening to the suggestions of our pastors will brainwash us into blindly
making decisions which will demand for us to give up our free will.
I'm just saying that sometimes, I feel like an alien who doesn't really remember who he was created to be. Sometimes I think that there has to be more to following Christ than what the church says. Sometimes I long for a more pure, a more true, a more intimate relationship with the God who chose me. Sometimes I feel like I gave up my life for a cause I knew little about. I've spend many years talking to God and very few actually listening to him. I would like to hear, "He loves you." not because its what we are supposed to say to each other, or because it's the christian thing to do. I want to hear it because it's true. I want to hear it because it's real. I want to hear it because I want to wake up. I want to remember. I want to know. And I want to be truly thankful that the old has gone and the new has come.
Secret Invasion takes place on the premise that many years ago, a group of alien shape-shifters called "Skrulls" decided to replace certain and specific superheroes across the globe in a strategic effort to one day take over the earth. In recent months, the good guys have discovered this plot and are working to stop it. Each week, new heroes are revealed to be be Skrulls and the headline, "Who do you trust?" runs across at least 3 different titles. Each week, more and more of the characters you have come to love and believe in are revealed as aliens... and readers across the globe are shocked and amazed.
The thing I find interesting about this is the way the writers decided to make the infiltration happen. They created characters who are so dedicated to their race and the conquest of Earth, that many of the Skrull replacement heroes don't even realize that they are Skrulls until it's too late. The transformation of their physical and mental forms into that of the person they are replacing is so deep and so complete, that they themselves do not remember their former lives until they are awakened by the phrase, "He loves me." When it is spoken to a sleeper agent, he or she remembers everything and goes forward to do their part for the invasion. At this point in the story, the phrase is suggested to refer to the "first one" who is the foundation of the Skrull race, its religions, and its beliefs.
As Christians, I wonder how much like that we are at times...so deeply rooted in the traditions and beliefs that we have been exposed to since childhood that we have long forgotten those things which made us unique and different to begin with. How much of ourselves have we forgotten simply because we have been told by the church to act and to choose in a certain way.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that Christianity is a bad thing akin to a cult...
I'm not suggesting that listening to the suggestions of our pastors will brainwash us into blindly
making decisions which will demand for us to give up our free will.
I'm just saying that sometimes, I feel like an alien who doesn't really remember who he was created to be. Sometimes I think that there has to be more to following Christ than what the church says. Sometimes I long for a more pure, a more true, a more intimate relationship with the God who chose me. Sometimes I feel like I gave up my life for a cause I knew little about. I've spend many years talking to God and very few actually listening to him. I would like to hear, "He loves you." not because its what we are supposed to say to each other, or because it's the christian thing to do. I want to hear it because it's true. I want to hear it because it's real. I want to hear it because I want to wake up. I want to remember. I want to know. And I want to be truly thankful that the old has gone and the new has come.
Wednesday
time...the ultimate physician
Why is it that time is the only thing that can heal all wounds?
Why isn't there a pill...or a magic potion...or even a universal "phrase" or saying that would work to make things better instantly?
Shane thinks it's because if we had an instant fix, we wouldn't learn from our mistakes or hurts and we would be doomed to repeat them. I think that makes perfect sense...except for the fact that I end up repeating them anyway.
How many times are we faced with the same temptation again and again...and how many times do we fall for it?
I know that I shouldn't have that last cookie...but if I get up extra early tomorrow and run...
I know my budget is really tight this month...but it IS on sale...
I know he said he would be there for me...and when I have this surgery I'm sure he will stand behind his word...in fact, that's one of the things he prides himself on...doing what he says he will do.
But I sat alone all night in a hospital...waiting for a visit...hoping for a phone call...that never came.
At the moment, I'm recovering from a number of wounds...some much deeper than others.
Time will take care of the physical ones.
With the help of my God and my friends...I'm going to take care of the rest.
Why isn't there a pill...or a magic potion...or even a universal "phrase" or saying that would work to make things better instantly?
Shane thinks it's because if we had an instant fix, we wouldn't learn from our mistakes or hurts and we would be doomed to repeat them. I think that makes perfect sense...except for the fact that I end up repeating them anyway.
How many times are we faced with the same temptation again and again...and how many times do we fall for it?
