Dear Friend: Become Anyway

Dear Friend, 

One of the hardest things about becoming is being misunderstood. When you’re no longer who your friends, family, or even the world is used to you being, you must prepare yourself for pushback. Yes, the pushback may be painful, but you will survive, and your future self will thank you for it. 

When I started to excel on another level, I was judged a lot (and still am). Fascinatingly, it was by observers — those individuals who didn’t know the intricacies of my life but who felt comfortable enough to share their opinions. And if I’m honest, their words got to me because I wasn’t yet sure of myself on the new level. 

Sometimes, we talk about going to the next level in tongue-in-cheek manners. We discuss it in a way that suggests that the upward climb won’t be challenging. We dream about it. We want it, but not everyone reaches their destined end. Why?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I’ve been thinking about the difficulty behind ascension and progress. I’ve been thinking about the loneliness and fear. I’ve been thinking about the criticism. The reason for this is that I get a lot of criticism online, more specifically, on YouTube. 

I think about those faceless accounts of men and women who either tell me that a woman needs to “shut up” because Paul said women cannot teach or suggest that God hasn’t directed my new content focus. I think about them a lot because their perspectives stand out, especially as it relates to Christianity. To be clear, it’s not because I think they’re right but because this arena and its people are foreign to me.

As a former academic, if we discover something in the text that we find interesting, we study and write about it. We consider it, investigate it, and then present our findings. However, in “faith” circles, that level of intellectual interest or even focus is shunned. Why? Is it because we’ve gotten away from spiritual and intellectual teaching that are direct and line by line? Is it because we are uncomfortable with new perspectives in a changing world? Is it because we feel as if we own the Bible and know everything?

It is from this line of thinking and questioning that I offer you the advice today. Friend, you have to shut out the outside criticism. You have to run your own race and let those who judge and/or critique you stay on the sidelines as you pass them by. You must complete your assignment with full conviction, as you’re the only one responsible. 

Do you think on the day of judgment, Jesus will allow you to blame others for why you did live the life He had for you? Do you think your excuses for not rising in authority will supersede the impact your decisions will have on society? Do you believe the words of the naysayers will hold weight against the command of God?

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, then I encourage you to make a decision now and stick to it. You have to find the courage to become even when others misjudge you because, to be honest, their words are as empty as the tomb Jesus left. You have to be okay with being misjudged as you're transforming. You have to rise above the chatter.

I know it’s hard. I know that sometimes their words are the loudest, but you will outlive them. 

Decide today to become anyway.

P.S. God showed me something powerful about breaking generational curses yesterday. If you missed the teaching, here's the link.