All month long we’ve been profiling amazing women in our Women Who Dare series. Inspiring souls who have quite literally changed the world.
Their lives seem so far away from what we experience everyday, and yet if we look closer we see that in many ways they are just like us. Mothers, daughters, dreamers and doers – all doing the best they can with the gifts they’ve been given.
Like many of us, their lives are full of ups and downs. Orphaned, abandoned, abused and confused. Yet they overcame what seemed insurmountable challenges to accomplish great things.
So what is it that made these women stand out in the crowd? Seems like the one thing they all have in common is not a directive or common goal, but rather a decision:
I Dare to Be Me
Ain’t that grand? I mean what could be more fulfilling than to embrace the life for which you were created? Trouble is, some of us have no idea what that is. We feel that missing piece, but for the life of us cannot find anything that fits that empty space.
Now, I’m not talking about the absence of God. That’s something altogether different, marked by an abject sense of hopelessness and despair. I’m referring to those of us who believe who God is, know that we are purposed, but still can’t figure out what in the world to do with ourselves.
I know I’ve been there, more than a time or two. There are seasons of my life when I felt like I was just meandering along. Frustrated I would cry out…
God what in the heck do you want me to do with me?
What I have found is that if I’m patient in the stillness, the path will always be revealed. (…and conversely when I push my way through – which I am want to do – I most times have to take my tail right back to where he had me until He gets ready for me to move. Ever have one of those “why do I keep ending up in these same situations” moments? Mmm hmm…that would be this.)
Isn’t it interesting though that when we wait on direction, it’s rarely what we expect to hear? That’s because the pathway to success is always found in the improbable, unexpected and often impossible. It’s not easy, and it’s rarely quick. It takes a lot of courage to fail our way forward, and many of us drop off the path after our first tumble.
As I studied the life stories of the women we profiled, I noticed the same thing in them – a journey of self-discovery that lead to a season of difference making. All along the way they made courageous choices, defied what was the status quo and embraced great leaps of faith.
I believe their lives teach us six valuable lessons for our own.
- They heard and answered the call. When God said go, they went – without having all the answers, or looking for a guarantee.
- They followed their passions. Rather than wait for the perfect opportunity to appear, they started with the challenges before them and made their own opportunity.
- They walked the unconventional path. The road to achieving their goals was always marked with unexpected twists and turns, but they stayed the course.
- They fought for the rights of others. It wasn’t enough for them alone to experience success, liberation and freedom. They passionately worked for others to have the same opportunities.
- They turned tragedy into triumph. What others meant for evil, they allowed God to use for good.
- They never gave up. Until death, they fought for what they believed in. And in passing, they handed off the torch to all of us.
Each of us has been given a unique assignment. If you don’t know what yours is, follow your passions and your purpose will emerge. For God will not leave us in the dark for long. It may not be our timing, but in the end His timing is always in perfect order.
Destiny determines our destination, but our pathways are charted by the choices we make and the circumstances we encounter along the way. My prayer is that all of us will have the courage to live the life for which we were created, to allow God to use us for his good and perfect work, and to embrace the BIG-ness of God’s vision for our lives.
Let’s tweet this as our proclamation to the world – I am driven, destined by God and determined to defy the status quo. This is my season to make a difference. I dare to be me. #Dare2BMe
Loving on Me as I Love You!
Hugs and Blessings ❤
Thanks for setting great examples of a daring woman. You encourage me to stay the course; many good works to be done.
Amen! Thanks for being a constant source of support and encouragement. Love you! ❤