I know that I shouldn't have that last cookie...but if I get up extra early tomorrow and run...
I know my budget is really tight this month...but it IS on sale...
I know he said he would be there for me...and when I have this surgery I'm sure he will stand behind his word...in fact, that's one of the things he prides himself on...doing what he says he will do.
But I sat alone all night in a hospital...waiting for a visit...hoping for a phone call...that never came.
At the moment, I'm recovering from a number of wounds...some much deeper than others.
Time will take care of the physical ones.
With the help of my God and my friends...I'm going to take care of the rest.
Tuesday
...past tense revisited
I saw love once. I saw it clear.
It had no leash. It had no fear.
It gave itself without a thought.
No reservation had it brought.
It seemed so free to demonstrate.
It seems obsessed to orchestrate,
A symphony designed to feed;
Composed to lift the one in need.
Concern for others was its goal.
No matter what would be the toll.
It's strange just how much care it stores;
to recognize it's neighbor's sores..
And doesn't rest until the day;
it's helped to take the sores away.
It's joy retains and does not run.
Until the blessing's job is done.
I knew love once. 'Twas not pretend.
It was my coach. It was my friend.
Swen Nader
It had no leash. It had no fear.
It gave itself without a thought.
No reservation had it brought.
It seemed so free to demonstrate.
It seems obsessed to orchestrate,
A symphony designed to feed;
Composed to lift the one in need.
Concern for others was its goal.
No matter what would be the toll.
It's strange just how much care it stores;
to recognize it's neighbor's sores..
And doesn't rest until the day;
it's helped to take the sores away.
It's joy retains and does not run.
Until the blessing's job is done.
I knew love once. 'Twas not pretend.
It was my coach. It was my friend.
Swen Nader
Sunday
in the land of the blind...
So I had this eye surgery last week and the stitches come out on Wednesday...lets just say I CAN"T WAIT!!! My left eye is about 30% sewn shut and it's driving me crazy.
It doesn't hurt...it's just annoying.
The good news is that, once the stitches come out, all should be well. The bad news is that, just because my eye is fixed, it doesn't mean that everything else is.
But I'm working on it.
They say that in the land of the blind...the one eyed man is king. They also say that "It's good to be king."
I guess whoever said that lost sight of the beauty of the kingdom over which he ruled... or maybe he just thought he ruled over a kingdom...when in reality, no kingdom existed.
I'm thankful to have my eyesight and to know that time will heal all wounds.
Just keep reminding me of that as I take the patch from my eye...and move it to my heart.
It doesn't hurt...it's just annoying.
The good news is that, once the stitches come out, all should be well. The bad news is that, just because my eye is fixed, it doesn't mean that everything else is.
But I'm working on it.
They say that in the land of the blind...the one eyed man is king. They also say that "It's good to be king."
I guess whoever said that lost sight of the beauty of the kingdom over which he ruled... or maybe he just thought he ruled over a kingdom...when in reality, no kingdom existed.
I'm thankful to have my eyesight and to know that time will heal all wounds.
Just keep reminding me of that as I take the patch from my eye...and move it to my heart.
Thursday
Day 1...
Have you been walking on a surface that's uncertain?
I have...egg-shells.
Have you helped yourself to everything that's empty?
It's easy to convince ourselves that things will get better.
You can't live this way too long.
It's not living at all...just existing.
There's more than this, more than this.
And I've been wasting it by giving myself away.
Have you been standing on your own feet too long?
Standing doesn't happen when I'm on my feet...It comes when I'm on my knees.
Have you been looking for a place where you belong?
I've looked too hard and didn't see that it was right in front of me.
Have you been holding on to what this world has offered?
It's amazing to realize how much I am willing to pay for what I don't really need.
Have you been giving in to all these masquerades?
Facing the truth is never easy...and rarely is it pretty.
It will be gone, forever gone.It will be gone, it will be gone.
Are you carrying the weight too much?
Why can't I learn to just put it down and walk away? Pride? Stubbornness? Or is carrying the weight where I find my worth?
Are you running from the call?
As long as I run, I don't have to face the truth...and that means I don't have to face the fact that I might have been wrong.
I have...egg-shells.
Have you helped yourself to everything that's empty?
It's easy to convince ourselves that things will get better.
