This morning was so nice and cool, I had to go for a run. But I am so bored of my normal routes so I decided to be adventurous and wing it instead. Before long I noticed fresh white spray painted arrows on the road and, "5K Race" denoted. I didn't think much about it, and keep chugging along. I came to an intersection and there again, another directional arrow, so fresh, in fact, that the air was saturated with the obscene scent of paint from an aerosol can. That arrow was pointing up a big long hill that loops back around and that was the way I was heading (a glutton for punishment.) It became obvious that Dallastown was preparing for a road race and had just marked the route for the runners.
"Man, I wish I could run in a real race. But, who am I kidding, I can't run," was the thought in my mind as the arrows passed below my feet approximately every 50 yards.
That's when God spoke up and said, "ah...what are you doing right now, young lady? I believe I call this running." I replied (all in my head of course, I live in this area and don't want to be known as the barely-can-run woman who talks to herself), "yeah, technically, I am running. But I am not good enough to run in a race. How embarrassing it would be to run with real runners, people who could leave me in the dust! No thank you - I don't need that humiliation."
It was in that moment that a huge metaphor appeared and landed on my mind. I say I can't run because I compare myself to others. But the truth of the matter is, I can run, in my own slow and interesting style. A style that God gave me and I shouldn't look at myself negatively because I'm different from "them." Okay, now for the metaphor ~ it's easy for me to say, "I can't paint, I mean look at that person's work - it's amazing!" Again, that comparing thing. I'm not so sure God likes when we negatively compare our abilities with other people's especially when it impedes us from trying or pursuing something of interest.
From the sentence above, remove the word paint from the statement, "I can't _______," so, what word would you put in there? What is it that you always compare yourself to others and then say you can't do it? Maybe it's to cook, decorate your living room, write the novel that has been drifting in your mind for years, learn stained glass work, create a garden-scape, solve a problem at work with a creative solution, etc.
What would it look like if you didn't compare yourself with others and instead, saw your abilities and gifts through Jesus' eyes? I bet He'd say, "nice job. I love what you have done, it's beautiful." How would your life be different if comparing didn't hold you back from doing what you like or feel lead to do?
So, I wonder when that road race is in Dallastown.....? :-)
grace & peace on the journey...
Jul 3, 2008
comparing
Posted by deAnn Roe at 10:21 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
I had a friend in high school, who could draw. He was born to draw. All he needed, for inspiration was: 1. something that left a mark, & 2. a blank space [to leave a mark on].
He had his own “font” & everything. A gal from his youth group “misspoke” his name once, & it came out “Spot”. He RAN with it. He’d sign stuff to me “Spot, the finely groomed mutt”. He was like you [that is to say disgustingly talented]. He could cook [went to culinary school], play Saxophone, & draw. He handed in his home work with Spot written in the old sixties “hippie” lettering at the top. I’ve gotten letters from him where he drew on the envelope!
So, right about now your wondering why this is a comment about your blog post.
Because he would draw, on a single piece of paper for hours. Only to crumble it up & throw it in the trash can at the end of class [you always new the new teachers by their reaction to Scott, & his drawing. “are you paying attention?!? What did I JUST say! & he would repeat –word for word- the last 15 minutes of the lecture. Then lean over, & resume drawing]. Well, when he threw them out I’d ask: “why’d you do THAT?”
And he’d say “it sucks. it’s ugly –it’s fugly [separate that the right way, & you’ll know what 2 words are being put together] the person’s head is wrong, or the tires are too big, or the dreadlocks don’t look right [too “poofy” or big]. I reached into the trash can & pulled every one back out. “I like it. And don’t put them in the trash anymore, give them to ME. I love that you can draw, I think it’s cool. Every one you draw has a bit of “you” in it. And that’s awesome/amazing/wonderful. You inspire me to draw. I enjoy watching you draw. Neither you, nor your drawings are trash. …I know some people close to you treat you like trash… but I think they are fools.”
He seemed to draw more than ever after that conversation, & I still have most of the drawings [my sister-in-law lost the one on a blank tape insert he made for me. He drew on the tape & the insert. He was a Deadhead, gave me a copy –that I later got the disc of- of “Spaces” by The Dead called: Infrared Roses. I love improv.]
I guess we all need to realize that Jesus says the same things I said to Spot, to all of us. "Don't throw your giftedness out [or yourself]. I want you. I think you're beautiful/wonderful/a piece of priceless art, that my dad made. [and He doesn't do "reprints"]
Post a Comment