Do you ever get tangled up in it’s net?
I would like to say “no” but I rarely can beat it’s trap.
This week I am auditioning for a large fitness chain’s group exercise team. I’m not nervous about the actual audition. I’m more nervous about how I’m going to look! I even went to Kohl’s today to get a new workout outfit. One that’s ALL black and will help me look less curvy!
I’m nervous that I’ll be the oldest person trying out (at the ripe old age of 35ish). I’m really self conscious about my less than toned arms and buttocks. But, I know I can blow them away with the actual audition. Yet, where have I been spending my time? At Kohl’s and in the mirror. ugh.
My pastor spoke yesterday morning on a Biblical hero – Gideon. Gideon wasn’t the bravest soul, in fact, he was pretty pathetic. The account of Gideon asking for a sign from God is quite humorous. The hero in Gideon is found in his following of the Lord. God is the one who delivered a mighty victory through Gideon and his scaled down army.
Judges 7:2 (NIV): The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her…”
What struck me most about the sermon was not the relatable character in Gideon or the awesome work God did through his servant. Rather, it was my pastor’s closing remarks. He noted it would be easy for him to encourage us to go out and be modern day Gideons. But, often, we don’t even have the strength that our pathetic friend Gideon had.
Then God spoke to me and said Shane, stop comparing yourself with My people. I’ve given some to be strong, some to be weak. Some to be large group leaders and others to be leaders in their home. Just follow my plan for your life – that’s where peace is found. Sit with Me. Be still in my presence. Quiet yourself long enough to hear Me speak. You’ll find that I AM enough. I AM all you need.
Where do you find your soul today?
Oh Shane, don’t we all get into the compare snare?! Not only with our looks but everything. Am I as good a parent, am I as good a spouse or how about am I as good a christian? I was laying awake for hours last night “worrying” and kept talking with God about his plan and how I know in my heart he has a plan for all my loved ones and that he has it in control. As soon as I got my head on track I could finally fall asleep, of course way too late but it did bring comfort. Good luck on your audition. You will blow them away!
Thank you so much Shane for sharing your thoughts! This is just what I needed this morning. I want to copy your last paragraph and post it on my computer desktop today, (but I think it might look funny to some of my co-workers…) It’s so true that it’s a compare snare. I’m heartened that I’m not the only woman feeling this way lately. It helped to read about your experience.
Now, go out and get ‘em! You’re going to be GREAT!
p.s. Just re=read the part about not boasting in our own strength…I need to meditate on that and although it sounds like that’s what I was encouraging you to do, I want you to trust in God and let Him fight the battle. I remember you in college and your exuberant spirit in cheerleading. I think that’s why I have faith in your ability in your audition, I’ve seen what you can do! But trust in the Lord always, first and foremost. Thanks again for the reminder!
My soul is a mess these days – beyond pathetic. I’m so glad I was called to read your blog today. Slowly trying to work my way back… Knock ‘em dead at the audition. All the other 35ish gals out there would LOVE to see you leading them to fitness!
Shane, thank you for sharing your thoughts about comparing ourselves to others. my pitfall is comparing myself to Jesus and knowing i fall so short i freeze and don’t do anything because i know i’ll fail. I forgot God’s grace. He enables me. Oh! totally forgot that it’s for His glory. How shortsighted, huh? So glad i was prompted to read your blog today, the morning after i was asking God what He would have me do in His kingdom. Now I know to go forward because He is ahead of me. How awesome of Him!
p.s. praying your audition will be amazing as you shine for Him!
We wish Shane would return to us in Palatine. The Breakfast recently reminisced about you. Remember the gal with all the perfume in cycle? You made too class announcements about lack of fragrance and then had to talk to her personally.
the last ‘jenniwolowiec’ comment was my mom haha! i totally get what you’re saying. i’ve been working at a day camp all this week and there are other girls there that are tall, thin and totally in the shape i wish i could be. i walk around hoping that my flabby stomach isn’t visible or that my legs don’t jiggle when i walk….it’s awful. but realizing that God loves ME for who I AM and nothing more or less, well that’s truly a comfort. GOOD LUCK! :)
Well, how did it go? I’ve never heard of trying out for a fitness team. Gracious, that’s pressure. I’ll just stick to back roads running in isolation! Safer that way…
I’ve spent a lot of my life comparing myself to others. One of the gifts of getting older (at least for me) is that I’ve broken free from most of that and just enjoy being who I am. That doesn’t mean I don’t have some moments of envy and close examination in the mirror. The key is recognizing it and bringing it all before the Lord for his examination. He is faithful to deal with it and bring some “peace” to our many matters.
Great thoughts here. I wonder if we have a fitness team in my neck of the woods?! What fun (i think…).
peace~elaine
You know, it was not as a big deal as I had made it out to me – of course! But, as always, it was a lesson learned!
Thanks for sharing what God spoke to you. It is a message so many need to learn – to be content to do what God has given them to do, and not to try to be bigger and better – not to compare themselves to others who appear to be achieving more, or even compare their present self to their past self.
So true! My husband just spoke this weekend on significance. It should be up soon on the church’s website – http://www.saint-paul.org