You can't live this way too long.
It's not living at all...just existing.
There's more than this, more than this.
And I've been wasting it by giving myself away.
Have you been standing on your own feet too long?
Standing doesn't happen when I'm on my feet...It comes when I'm on my knees.
Have you been looking for a place where you belong?
I've looked too hard and didn't see that it was right in front of me.
You can rest, you will find rest.
You can rest, you will find rest.
Have you been holding on to what this world has offered?
It's amazing to realize how much I am willing to pay for what I don't really need.
Have you been giving in to all these masquerades?
Facing the truth is never easy...and rarely is it pretty.
It will be gone, forever gone.It will be gone, it will be gone.
Are you carrying the weight too much?
Why can't I learn to just put it down and walk away? Pride? Stubbornness? Or is carrying the weight where I find my worth?
Are you running from the call?
As long as I run, I don't have to face the truth...and that means I don't have to face the fact that I might have been wrong.
Let this old life crumble, let it fade.
Let this new life offered be your saving grace.
Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade.
Monday
wonder twin powers...activate!!
Remember the Wonder twins? They were my favorite part of the Superfriends cartoon on Saturday mornings...that is until the new, new Superfriends showed up and made the show politically correct. Apache Chief could say a magic word and grow to 50 ft tall. Black Vulcan could make lightning bolts into handcuffs and spears. Samurai could turn invisible and turn into a tornado. Cool stuff...which got me to thinking...
Do you think that Superman was ever jealous of Aquaman? Now bear with me for a minute...
Sure it's cool to be invulnerable, super-strong, fast, and able to fly...but what good does all that do underwater? I mean, superman has heat-vision, but Aquaman can talk to fish...and not just fish, but ANY underwater creatures. Yeah, yeah...I know the grass is always greener... And common sense would tell us that Aquaman was somewhat jealous of Superman...but why couldn't it be the other way around? It makes sense to me.
You see, I'm finding myself in a similar situation. I'm not really convinced that I'm living the life of the person I want to be. I may be acting like superman, but I long to be Aquaman. I want to be able to let go of the labels and limits that I've worked for years to place on myself and somehow come to default too. I have the ability inside of me, I just always remember to use it in hindsight... after I've gone the other direction. And it's not necessarily that my choices are bad or good...they just aren't always the ones I really want to make and when push comes to shove, I tend to sacrifice myself for the greater good. I stand in front of the bullets to protect those I care about. I stand up to injustice for those who work for me. I subconsciously process decisions based on what I believe others want or need for me to do, and I act for the greater good. And once again I find myself drowning in a sea of my own making. A superman in all the ways that matter to the world around me...even those which leave me ineffective and insincere underwater.
I wish I were Aquaman....but for now, I'm not. So I'll do my best to remember something I heard a long time ago... You don't drown from falling in the water; you drown from staying there.
Do you think that Superman was ever jealous of Aquaman? Now bear with me for a minute...
Sure it's cool to be invulnerable, super-strong, fast, and able to fly...but what good does all that do underwater? I mean, superman has heat-vision, but Aquaman can talk to fish...and not just fish, but ANY underwater creatures. Yeah, yeah...I know the grass is always greener... And common sense would tell us that Aquaman was somewhat jealous of Superman...but why couldn't it be the other way around? It makes sense to me.
You see, I'm finding myself in a similar situation. I'm not really convinced that I'm living the life of the person I want to be. I may be acting like superman, but I long to be Aquaman. I want to be able to let go of the labels and limits that I've worked for years to place on myself and somehow come to default too. I have the ability inside of me, I just always remember to use it in hindsight... after I've gone the other direction. And it's not necessarily that my choices are bad or good...they just aren't always the ones I really want to make and when push comes to shove, I tend to sacrifice myself for the greater good. I stand in front of the bullets to protect those I care about. I stand up to injustice for those who work for me. I subconsciously process decisions based on what I believe others want or need for me to do, and I act for the greater good. And once again I find myself drowning in a sea of my own making. A superman in all the ways that matter to the world around me...even those which leave me ineffective and insincere underwater.
I wish I were Aquaman....but for now, I'm not. So I'll do my best to remember something I heard a long time ago... You don't drown from falling in the water; you drown from staying there.
