The 1159: What Are We Embracing?

Weekly Recap

“Good things take time.” A phrase my mom constantly spoke while I was growing up. Well, turns out she’s right (shocker).

This week has had signs of breakthrough at work after MONTHS of working and waiting, and I’m so thankful to God for that. Still a looooooong ways away from my goals and KPIs, but hey, we have 51 weeks left this year (God willing) to hit those goals! And God doesn’t need 51 weeks anyways … think back to the welcome email.

What Are We Embracing?

On Sunday, my family and I joined a number of our friends from church for a 4 episode recording of Life and Leadership Lessons from Teddy Roosevelt with Eric Ludy. These were the last 4 episodes in a series of video podcasts that I actually found really powerful and impacting.

The first four episodes I walked away thinking of a quote I heard once (no idea who to attribute it to… it could have even been a thought I had in the car for all I know… it just sits in my quotes list with no name associated).

It’s not so much that we are called to embrace difficulties, as much as it is that we are called to embrace our Savior through the difficulties. – unknown

Over the last year, I’ve kept thinking back to that. In our modern era we (I as much as “they”) challenge ourselves to “embrace the challenge,” “embrace the grind,” among others.

And I’m actually a fan of that, to a certain extent. Challenge IS where we grow. Like gold in a fire, we refine and become better versions of ourselves when faced with challenges and adversities in life.

But it takes something beyond us, something outside of the situation to really give us that joy and confidence to pull us through when faced with impossibility. And we try all the things, anything ‘outside of us’ to give us that boost, and I can honestly say, only Christ truly gives us all that we need, ask, or think (Ephesians 3:20, Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:19, to name a couple).

So imagine shifting the focus from embracing the challenge itself, to facing the challenge head on (with excitement like Teddy) but embracing our wonderful Savior through it.

I could be wrong (you Pastors who subscribe can correct me if so), but I’m pretty sure that’s called being a Christian.

And that’s what I’m after in 2024. The Teddy-like excitement when faced with challenges and impossibilities, and a child-like faith and trust that my God is able and will see me through.

Ellerslie doesn’t pay me for this shoutout, but I’m giving it anyways… I highly reccomend you give those episodes a listen on your drive to work, or during lunch, or whenever you have a little time to carve out of your busy day. And if you do, I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on the series!

Alrighty, I have a bunch to get done this week, so need to jet. Hopefully I’ll be able to share about BOC in the next email! If you have no idea what that is, you’re in for a treat – it’s finally getting up off the ground and you may just be interested in joining us. I can’t share anymore just yet ;)

Have a fantastic week!

-DC

The joy of living is his who has the heart to demand it. – Teddy Roosevelt