Over the course of this month we've delved into what it means to harness your belief, widen your perspective, and face struggle with a head held high.
On last week I mentioned that a year ago I wondered #whoAmI and #whereDoIStand. The answer to the former starts now, in 3...2...1...
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,
just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
It was June 1, 2012. I longed to be home. So much had transpired; tired as ever.
Got into work and checked my email. My team lead says that there's some video one of his former colleagues did. He had a discussion with a group of interns about what the President's responsibilities are and questioned them on how they'd respond given certain situations/circumstances. I thought it'd be kewl to check it out:
1) This was my last day before I'd return much later in August to "start all over again"
2) It's title was, "If I were President..."
The title was all I needed [to read]; it's a wrap.
...
One of the greatest experiences in the world is to come to a better understanding of who you were created to be. It's an abundantly joyful feeling to wake up everyday knowing that you not only "get" who you are, but that you also are taking the appropriate steps to ensure that you fulfill your tasks during your time on earth. For me I am a firm believer that we all have something to contribute during our lives. We all have various gifts and talents, some more than others. We're not all called to be teachers, administrators, business persons, and/or computer tech people. Despite what they told you the greatest thing which you can become is not a doctor or a lawyer; no, it is yourself. Too many people have been failed by not being who they were created to be because they spent too much time trying to be someone that they weren't.
There are many people who deserve blame when folks don't live up to their God-given potential. The individual for sure, their parents, mentors, teachers, pastors, and anyone else who had some type of influence on them. It's not unheard of for parents to compare one of their children to another while failing to realize that they are completely different people. I'm pretty smooth when it comes to math, my brother on the other hand can't stand it. He's interested in business, I'd like to be in business and I'm not too interested in everything that goes with running one because I've come to understand my limitations, strengths, and thresholds.
A year ago around this time I came to acknowledge that which had been so ever present before me up to this time. God was calling me to be a POTUS, the POTUS at some point in my life. Now, at first glance one might presume that this automatically equates to being the President of the United States, and it very well may be the case. What are some other "P" occupations?
- Plumber
- Pediatrician
- Philanthropist
- Paralegal
- Politician
- Prophet
- Parent
- Priest
- Paramedic
- Professor
- Psychologist
- Pastor
And the list goes on...but can one really do all of these things in a position with relation to the United States as a whole? In some cases, such as politician, prophet, priest, professor, and pastor this might very well be possible; however, in my mind it seems that president is the best and only fit.
What is it exactly that I am saying? I am saying that God has called me to be President of the United States. I know that seems a little presumptuous, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I've been doing a lot of reading recently to include topics such as culture making, and embracing one's God-given potential. I have witnessed what it looks like when people truly find out what their gifts and talents are, embrace them, and allow themselves to be led by that which God (and the universe) is telling them in response to their acceptance of this fact. It's funny being a quasi-engineer how often we'll look down on the artists. The fact of the matter is, we need them too! Art helps me to appreciate life in ways I never would've thought possible. It gets me away from the structured and methodical nature of technology and science.
In the book of Luke chapter 12 and the 48th verse, Jesus says, "To whom much is given, much is required and to whom much is entrusted, much more will be expected. (paraphrased)" This comes from a parable of the faithful servant, one who does what his master requires and expects of him in proportion to what he has been given, so that when his master returns he might be made responsible for everything his master owns.
So, where does this idea of being a President come from anyway? Well, it all started in a little country town in North Florida. I was 18 years old and having been an AmeriCorps member for some time in Jacksonville, I came to realize how much I could impact the city, namely by running for the office of Mayor. Now, we had not had a black mayor up until this point. It was 2006 and I was recently out of highschool for about a year or so. I was able to network and make connections through my AmeriCorps experience with many civic organizations and leaders. To put it lightly, I was having somewhat of an "Obama" effect in my own hometown. I do believe I could've won the position in an election had I ran, but was that what God wanted for me at the time? This was a question I didn't have a full answer to so I stayed in place continuing with what I knew to do at the time (i.e. Further my education).
I've always been big on continuous learning and strengthening weaknesses, coming to what Gordon T. Smith calls a "self-knowledge" in his book Courage & Calling. There's a difference between self-knowledge and trying to attain some sort of self-actualization. In the process of self-actualization it is more of a selfish ambition, whereas in gaining self-knowledge, hopefully you use this to impact and direct your work with others.
SN: I've enjoyed this book so much that I'm thinking of buying multiple copies just to give or loan out to people.
After finishing my degree I am in the process of GEREing up. I've been given, entrusted, met requirements and expectations; now it's time to act! Trust me when I say coming to the realization of who I am and who I'm called to be sounds crazy even for me. After hearing it for so long and having others say it to me (which you must be careful to understand whether they are affirming or suggesting), it seemed about time that I own up to it. "That's crazy, but that's God." I mean, who am I really? Just some country boy who likes to learn and help others. A naive young man who continues to trust in God and whatever it is that he has planned. In looking back on my taste to be mayor, perhaps my expectations were too small #narrowMind. They say, "If your dreams don't scare you, you aren't dreaming big enough." Well, it's enough to get me "fired up" [and let me tell you, during the end of Spring 2012, I was scared].
I have a good friend of mine who I've known since the Fall of 2011. He was in a program that brought him to CMU to study in my department. We had worked together previously and hand't known it. During one of our heart to hearts, I told him what was on mine. His response, "You have political aspirations..." Some people call it politics, I call it service. (My two terms as an AmeriCorps is no different in my eyes than being the top lawmaker in the country; it's about everyone but you.) Indeed that is what it is to be, whether or not those in the positions treat it as such is a different story. For the record I believe that many who hold political office do so as a form of service and the media tends to overshadow how much they are doing (and trying to do).
This idea of service brings two thoughts to mind:
- If any among you wants to be great [e.g. a leader] they must serve (Matthew 20:26-27)
- Anyone can be great because anyone can serve (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Here's the wrap-up:
"All I wanted was Jacksonville..."
As I mentioned I was involved in a number of civic organizations in Jacksonville, FL. From time to time when I go back as an alumnus I help out where I can. I was in conversation with a former classmate of mine who was now getting involved in the organizations. We talked at the opening retreat for her class and shared some things. I shared with her my (former) desire to be Mayor of Jacksonville. At this time we had voted in our first black mayor. She mentioned that I can still be mayor. There's plenty of truth to this; here obedience is the question. When God calls you to something would you "settle" for less and be disobedient because of what you originally wanted?
I don't know about you, but after these last 3 years. After the loves which have come and gone. After the sleep, suffering, and staggering towards this degree...I'm ready to live.
........
There will be other entries centered on vocation, calling, and reaching your God-given potential in the near future. This was just one example of what can happen when you become in tune with who you are. I pray that if you don't know you come to find out soon.
Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
- What are your gifts and talents (i.e. What are you good at without much effort)?
- How have you affirmed the God-given potential in those around you?
- When will you acknowledge that what you're currently doing might not be "for" you?
In case you need it
Making of Ready to Live
Ready to Live (Duane McLaughlin)
