“You doubt your value; don’t run from who you are.” Aslan
Growing up, I was immersed in the Chronicles of Narnia. Ideas of a different world where young John Doe’s can be Kings and Queens. A magical wardrobe opening into a world where talking badgers actually have a wonderfully quirky sense of humor. Vicariously living through characters you so desperately wished you could be. As a kid, you’re consumed by the battles and magic, unaware of the underlying meaning of a seemingly simple storyline. Even to this day, I sit here at a coffee shop, craving to grasp what it may feel like to walk through a magical wardrobe. Yet, I’m also reminded I have already done such a thing.
As I began rewatching each movie to reminisce on the stories and excitement, one character in specific was in focus. Lucy was beginning a shift from being sensitive and having child-like faith, to learning the ache of self-doubt and fear. How does one begin grasping the paradoxes within your own life? Lucy is strong, yet conflicted with the world telling her to be the opposite. She is courageous, yet the world has told her to be dainty. All I could think during this, is how often we feel the same reluctancy to love what sets us apart. We too frequently see the value in others and unable to see the very same thing within ourselves. It’s as if we are running with every ounce of endurance in our body, but our legs are standing still. The value we have, the value we are given by an almighty creator isn’t something we can run from, even when we feel as if it’s not enough. Lucy was strong in her faith, unwavering. No one quite understood her fiercely tenacious pursuit of Narnia and Aslan. I often think we feel this way as well, we feel the opposite of typical.
Whenever I doubt who I am and what I have to offer, I seek advice. I seek guidance from someone who knows more, someone who can give to me what I can’t give to myself. Time and time again the same advice is given: the opinions others have of you are worthless compared to what you see in yourself. While I can’t disagree this is good advice, my heart still yearned to for more assurance
I am told I am equal, yet I still feel as if I am lacking.
As I sit here writing this blog, I keeping asking how we can begin shifting the negative beliefs about our values, stop running, and begin standing firm in the foundation we have established? God so quietly spoke through the book “Love Does”, reminding me how falling in love with God, having a whimsical and deep love with him, sets us apart from the start.
People see us differently because we have accepted a different way of living.
People who follow God and tenaciously pursue the Lord are no longer typical. God is constantly inviting them into a new life where typical is no longer something you can understand.
I spoke on the phone last night with my father for far too long, diving into how I was lacking in different areas of my life. Let me tell you, I am a hard-headed, fierce, sometimes overbearing, tattooed, quirky, Jesus lover who doesn’t stand down for anything or anyone. Speaking about how most of these things aren’t synonymous, he began reassuring me beauty lies in my own paradox. He also reminded me how we get so caught up in our own concern for how others view us, we often forget others are hurting in the same ways.
Each person is compensating for what they crave. I want this to lift you out of the hole you have dug for yourself, if in any way you are feeling your value doesn’t equate to someone else’s. Sometimes, in our own self-loathing, we forget others are struggling to. Somehow, someway, this revelation last night freed me of some chains. Last night I was given the ability to understand how God feels when he extends grace to us. My heart yearned for those who envy other’s value and all I could think is how I can love them better. How I have been blinded to those around me struggling, because I was consumed by how I thought they viewed me. For how I viewed myself in their image. The devil is so clever in using our own thoughts to blind us from loving others better. Why do we have a competitive culture? Human’s become weak when we fear our value is being challenged.
Dear friend, I want to encourage and remind you our battles are different, thus we all have different outcomes. There is freedom in fully understanding each person truly is equal. We are all given the capacity to grow, equal opportunity to cause earthquakes in our foundations. Yet, the difference is each person’s skills and talents are different.
You love tattoos yet the world tells you guilt should be associated with them? They don’t see the man you talked with for hours about why you have them and how this conversation led to talking about Jesus.
You’re hard-headed, independent woman who listens to the beat of your own drum? You were meant to move mountains, your loudness was given to show others how to speak up.
You’re soft-spoken and shy? The world doesn’t see how you have taught so many to be patient and kind.
You feel as though you’re less of a man because of being over-emotional? You were put here to teach other men how to open up and show their vulnerability is a strength.
If we try to water down what we have to offer, how will God be able to use us to change others lives? The simple answer is he won’t.
Fill your glass with the fully-sweetened tea and let people be refreshed. If someone sips and complains you’re too sweet, or not sweet enough, remind yourself you were created to be just right. Your authenticity allows people to see a different way of life, a life without the typical. You won’t always be someone’s cup of tea, but you will still give them a glimpse of something new, something refreshing.
Are we lacking? Yes. But we’re not lacking in value, we’re lacking in what the world wants us to conform to.
We are lacking what it means to be typical. We are not lacking in value or worth.
The world’s definition of typical doesn’t satisfy my heart. Lucy walked through a wardrobe at such a young age, discovering a world of wonders and overwhelming love which altered the course of her life. I can tell you I may not have walked through a wardrobe to find such wonders, but I surely know that Christ’s whimsical, unconditional love, is quite similar to what Lucy felt in Narnia.
(A little glimpse into my blog spot today)
