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Rachel here...who am i? Hmmm...that's a question i never really know how to answer.
All i can say is i'm a child of God journeying through this road called life with my finest blessings - my family, friends and folks i bump into along the way.
Who i am don't matter. What does matter is that we connect and encourage each other along our different paths that lead to the same destination -
Our Father face to face!
So ewe (pronounced 'You' meaning lamb; the meaning of my name) see....it's about the little (n big) things in life that connect us to one another (unity in diversity) and bring us closer to God.
Ephesians 4:4-7
"We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.
There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all."
Make yourself at home, voice your thoughts...i'd love to hear from you!
Love n peace out!
10:10 PM
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Once every four years i find myself glued to the t.v. screen. It's one week into the olympics. Singapore's going to get a silver or gold medal after 48 years (woohoo!); Nastia Liuken continued her parents legacy, winning the gold in gymnastics, apt for her unbelievably perfect landings every time; China's leading the gold medal tally for the first time in history; and Michael Phelps is "the greatest olympian of all time" and making everyone sit at the edge of their seats as he aims for gold #8! And this is just the gist of the games!!!
Was listening to ESPN radio, and the host was asking what makes Michael Phelps so fascinating. In fact, i'm asking now...what makes any of the athletes especially the consistant winners we name one of the 'greats' so fascinating?
Now if you're a swimmer or a fan of Phelps, i guess your fascination is understandable. But if you're like me and most other folks who have no inkling of most of the sports world for the other 3 years 11 months till the Olympics...why do we get so drawn to these folks? Is it them or is it something else?
I believe it is something else. Something deeper in our being. Something perhaps that gives a hint of how we were made.
What's fascinating is that the Olympics is a open display of the human spirit - it's potential AND all it's limits. We see athletes, underdogs and champs alike, fighting real odds like time, energy and muscle power. We see their results - the list of possibilties rewritten and one more area to proclaim that "it is not impossible". We don't just see (and gasp with our mouths wide open), our souls feel a familiar tinge that everyday life tends to snuff out - that truly nothing is impossible.
Now don't get me wrong here. I haven't had such a fill of inspiration that i'm on a 'positivity' high.
Achievement is defined (in wiktionary) as: 1) The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by exertion; successful performance; accomplishment; as, the achievement of his/her object. 2) A great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor, boldness, or praiseworthy exertion; a feat.
See the repeated emphasis on 'exertion'? Exertion means work...with it comes struggling, trying, falling, failing, learning, trying again, practising, perfecting, sweating, crying.......feel like giving up already?
The case in point here is this...when you've got a calling, work at it despite all that you CANNOT do...till it becomes 'do-able'. And in between through all that frustration, criticism from others and from your very self (which i can't tell you not to do because you will) - pray, remember your calling and destination & keep working faithfully!
"...because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Now don't James (1:2-12) make our reward sweeter than a gold medal? :)
Despite the limitations of time, age, energy, avenues or opportunities, finances, stubborn fingers for pianists or guitarists, pitchings for vocalists, writer's block for writers, muscle memory for athletes and whatever else there may be - God has made us all with potential that outweigh our limits! Nothing is impossible my friend!
Enjoy my theme songs for this season (i really couldn't choose between the two!)...
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Rachel Eric, 2008.
Each of us should live a life stirring enough to start a movement...We should love unquenchably,dream unfalteringly, and work unceasingly.
- Max Lucado, On The Anvil