Stepping into my new role as a squad leader has brought so much good.
And joy.
And fun.
And love.
And purpose.
It has also brought so much challenge.
And responsibility.
And trust.
And uncertainty.
I am rightfully held to a higher standard.
I have expectations that I have to meet as a leader that weren’t present before.
I carry the weight that if I mess up, it doesn’t just affect me.
My mistakes are no longer my own.
And that’s scary.
But it’s also empowering.
It makes me pay attention to what I say.
It makes me think before I act.
It requires that I am fully operating from a place of authenticity.
It pushes me to be a better me.
I’ve already had to ask for forgiveness.
But that’s allowed me to watch others forgive.
I’ve had to let go of the “should’s” and “supposed to’s” in order to operate out of my strengths.
Which has allowed me to encourage others to walk in theirs.
But this blog isn’t about squad leading.
It’s about Paris.
France. Europe. The United States.
The Western World in general.
We’ve spent the month working with immigrants to this country.
Refugees.
Prostitutes.
People who have traveled long distances and lived hard journeys.
People who have been told that Europe is the dream.
Get there, and everything will be better.
Because that should be truth.
Europe and The U.S. have been given a place of leadership.
The world looks to us with high expectations.
We have what people want.
Are we stewarding that well?
Do we realize that people are always watching?
Do we understand that our decisions affect more than those in our immediate vicinity?
Do we know how powerful our choices are?
How much we can speak life or death into a person’s identity?
Everyone I have met here has said they traveled for months or years trying to get to Europe, because they will have a better opportunity for themselves and their families.
[They leave their families behind, by the way]
That sounds a lot like the American Dream to me.
That sounds a lot like what we as a nation stand for.
Why are we so reluctant to share it?
One man I met said he was waiting for the people of France to welcome him to his new home.
Instead, he was met with a cold sidewalk to sleep on.
He was greeted by police officers with shields and rifles.
He was welcomed with rejection.
With a feeling of “you’re not wanted here.”
WHAT KIND OF A LEADER DOES THAT TO PEOPLE?
The refugee crisis here is tragic.
It’s inhumane.
We have turned PEOPLE into a PROBLEM.
And that is NOT okay.
People come to us looking for love, security, and a home.
Values that aren’t unfamiliar to us.
But we tell them they can maybe have a tent under a bridge.
At least until we consider maybe processing their paperwork.
Or kick them out.
Or arrest them.
What kind of standard are we holding ourselves to?
Do we realize the weight of responsibility that being a world leader carries?
Will we be brave enough to step into that responsibility and choose to lead and love others well?
Through this squad, I’m learning that it’s not easy.
But it is so, so good.
This is Mohammed. When he took this selfie of us, he told me to show it to people and share his story.
I think I found my people.
I get to tell them how cool they are every day.
This is the team I’ll be hanging out with this week.
Team Authentic Love.
Pray for love, unity, and growth in their community please!
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Click the “DONATE” button on the top of the page to help me continue leading this wonderful squad of men and women!!
Thank you!!
