In my last post, I wrote a little about humility - that true humility is seeing yourself honestly. Over the years, as I have looked at myself honestly, I have come to discover this truth: I am not great at anything. Now, before you rise up in arms to prove my assessment wrong, and attempt to build up my self-esteem, hear me out. I do a lot of things well... but I don't excel in anything. I would probably be considered an above-average runner... but I am not a great runner. I sing well... but I am not an incredible singer. I can hold my own on the acoustic guitar... but a "guitar player," I am not qualified to be called. I am a pretty good worship leader... but far from being highly regarded in that field. I am competent in the things I do for a profession... but definitely not considered an expert. Get the picture? I am not a specialist in anything. Instead, I would be considered something of a generalist: someone who is generally competent, and maybe even above-average in many things, but mastering none of them. And that is totally ok with me. In fact, I rather enjoy it. It is the way I have been created... and for good reason.
Long before the D.I.S.C. Assessment or the Myers-Briggs personality tests, the Bible was speaking of innate motivations thoughtfully placed within every human being. If you look at Romans 12:3-8, you will see a list of those seven God-given motivational gifts. Over the years, I have discovered that God has placed in me a strong motivation to teach. I love to teach. While I don't often get the opportunity to teach in a formal classroom setting, I am always teaching. My generalist design complements my motivation to teach well. Because I am generally good (or at least competent) in many things, I get to satisfy my motivation to teach in many different areas. Since I'm not a specialist in anything, I will probably never be a professor in a college... but I will always have the opportunity to impart my knowledge and experience to those who are up-and-coming... giving them a leg-up and helping them excel at the callings they are gifted for.
Several years ago, for a short season, I was given the opportunity to take over and teach a class on worship. I loved it. In preperation for the class, I dove into books and Bible study, and ended up completely re-writing the course. Teaching the class was a joy... but beyond the joy of actually teaching the class was being able to watch my students grow as worship leaders. During my last semester of teaching that particular course, there was a young man who attended my classes. He was new to our church and still in college. We was a pretty competent musician and was wondering if there was a call from God on his life to lead worship. Since that class, that young man has graduated from college and entered a ministry training program in our church. Over the years, I have watched him grow as a minister and as a worship leader. Recently, I have had the honor of leading along side him, and even serving under him as he leads. He is well on his way to becomming an incredibly effective worship leader... far more effective than I will ever be.
This past year, that same young man decided to venture into long-distance running. It was my joy to see him joining our organized Saturday morning runs, as we trained together to complete a Fall half-marathon. He had never run in an organized race before, much less a half-marathon. In most of our runs, we ended up runnning together. At first, I was holding my pace back so that he could stay with me. Toward the end of the training season, I was having to increase my pace a bit to stay with him. One of his concerns going into the half-marathon was that he would get too excited at the beginning of the race and, end up going out too fast. He really wanted to be able to finish well... so we talked about that, and I gave him what wisdom I had gained over my years of racing and facing similar challenges. On race day, we got seperated at the start, but quickly found each other about a half-mile in. From that point we ran together... taking breaks together... encouraging each other on. Mile 11 was our last water stop. After that stop, he was still feeling strong and actually felt that he could actually ramp his pace up even more. I was already running my best... so he went on ahead and ended up finishing a few minutes before me. While you may think that would make me upset, in fact it did the opposite. It gave me joy to see him doing so well. I had done my part: I used my knowledge and wisdom to set him up for success. The fact that he did better than me doesn't disappoint me... it encourages me... to know that I am doing what God has called me to do: pour into, train up, and equip the next generation. That young man has been positioned by many in his life (I'm priviledged to be one of them) to excel - to become all that God has created him to be. If he becomes a better worship leader or runner or minister of the Gospel than me, I will celebrate him and God's work in him all the way. The thing that would disappoint me would be for him to squander the wisdom, knowledge, and opportunities that have been given to him, and fail to reach his destiny in Christ.
While teaching is a strong motivator in my life, you don't have to be gifted with a teaching motivation in order to pour into others. We are all called to share our knowledge and wisdom. We are all called to set up the next generation to succeed. The Bible is full of challenges to pass on and train up the next generation. We don't have to stand at a lecturn in front of a class to teach. We don't have to hold a clipboard in hand, with a whistle around our neck to coach. All we have to do is walk with people - run along side people - and share with them the things that have been passed on to us.
Right now, in our home, we have three generations living under the same roof. For a short season, my father-in-law has come to live with us as he undergoes daily treatment for cancer. For the first time in their lives, my kids have ready-access to a grandparent. Their grandfather never went to college... he never ran a successful business... he never won any awards... but he has lived 72 years of life - and what wisdom he has gained in those 72 years, he freely passes along. It's wonderful to see the things that are getting imparted into my kids life, both directly and indirectly, because he is here. We all have something to give. Don't hoard... don't be stingy... freely give. It is amazing how much life will flow into you, as you are faithful to let it flow out of you to others.
Before I close, I want to mention this. Since the arrival of our new family member, priorities in the Hicks household have shifted a bit. Because of that, I don't have the time to keep this blog updated on a regular basis. I will update it as time allows, and as God continues to give me the grace. Thank you to all of you who read this, for your understanding, support and prayers.
Let's keep running the race, and remember to coach along the way.
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