I have learned...

I often reflect on a statement that I made in a conversation some time ago: ...my life is not my own! I don't live just for me.
It was intentionally stated, but I don't know that I really gave consideration to the power behind it. The statement was made in response to a compliment paid of my being a "good example" for some younger kids at my church. "They really look up to you" she says, and I humbly smiled.


I hear it often, and though the compliment is still greatly appreciated, I don't always feel that its deserved. It's not that I haven't made my best effort to live a morally decent and Spiritually driven life (capital 'S' intented), I just know my shortcomings.

Now if I may be completely honest, the example that I aim to set is modeled after the example that I rarely saw as a child. I merely used what I observed of my male figure-head "examples" and have done the opposite. I never forgot that conversation I sat in on as my cousins discussed their displeasure with the "fathers" in our family. That's not to suggest that it was all bad, but displeasure remains displeasue none the less. So with that, I ran.

By no means do I propose that we live for the approval of men, but it does bring us back to the topic of discussion: our lives are not our own! All that we do, whether in word or in deed, must be done in the name of Christ and to the glory of God. We then must realize that we are here for one another. I came to realize early - must have been a revelation of God - that we all are connected to the people we are for a very specific reason. You may not always understand the role you play in someone else's life, but even the sheer affinity that one shares for you is indicative of the fact that YOU MEAN SOMETHING TO THEM! Even if that person's intentions are to use you for their benefit, they're using you because you're valuable to their attaining their selfish desires (but that's for another note). With that, one must give consideration to their connection and attachment to those persons in their lives.

Questions such as why did we meet? Am I supposed to learn something from this individual or situation? Am I supposed to teach them something? and numerous others may be asked. In the event that you do play the role of influence, you must then question whether your influence is helpful or harmful - positive or negative.

If a group of children were to have a conversation about you, will they express displeasure or sing your praise? Think about it. You're not here for just you.