It is Ok to be You - Right Where You Are…

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Romans 8:25

As always, I need to be honest with you. I have struggled so much trying to get this post together. First, the words would not come and then, there were too many words. I have written and rewritten it many times. I had my “editor” read it and she had the same opinion. It just did not sound like me.

Initially, I was going to mention the dream that I had about this game called Parking Wars. I was going to elaborate on the details of the dream and the frustrations I experienced trying to get out of the parking lot. Ultimately, all you really need to understand is the object of the game. The goal is to move each car out of the lot. Some levels are timed, and some levels have a specific car that must be moved out within a specified number of moves. The game takes strategy, timing, and patience. You must watch for the small details like the gate that opens and closes or the spacing between barriers. If you move too soon, you will crash into the gates. If you misjudge the spacing, you will hit the barrier or another car. It’s fun when you can get out of the parking lot without getting hit or taking unnecessary moves, but it takes awareness of the entire space and a bit of patience.

I felt like I was playing a real version of this game trying to write this message, but it wasn’t cars in my way. It was distractions, agendas, to-dos, and mostly expectations - not mine but those of others. I was trying to force something more upon myself than necessary. All I needed to do was slow down a bit and pay attention to what I wanted to say and remember the original objective. It finally hit me. I was trying so hard to “push” my development into becoming a better writer before I acclimated to where I was. Once I stopped to make my assessment, the lesson for me was to just be right where I am and do what I originally set out to do. My goal has been and will always be to share bits and pieces of my testimony and point you to Christ so that you may victoriously overcome the challenges that may arise in your life. There is no need to rush or embellish the simple. Encouraging others to continue the race is not about how good I look doing it. It’s about the sincerity and commitment of my heart to stay diligent and true. I don’t have to be as eloquent as the other person. I only need to be a willing vessel that can be used by God. I was putting so much pressure on myself to be “great” that I was missing the small details and the basic points to be shared.

My goal today is to let you know that it’s ok to be just where you are and who you are. There is no need to blast your way through the Parking Wars of life to get to the next thing. Sometimes, it is good for us to sit in our own space and consider where we are before backing out of our space because there may be issues (or obstacles) that need to be cleared out of our path so that we can continue our journey. Your issues may be vastly different than mine, but as we begin to tackle them, we learn that they are not barricades like we thought. They are the building blocks that are forming the foundation of our development.

If we are so eager to move them out of our way, we miss adding to the person we were meant to be. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are the called according to HIS purpose” (NKJV). When we can finally accept that all these things are a part of our story and make us who we are, we can take our time, address each one, and mortar them into place. In doing so, we become stronger and are more prepared when we finally exit the wilderness and enter our promised place. The place that God has promised each of us just as He did Abraham and the Israelites in the Old Testament.

We were each designed to be unique – personality, looks, attitude – with our own set of challenges that are suited to the uniqueness of our personas. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well”. (NKJV) Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” (NKJV) There is no need for us to try to push ourselves to some standard of greatness just to be like others. We are enough and we have been fully equipped to be exactly who and what He made us to be.

As for me, if I can stay focused on the current mission in front of me and take one step, one post, or one person at a time; I will eventually grow into the writer I believe I can become – a writer that God can use to encourage His people. I need to remember that a house with a solid foundation is built brick by brick and usually involves many helpers. There is no rushing the process and likewise, there is no rushing to get where I am going. I could miss the lessons and opportunities for development by pushing through and not asking for help when it is needed. If I steady myself and be patient, the rest will gradually come, and I will be prepared for my destiny.

I encourage you to stand firm and survey your parking lot. Consider your strategy for dealing with all the cars blocking your way to the exit. Will you need some help from a family member or friend? Will you need the help of a professional or clergy? There is no shame in asking for help if necessary. If no one else, we can always ask the Father.

Psalm 34:6-8 says, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him”. (NKJV)

Please remember…It’s ok to be You- Right Where You Are.

The Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for making each of us for a unique purpose in Your kingdom. Your wisdom far excels our imagination. You have skillfully equipped each of us and filled us with Your Spirit that continues to do a work in us to guide us to our appointed destiny. Father, help us to not fall prey to the devices of the enemy which distract us and cause us to doubt that we are enough. Help us, Lord, to approach each challenge we face with boldness and seek Your strength. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Worship in Song