Friday
depth and complexity...
Eight forty-five on a Friday night...and I'm angry. Earlier today (around 4pm) I called a friend I haven't seen in a couple of weeks and asked if he wanted to get together for Happy Hour. He said he was headed home and wouldn't be going out. It was no big deal. A few minutes later, he called again and said that he and another of our friends were getting together for a drink. I said, "Now?" and he replied, "Later." I explained that "later" would give me time to run home and let the dog out. (Don't panic, I'm dog-sitting until Sunday). I asked him to call me when they were meeting and he said he would.
Four hours later, I called Shane to see if he was still at school. He said that "everyone" was together and had been since around 5:00. When my friend finally called, he tried to make it my issue. Even after I reminded him that he had agreed to call when they were meeting, all he could say was, "Oh...I might have said that."
I'm upset because nobody bothered to call me. I'm upset because I waited for a call for 4 hours that never came. I'm upset because I know, without a doubt, if the shoe had been on the other foot, for ANY ONE of the people who fall into the "everyone" category, I would never hear the end of it. They would go to great lengths to remind me at every opportunity that they had been left out or forgotten about. I'm also upset because I know without a doubt that I would never let that happen. I have never let that happen. I always go out of my way to include everyone, especially my closest friends, in anything that comes along. Even though 98% of the time I know what their answer, or at least their follow through, will be, I always take the time to think about them and include them. I don't forget. And even if I don't immediately remember, I'm certainly reminded to call or invite them by others around me when they ask about a specific person. Shane and my friend are not alone tonight. In fact, I believe the "everyone" group tonight adds up to around 10 people.
So what does that say about me? That 10 people I consider friends, more than a few I consider close friends, would not even mention my name or inquire about me within a 4 hour period. Or that none of them would bother to call.
Don't get me wrong...I'm not egocentric. I know the world does not revolve around me, and I'm very glad that it doesn't. I'm not saying that I'm a better friend or that I'm a martyr. I'm not saying that in any 4 hour period, at least one of my friends must be thinking about me. That would be a little creepy and I would need to seek help. Yet I do believe that if a group of people who regularly get together and who enjoy each other's company notice that one of their number is missing; odds are that at least one of them is going to mention his name. I'm feeling very left out right now...and I think that's OK that I feel that way.
I'm the guy who finds himself doing all of the work in most of his friendships. I'm the guy who "always builds up and never tears down" the people in his life. I'm the guy who you can count on to be there for you when the chips are down. I'm the guy who won't get mad or make a scene when you've upset him.
I'm the guy who always takes it and never dishes it out.
I'm the guy in your life you can always count on for grace and mercy.
I'm the guy who is standing up for himself tonight and telling you that while all of those things may be true... you still have to consider my feelings. I deserve to be treated with the same respect and honesty that I show you. If you make a mistake or forge to call, don't ignore what's happened or put it back on me. Own up to it...take responsibility for it...apologize and mean it. That's the only way this friendship will continue.
Five minutes after nine and I'm still upset. I'm doubting the "depth" of the relationships in my life. I'm wondering why, even after explaining to my friends why I am upset, and knowing that I'm home alone...no one has called me yet.
Four hours later, I called Shane to see if he was still at school. He said that "everyone" was together and had been since around 5:00. When my friend finally called, he tried to make it my issue. Even after I reminded him that he had agreed to call when they were meeting, all he could say was, "Oh...I might have said that."
I'm upset because nobody bothered to call me. I'm upset because I waited for a call for 4 hours that never came. I'm upset because I know, without a doubt, if the shoe had been on the other foot, for ANY ONE of the people who fall into the "everyone" category, I would never hear the end of it. They would go to great lengths to remind me at every opportunity that they had been left out or forgotten about. I'm also upset because I know without a doubt that I would never let that happen. I have never let that happen. I always go out of my way to include everyone, especially my closest friends, in anything that comes along. Even though 98% of the time I know what their answer, or at least their follow through, will be, I always take the time to think about them and include them. I don't forget. And even if I don't immediately remember, I'm certainly reminded to call or invite them by others around me when they ask about a specific person. Shane and my friend are not alone tonight. In fact, I believe the "everyone" group tonight adds up to around 10 people.
