Blog 37 – 5.27.15

I read a book many years ago called In His Steps and the premise of the book was that we would live fuller, better, bigger lives if before we acted we would stop a moment and consider the question, What Would Jesus Do? and then do just that.

Those of you who are following my blog know by now of my slightly askew way of looking at things. I, for most of my life, tried to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. I say tried because I was never able to pull it off at least not for very long at a time. Most of the time I was just acting, being a hypocrite. But somewhere along the line after I quit trying to be someone else I figured out that was never the first and best plan for my life.

Sweet and simple Forest Gump was asked by the great love of his life, Jenny, when they were in college, “Forest, what are you going to be after college.” And Forest, in his simple but profound wisdom said, “Aren’t I going to be me.” My friends the highest and best you can aspire to be is to be the highest and best you.

Our dear departed Whitney Houston once sang:

Everybody’s looking for a hero
But I never found anyone to fulfill my need
So I learned to depend on me.

You are a unique and magnificent being. There has never been nor will there ever be another exactly like you. No one else can play the role you were meant to play, the starring role in the off Broadway production, at least for now, of your life. Many of the great comedians and actors started out as mimics, impersonators, Don’t we all. But before they became truly successful they had to find their own voice, their own character.

Isn’t it time you quit playing a role too small for you. One of Jesus’ great lines that I often quote is the words to his disciple toward the end of his play when he referred to them not as followers but friends. He said, “Greater works than I have done you will do.” The time for being understudies is passed it is time for you to be the star you were always meant to be. Ask yourself What Is The Highest, The Best, I Can Do? And give it all you’ve got and trust me that is a lot.

Your Fellow Traveler,
David White