Be Careful Who You Follow

Recently, I saw a story in the news about a marathon runner that had run a long race and was in first place to win. He had a huge lead over the other runners and was sure to take the gold medal. The TV cameras had been filming him from the back of a pick up truck for several miles but when they came close to the final stretch, the pick up turned off to get out of the way. The runners were supposed to keep straight but instead the runner followed the TV camera. By the time he realized that he was going the wrong way, the other runners had passed him and he ended up in tenth place. That story taught me that I should be very careful about who I follow in life. Be sure the people leading you are heading in the right direction or else you could end up down a dead end road. Be a wise follower -- a critical thinker. Run your own race and don't let other people get you sidetracked.

Overcoming Stupidity

Dr. Maya Angelou said that we are not to be reduced by our mistakes. But still, we rise. We accept responsibility for our mistakes. We forgive ourselves. We repent to God. We sincerely apologize to whom our ineptness has caused displeasure and pray they accept it.

We have a right to decide (along with God) where our lives are headed and never let the stupidity of others lead us to a different destination. Even if we are forced to make a detour, we must let go of our failures and press toward that goal. Go around the barriers or over them or through them. But let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Chris Gardner said to his son, “Don’t ever let somebody tell you that you can’t do something, not even me. You got a dream? You’ve gotta protect it. People who can’t do something themselves want to tell you, you can’t do it either. If you want something, go get it! Period.” No settling. Period.

Still, I Rise by Maya Angelou Out of the huts of history's shame, I rise... Up from a past that's rooted in pain, I rise... I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear, I rise... Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear, I rise... Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise, I rise, I rise.

Ms. Imma Misfit

Do You Feel Like a Misfit Toy?

Once upon a time, there was a reindeer named Rudolph that was born with a bright red nose that glowed. All of the other “normal” reindeer laughed him to scorn and called him ugly names. They wouldn’t even let him join in their reindeer games. Rudolph spent most of his life as a loner. Santa had magical reindeer Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen that always pulled his sleigh full of toys on Christmas Eve when he delivered them to all the good little girls and boys around the world.

One Christmas Eve night, a very thick fog rolled in and Santa didn’t know what to do. He knew that it would be too dangerous to fly his reindeer in zero visibility fog. Mrs. Claus suggested that he ask Rudolph to lead the pack and guide the sleigh through the thick fog. Then, all the reindeer loved Rudolph. They cheered him! He was the hero of the North Pole. All the ones that had made fun of him and called him ugly names shouted out with glee. From that night on, Rudolph always led the reindeer pack on Christmas Eve.

Rudolph became the most famous reindeer in history. He had always wondered why he was born so different. He would try to hide his gift so the other reindeer wouldn’t make fun of him but it couldn’t be hidden… like a city that sits on a hill, cannot be hidden. Nobody lights a candle and puts it under a basket, but it sits on a table so that it can light the room. You were made for so much more than this… you are history in the making. Dare to be a misfit. Don’t compare yourself to other people. God can take what we see as weaknesses and use them in a big way. For it is the foolish things of the world that He uses to confound the wise. Your mis-fitness is your purpose. Embrace it.