Spotlight

Last Saturday I posted a blog.  You could say it went viral.  It’s been a crazy week that ended in two national news programs contacting me for interviews.  Never could I have imagined at 5PM last Saturday, when that Open Letter was published, what the week would hold.  NEVER.

I was thrust into a spotlight that I wasn’t expecting.  At all.  I didn’t seek it out.  I had no idea it was coming.  But none the less, that spotlight was there.

I heard an argument that sounded much like that this week in regards to my blog post.  And while my spotlight (thankfully) is nothing like that of a top-tier athlete, it’s a spotlight none the less.  And we all have one on us.  I didn’t choose it and maybe you haven’t chosen yours either.  But we have a responsibility because of it.

Here’s the thing.  Very few people ever ask for the title of role model.  Most of us would be humbled and maybe even a little shocked to find out the people who look at us as role models.  But we are.

Of course, for our kids, we have to start at home.  We have to work every day to parent and live the best we can so that our children can grow into all that God has for them.  But, at the same time, we have to be realistic and know that our children will also look outside of our homes.  Maybe it’s a teacher they admire, maybe a pastor, maybe an athlete, singer or actor.  Maybe it’s a police officer, fire fighter or member of the Armed Services.  Regardless of who it is, our kids see other people that they connect with and look up to.

And maybe that person someone’s child is looking up to is me.  Or you.  It’s easy to forget that people (not just children) watch us. And it would be easier to not care.  To say it’s not my responsibility to be a role model or someone people look up to.  But the reality is, we’re all in a spotlight.  I may not be in a national spotlight, but I’m in someone’s spotlight.  Hopefully it’s my kids.  Maybe  its their friends.  Maybe it’s those who read what I write.  Maybe it’s people who I will never know are watching.  But I have one on me.  The question is, what will shine through?

I’m far from perfect.  Just like you.  I will make mistakes.  I will stumble.  But in the midst of my successes and failures, if people see Jesus at work in me then it’s all worth it.

“What good is it if someone gains the whole world, but loses his soul? Or what can anyone trade for his soul?” Matthew 16:26