Lessons learned from The Lion King

Sometimes I hate inspiration. It comes at the trickiest of times, it comes when I least expect it, and today it has decided to come at 2:01 A.M. and I can not ignore it.

While journaling, (yes I journal AND blog, I have to have some type of privacy) I decide to read back through some of my notes I have made throughout the past year. I was struck by a comment I wrote during a sermon delivered by Eric Thonnes during Spiritual Renewal week spring of my Senior year.

One, Eric Thonnes is a baller. Two, he was discussing Depending on Christ through Ephesians 1:3-5, 2:1-10, however it is an analogy he used that jumped off the page.

I simply wrote, "Simba, remember who you are."

For those of you who don't know what I am referring to. Close this page, get in your car and drive to the most convenient video rental facility and pick up the movie The Lion King. Embrace how awesome it is, and enjoy being caught up with the rest of the world.

Anyways...

Lately, I have looked at my reflection in the mirror and not really known who is looking back at me. For the disney freaks reading this, I should put a clever little pun about the power ballad in Mulan with a similar theme...but I'll choose to pass.

Don't get me wrong, I like parts of me. But, I look at myself and see fingerprints of the PEOPLE that have impacted my life. All great people, but the fact of the matter is there people. People are screwed up. Even more importantly, I have noticed a fingerprint that is missing, Christ's.

This kind of scared me. Have I fallen into the all to common trap of Christian Culture to seek counsel below before/without seeking counsel above? Unfortunately, I think that I have.

So, it's time to remember who I am, a child of the King, just like the problem Simba faced in the movie.  His crisis of confidence and identity almost cost him his rightful place on the thrown. He was a child of the King, and so am I.  

The good thing about fingerprints is they aren't always permanent. I can easily wipe the bad one's off and maintain the good one's. Most importantly, it's letting the fingerprint that matter's most,  prominent and  permanent. 

The Way I see It

Some people say that everything happens for a reason. Every tiny detail of our lives are planned down to the exact moment, and everything that happens will have an impact on the rest of your life. Well, today a sudden urge for a Chai Latte has done just that.

Let me explain.

Starbucks and their delicious overpriced beverages has a huge hook in me and my wallet. While reading today I had the sudden urge for Chai, and when the urge for Chai comes you do not ignore it. So upon receiving my beverage I urgently read my cup. Starbucks' "The Way I See It" adds on their cups is genius, I usually laugh or have a quick passing thought about everything I read. However, Keith Olbermann's words have stirred my thoughts so much that I have decided to share with you, the Blogosphere. (One of my Top 5 favorite words ever used by Randy Gruendyke,little fyi)

The Way I See It  #17 says the following

"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no"--they may not be smart enough to say "yes."

-Keith Olbermann Broadcast Journalist and Host of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann, former sportscenter anchor

Who knew a former sportscenter anchor could be so profound?

I know, I know, you may be thinking "Baggett, people have been telling you your whole life not to worry about rejection." Okay, to those who are not impressed by Olbermann's quote I suggest these two things. 

First, most people who struggle with rejection (myself included), will probably always struggle with it, so it may take constant reminder until something clicks. Second, and more importantly, I have never heard rejection framed in such a way as it being someone else's mistake. When rejected, I often wonder why it didn't work, what I am supposed to learn from it, never have I ever thought someone was dumb enough to say no to me.

The other part about getting this cup that struck me was it's tie in to a verse I've had in my thoughts lately.

"Walk in a manner worth of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3

The first part of this passage strikes me the most. We all have been called to something greater then ourselves and more importantly we are supposed to respond as such. Satan likes to use rejection as a hindrance in so many people's lives and its crucial that Christians are aware of it and are ready to look past it.

In the end, all that really matters is not how I see things, it's how God has laid things out for me...who knew it would take a Chai Latte and a Keith Olbermann quote for me to see it that way.