Monday, November 26, 2012

We Are All Called to Greatness

(November 23, 2012)
There have been a few recurring themes popping up in my life lately. The main ones are: God calling me to greatness and leadership, and fear of failure. Huh? If you noticed the same thing I did, you realized that these two themes do not exactly promote one another.

For the longest time, even in the midst of leadership roles, I have fallen to believing that I was not good enough or worthy to hold such a position. I was always honored by the selection made by my peers, but the internal belief in my own heart that I am here for a purpose - to do something great for this world, and to lead and inspire other men to do something great as well - had never really taken a hold of me. Recent events are leading me to internalize this call to greatness more and more and...the fear of failure, while honestly still present, is beginning to lose its grasp.

First, having shared some of my leadership roles of the past with the community of men I live with now, one man in particular has reminded me that those roles don't just get handed out to anybody. The most significant was my term as President of my fraternity. Now, I will say here that I get really uncomfortable talking about myself because I never want to come off as arrogant or as building up my own ego. However, what I have come to realize is that this has caused me to downplay some of my achievements as routine. I don't think that I completely ignored my gifts, however, the fear of failure that I mentioned has been subconsciously impeding me from being fully aware of and embracing those gifts because that would mean I would have to take on the responsibility of using them, which in turn would mean taking a risk of failing. The responsibility is not what scares me, rather, the idea that whatever I do won't be enough to get the job done. Here is where the reminders come into play. Others in the past have seen something in me that inspires them. Like I said, I don't want to "toot my own horn" but I do want to express true humility in recognizing the gifts that God has given me and use them to the best of my ability to glorify Him. I have an ability to inspire others. Having identified that, the next step is how will I utilize that gift for the betterment of the world of men around me?

Next, I have been recognizing more and more the heavy investment of my superiors in my team and, for the purpose of this note, in myself. They also see someone who is worth investing in. Otherwise, why would they bother with their precious time sharing experience and knowledge that would be better suited elsewhere? God has given me something that I have got to learn how to wield. The attacks on humanity are relentless: abortion, poverty, murder, sex trafficking, pornography, depression, physical ailments, war...the list goes on. I want to solve all of the problems of the world. Don't we all. But the fact of the matter is that the task is WAY too big for any one person on his/her own. And, as we are many parts, my strengths are not going to be best suited for some (most) of these issues. Sure, I could absolutely apply them in all of these areas of need, and good work would be accomplished. But I ask myself, "Where is the BEST use of my time and gifts"? That question is still in the air for further discernment. My superiors are teaching me many practical skills to succeed in wherever it is that that question leads me. Not only to play some small role, but to LEAD and INSPIRE others in a mission to change the world in some way.

This one is a little on the abstract side because anybody could have been watching the movie and heard the same lines from this scene. But I don't believe in coincidences because I think that every event has its purpose; whether we pay attention to more than its surface-level meaning or not is another thing. Anyway, I was channel surfing one night - with all of this "call to greatness," "leadership," "inspiration," and "fisher of men" business hot on my mind when I came across the Chronicles of Narnia. I never read the books. Saw one of the movies. I'm no crazed fan or anything, but for some reason, I stopped. All of the creatures were gathered around one man (I don't even actually know the character's name) as a great battle was coming upon them soon. They all looked to him. They said they would go to battle...if HE would lead them. Who is waiting for me to step up? Who will I lead?

Recognition of a call to greatness, for me and hopefully for all who hear that call, should not become a power-thirsty aspiration for vain glory. I know better than to be a prideful leader, although I am not naive to the objective temptation to gloat when a leadership role is taken. Temptations will certainly arise to say, “Look at everything that I am doing.” No. Look at everything that GOD is doing through me by inspiring me and giving life to my gifts. Yes, I am acting on that inspiration and seeking those areas where I can serve, but none of it is possible without the Great Musician. Make me an instrument.

As I am writing this out, it came to my mind that the purpose of my sharing this note with others is one in the same as the gift that I have come to recognize in myself. INSPIRE. My aim for including YOU is not to gloat about this newly discovered gift of mine; rather, it is to encourage YOU in your own call to greatness. Your unique gifts are waiting within you, waiting to be recognized, waiting to be utilized and put into action to do “something beautiful for God.” St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” My prayer for all of you is that you can spread like a wildfire by allowing God to work in incredible ways through you; ways that you never even thought imaginable.

Glorify God in everything that you think, say, and do. Set the world on FIRE!!!