“Jesus entered into the very world he created, yet the world was unaware. He came to the very people he created---those who should have recognized him, but they did not receive him.” John 1:10,11
"Anyone can find the dirt in someone. Be the one who finds the gold". Proverbs 11:27
With the 2023/24 football season soon coming to a close, my family is cheering wildly for the Detroit Lions! After over 30 years of disappointing season after disappointing season, we are finally in a the divisional playoffs. Jared Goff, the talented quarterback, has been remarkable. However, talent only took him so far. He needed a coach like Dan Campbell to breathe confidence and life back into him.
My son, Michael Bennett, had a great career with the Georgia Bulldogs a few years back, yet it was not without a lot of people around him, helping him silence the voices of disrespect, and helping him trust in his athletic ability.
Not only do football teams and players suffer, the entire world suffers when humans don’t believe in themselves. And we find it very difficult to believe in ourselves when those closest to us--partners, parents, coaches, supervisors, colleagues-- do not draw out our potential, see and name our value.
Jesus felt this disrespect, too. People in his day were unaware of who He really was. They didn’t recognize his true self or true identity. They thought he was just another guy from Nowhere Nazareth. Yet He pushed through and built His life around practices that grew his awareness of the Father’s affection for Him. Jesus was OK with the world being unaware of who He was…as long as He heard the voice and felt the smile and pleasure of His Father. (Matt 3:17)
Paul also names this human condition of being unaware of the gold in people—" I have no one else like him (Timothy) who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Phil 2:20
· What areas of my life do I need to grow more secure in God’s love for me?
· Will I be vulnerable enough to ask for what I need?
· Who in my life can I build up? Linger longer with. Name the gold?
What a gift we give to the world when we do the inner work needed, push back on the critical voices within and without, and stand confident in bringing our best selves to the field of life!