Citygro, a dreamed Utopia where entrepreneurs are given ways to connect with their consumers, and the economy grows. I'm blessed, happy to see that all that hard work in the winter trying to make a company is starting to pay off, and excited to see where the next year takes us. Anyway, enough journal ish, lets get to the meat! Supports, crutches, and props... spiritually speaking.
At Jimmer's Shooting Camp, Dan Clark (author of Chicken Soup series) spoke to the camp about Rising to the occasion like Jimmer always would. He's an incredible speaker. The whole 45 minutes he talked my head was spinning! I wish I had recorded it, but all I had was my phone, so I noted as much as I could. The quote that struck me hardest was:
"Before we can expect Support from 'someone else', we must first give it to 'someone else'. Support is the magic that allows us to make the most of any occasion."
The rest of the week I looked at the word "support" from every possible angle, trying to better understand its MAGIC. Early Sunday morning (after an incredible weekend with my mom, dad, sister and friends), pondering my lesson, "support" continued to weigh on my mind. I came up with the following:
"A Crutch can strengthen in time of need but will weaken if misused. Yet a Support rectifies growth, accelerates arrival and produces power"
The Spirit is our everlasting Support for progression in all things. Bad habits and weaknesses are Crutches we return to when we lose our ability to stand on our own. There certainly are times we might need a crutch, but then again, isn't a crutch only necessary AFTER an "injury"? Most, if not all such, "injuries" come from lack of caution, or preparation. In Thor (great movie...) King Odin says "A wise king never makes war, but he must always be prepared for it." If one takes a corner too fast or comes too close to the edge, inevidibly there will be a fall. Falls are when injuries are incurred.
Its important for us to understand, we all have weaknesses. I used to arrogantly say I didn't need ankle support. Then I learned the hard way by spraining both ankles. Now I'm conscious of what kind of ankle support is necessary to prevent injury. In the book "Weakness is not Sin" by Wendy Ulrich it defines Weakness as a port to Strength if used faithfully in correct perspective; and also as a slide into Sin if feared, ashamed or ignored. It's all based on our choices. "This mortal form grows weak. I require sustenance!" - Thor (who overlooked his source of power and had to depend on others to regain it)
Once healthy (speaking physically or spiritually), we can move forward into building strength on that weakness. Why not take it further and be excellent in whatever endeavor you might be involved in? How do we get there? Support! We start with our set of weaknesses. If we make the wrong choice, a crutch is necessary to nurse us back to health. "Support is THAT magic that allows us to make the most of any occasion. Knowing that we need "supports" to make the most of any occasion requires humility. Humility (something I hope to gain someday) requires 7 P's according to the book: ponder, prioritize, pace, Prop Up, patience, and prayer. Propping up requires a realization that Support is necessary to achieve our goals. We can't do it alone. No shame in that, its part of life! Click here to read the whole schpill from the book.
To begin the summer, I had no idea where to take my company GIVE. I started to realize that with school, ect, I needed to piggy back on the support of a bigger company. I found Bluecache and a great friend in Jeff Sorenson! We have the exact same vision, but they were a couple years ahead of me. I joined up with them and together we're driving a potent new force: CityGro. The Power of Support!
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To hit the point home, here's a line from one of my new favorite flicks Captain America:
Steven Rogers, in his measly yet courageous frame inquires "Why me?" to Dr Erskine before his operation to become Captain America. His wise reply says it all:
"Because a weak man knows the value of strength; knows the value of power."
He also says,"Whatever happens, stay who you are. Not just a soldier, but a good man."
Strength comes from conquering weakness, and only grace attained in humility can maintain that force!
Paul understood this well:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor 12:9-10)
I know that Christ's support is always there for us if we will humble ourselves. He is my Prop.
That is what grace is. Grace is that "magic" support that allows us to "Rise Up" and make the most of every occasion in life. For that Support as well as the wonderful props I have in my family and friendship circle, I'm grateful!
"Find the 'Why' in life and the 'How' becomes pretty easy" - Dan Clark
