FAKE IT 'TIL YOU MAKE IT
I’ve concluded that the hardest thing in life is making the choice to believe the best – about people and about circumstances.
If we’re honest, we will admit we’ve been tempted at times to withhold a full expression of love because of a fear of being hurt. We will admit that sometimes reality leaves us grasping at straws and struggling with doubt.
Years ago I was happy to share my life’s mantra, “Fake it till you make it”. That was the story of my life; a perpetual series of occasions that required me to deny desperate feelings of inadequacy in order to say, “YES!” to the opportunities crossing my path. I really was “faking it” most of the time. I did a lot of things afraid and jumped headlong into every moment.
Those statements rattle some people. I was accused of being insincere; not genuine. My faking it was somehow almost fraudulent.
Point taken. Mantra withdrawn.
- Until a time when I had to take the platform on a Sunday morning and lead prayer [in faith] with my congregation, having just discovered heartbreaking health news regarding a close family member of my own.
- Until I chose to genuinely love, celebrate and promote people whom may not have returned the same favour my way.
- Until I had to decide whether it would be my circumstance or the ways of Jesus that I would hold resolutely as truth.
- Until a wise mentor of mine boldly declared, “You’re never really faking it with God.” (Thanks Addie x)
Bravery to me is forgiving, defending and protecting the ones who have wronged me.
Bravery to me is believing in the faithful goodness of God in the midst of personal undone.
I have decided to spend my life pouring into people; no conditions, no strings attached, no agendas – except to see them reach their Heaven-ordained potential (Phil 2:17). Some will rise to it, others wont, and that’s ok.
Life will throw challenges, and yet will I praise my Jesus (Hab 3:17-18). He is abundantly good (Ps 136:1). He never fails (Deut 31:8). His grace is more than enough (2 Cor 12:9). I have observed that the bravest people are noted in history as living with this kind of abandon.
Some may say that staying positive in a negative world is naïve or fraudulent.
I say it’s leadership.
I say it’s faith.
I say it’s brave.
After all, you’re never really faking it with God.
Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
