I was just encouraging a friend recently to reach out to someone because they have lots in common and they could truly be iron-sharpening-iron for each other. My friend hem-hawed around, sort of making excuses as to why it was not the best idea until finally admitting, “If I’m being honest, I just don’t feel like I measure up to them or am qualified to rub shoulders with her.” My reply was, “What!? Are you kidding me?!” 

You have to understand… my friend is super talented, well connected, smart and just an all-around great person who is quite comfortable in any room. 

It hit me in this conversation just how much we all experience self-doubt no matter how successful we are or who’s names we have in our contacts or whatever level or status we presume to have achieved. 

I’ve been privileged and had the honor of “being in rooms” with true legends, real Greats and I’ve noticed something about each one. The best of the best never make you feel like you don’t measure up. They walk in humility and are filled with gratefulness to be so highly revered almost like they can hardly believe it. They seem so fully aware of their own humanity and flaws. They do however, seem to have a confidence about them, a security, and a determination with laser focus and an absolute fail-proof knowing of where they are headed.

Following are some key considerations I’d like you to take away from this few  minute read is this: 

• If God says you measure up and if you decide to be a good steward of your gifts and calling developing them to your best ability, and especially if people of great respect and influence concur that you have the goods, STOP doubting yourself! Katie, bar the door!…as we used to say…GO FOR IT AND GO FOR IT BIG knowing you can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens you.
• If you have a big dream that is for-real going to make a difference, then it’s going to be all about others and for others and not about you. 
• It’s actually not about us measuring up at all but rather realizing that in and of ourselves, we don’t and never will. We are just the pipe. It is God in us that helps us. We are not the bomb-diggity. God is! We are just the messenger, the conduit, the vessel that He works through. So shirk the responsibility of measuring up and see yourself as His masterpiece completely reliant on Him to lead and guide you to the greatness in your heart. See the shift in perspective there? It’s so freeing!
• …so “I don’t measure up” or “Who does she think that she is?” Or “I don’t have what it takes” are all mute points. Say this out loud – I am the righteousness of God in Christ. That’s who I am. I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath. Everything I put my hand to, prospers. The very Creator of the universe lives in me and I am made in His image. I’m not to think more highly of myself than I ought but I am to think highly of myself while at the same time, I know where my help comes from. With God, I can do all things but without Him I am nothing. 

So, be bold. Follow that leading. Submit your plans to God’s ways. His ways are higher than yours. Let Him connect you to who He has for you. Then you determine with everything in you, “straining everything muscle” as one verse says to be good stewards of those relationships. It is who ya know but not in a political way. Life is relational. In every arena, it’s who ya know. That’s why He created us – to know us. And there is no one more powerful to know than God Himself. If you know Him, you’ve got a shoe in as they say. So walk through the door God is opening for you with your shoulders back, head up, and eyes straight ahead. Sure, there are things that “are not enough” about us all and that’s why we are always growing and going from glory to glory. Keep growing as you gooooooo! 

Go into all the world and preach the gospel through whatever means He calls you and God will bless whatever mess you make of it and turn things around for good getting you right where He sees fit for you to be! I know this from experience. I’ve made quite messes of things and He’s been so faithful to never waste a mess but turned it into my message time and time again. He is not a respect-or of persons and He will do the same for you! 

Happy Monday, y’all! 

XO, 

Adrienne