Conquering Feelings of Inadequacy, part 2

Photo courtesy of Pixels

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”—1 Corinthians 1:27 (KJV)

Some individuals may consider themselves disqualified from a blessed existence. Please see my first article on how tough situations can’t keep us from God’s love here. This writing will further examine how personal limitations don’t have to stop us from improving our lives.

Sidelined people often make long-lasting changes. Here are only a few Biblical examples of “nobodies” who changed their world:

• David--Humble shepherd boy when Samuel anointed him as king.
• Mary--Unknown teenager, probably around 15 years old, when she got called to be Jesus’ mom.
• Saul, later the apostle Paul--Pharisee, one of the top leaders of the Jewish faith. He persecuted the Christians until an angel appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He went on to write 1/2 to 2/3 of the New Testament, depending on the source.
• Joseph, the son of Jacob/Israel--Sold into slavery by his 11 older brothers. They were jealous of him. This great man went through many trials until he finally ended up as Pharaoh’s steward. He was second in importance only to the Egyptian king (pharaoh).
• Moses--Chronically depressed shepherd who stuttered. He had wandered the wilderness for about 40 years when God talked to him from the burning bush and called him to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt.
• Peter (Simon Peter)—Temperamental fisherman of Galilee. This man became Christ’s head disciple.

Man of La Mancha

This is one of the world’s most enduring musicals. It is based on a novel by Miguel de Cervantes, called Don Quixote. The book tells the story of an aging nobleman who has a vivid imagination. He believes it’s his job to save the world.

In reality, many of his “enemies” were mostly in his mind. In addition, the woman he claims to love is a farmer’s daughter he just met.  The hero wasn’t going to let anything stop him, though.  I have posted the lyrics and the video to main song below. Please enjoy the powerful rendition by one of Broadway’s leading baritones, Brian Stokes Mitchell:

"The Impossible Dream (The Quest)"

To dream the impossible dream,

To fight the unbeatable foe,

To bear with unbearable sorrow,

To run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong,

To love pure and chaste from afar,

To try when your arms are too weary,

To reach the unreachable star.

This is my quest,

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless,

No matter how far.

To fight for the right

Without question or pause,

To be willing to march

Into hell for a heavenly cause.

And I know if I'll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will be peaceful and calm

When I'm laid to my rest.

And the world will be better for this,

That one man scorned and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage.

To fight the unbeatable foe.

To reach the unreachable star.

Music by Mitch Leigh. Lyrics by Joe Darion

My Conclusion

“And the world will be better for this,

That one man scorned and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage.

To fight the unbeatable foe.

To reach the unreachable star”

Scarred people make great leaders and warriors, too. In the end, aren’t we all imperfect?

How are you making your mark in the world?