Have you ever stopped to think about the gift of being terrible at something? I guess that you haven’t. Well, I have. In fact, I have been celebrating my poor skills all week. Now, you might think that is pretty strange, but I tell you the truth - being terrible at things can be one of the greatest gifts of your life.
As many of you know, our ministry Wonderful Works, will be undergoing some big changes this year as we expand our organization. This means, that we have to start growing in areas that are new, stretching, and some of which are outside my skill set. As a leader, this can feel scary and defeating, but as a Christ-follower, it can actually feel exciting and freeing - but only if we choose to believe that what the Bible says is true.
1 Cor 12:27 says: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I have read that verse about a billion times before. But, it wasn’t until now, when I found myself texting person after person after person who was more talented than me and asking them for help, that I realized the deeper meaning of this verse. It means not only is the body of Christ made up of many people, but our own personal life’s mission can only be accomplished when we rely on others too. And that can sometimes feel really hard.
But as comforting as it can feel in the moment, when we hang on too tightly to things we need to let others carry, in the end we will create darkness where light should be shining if we do. That is because, where we are each designed to be dim, God has designed someone else to be brilliant. And if we don’t invite them out of the shadows, then the whole world will miss out on their glow. Which is why I have been so grateful to be terrible at so many things this week. Because, for each lack of skill that I have, a new person was invited in to shine.
So to each of you who I have called, emailed, texted, or hollered at from across the room for help - thank you. And to each of you who I haven't talked to yet, thank you in advance because there is room for all of us in this mission. And to each and every one of you - I see your shine. You are glowing. And that is a gift for everyone.
What are you terrible at? And why is that something to celebrate?