So what does that say about me? That 10 people I consider friends, more than a few I consider close friends, would not even mention my name or inquire about me within a 4 hour period. Or that none of them would bother to call.
Don't get me wrong...I'm not egocentric. I know the world does not revolve around me, and I'm very glad that it doesn't. I'm not saying that I'm a better friend or that I'm a martyr. I'm not saying that in any 4 hour period, at least one of my friends must be thinking about me. That would be a little creepy and I would need to seek help. Yet I do believe that if a group of people who regularly get together and who enjoy each other's company notice that one of their number is missing; odds are that at least one of them is going to mention his name. I'm feeling very left out right now...and I think that's OK that I feel that way.
I'm the guy who finds himself doing all of the work in most of his friendships. I'm the guy who "always builds up and never tears down" the people in his life. I'm the guy who you can count on to be there for you when the chips are down. I'm the guy who won't get mad or make a scene when you've upset him.
I'm the guy who always takes it and never dishes it out.
I'm the guy in your life you can always count on for grace and mercy.
I'm the guy who is standing up for himself tonight and telling you that while all of those things may be true... you still have to consider my feelings. I deserve to be treated with the same respect and honesty that I show you. If you make a mistake or forge to call, don't ignore what's happened or put it back on me. Own up to it...take responsibility for it...apologize and mean it. That's the only way this friendship will continue.
Five minutes after nine and I'm still upset. I'm doubting the "depth" of the relationships in my life. I'm wondering why, even after explaining to my friends why I am upset, and knowing that I'm home alone...no one has called me yet.
Monday
football practice...
I'm sitting at my desk on a cold, rainy Monday wishing I had something inspiring to say....but I don't. I'm currently reading the biography of Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy titled, "Quiet Strength." It's really an amazing book about faith, principles, and practices of a life lived for Christ. Coach Dungy is a remarkable man and even if you don't like football at all, I recommend that you read the book. In fact, it's not about football but about putting God first in everything that you do. He's the kind of man I want to be.
The thing I most hope to take away from this book is the practice part. Coach Dungy says that it's the "uncommon" man who makes a difference. And to be uncommon, you have to focus on what God is calling you to do and practice toward a goal in that direction...use your faith to push you to act. I have the faith piece down pat, but I don't always put that faith into practice. I almost always take the easy way out and settle for "common" success. And to that end I'm living proof that common doesn't set you apart. I have no doubt that 99% of the people I meet like me. I also have no doubt that less than 1% of them truly respect me. I don't know that I make a difference with them...and that truly makes me sad. I should be pushing them toward Christ and his grace...but instead, I settle for letting them be common...because that's where I find myself.
I want to be able to make the hard choices when I know they are right and even when I only have my faith to back them up. I would rather fail on the side of trying than to succeed on just getting by. (If you don't really understand that last sentence, that's OK...I understand it.) I want to be a good man. I want to be a strong man. I want to be a faithful man. I want to live for Christ and stop living for myself. I want to live for Christ and stop living for success. I want to live for Christ and stop living for my friends. I want to be uncommon and I want to do it for the one whose grace has freed me.
The thing I most hope to take away from this book is the practice part. Coach Dungy says that it's the "uncommon" man who makes a difference. And to be uncommon, you have to focus on what God is calling you to do and practice toward a goal in that direction...use your faith to push you to act. I have the faith piece down pat, but I don't always put that faith into practice. I almost always take the easy way out and settle for "common" success. And to that end I'm living proof that common doesn't set you apart. I have no doubt that 99% of the people I meet like me. I also have no doubt that less than 1% of them truly respect me. I don't know that I make a difference with them...and that truly makes me sad. I should be pushing them toward Christ and his grace...but instead, I settle for letting them be common...because that's where I find myself.
I want to be able to make the hard choices when I know they are right and even when I only have my faith to back them up. I would rather fail on the side of trying than to succeed on just getting by. (If you don't really understand that last sentence, that's OK...I understand it.) I want to be a good man. I want to be a strong man. I want to be a faithful man. I want to live for Christ and stop living for myself. I want to live for Christ and stop living for success. I want to live for Christ and stop living for my friends. I want to be uncommon and I want to do it for the one whose grace has freed me.
When you do the common things of life in an uncommon way,
you will command the attention of the world.
George Washington Carver
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