Plenty Good Room...

I went to a friends birthday gathering the other night, an old friend but one that has recently started to re-blossum in new ways (pretty cool stuff!) Anways, his get-together was great but I knew no one else there besides his girlfriend! I started talking with the girl who sat next to me and was instantly intimidated...not only would I deem her prettier than myself but we shared a lot of the same passions. (especially things concerning race and racial reconciliation).

It's kinda felt like that's been "my" thing and if someone else wants it to be their thing it feels like an intrusion or like their taking it on means there's less for me to take on.(It's honestly just a pride issue!)

but then I was reminded of a meet with one of my own personal heroes...Brenda Salter-Mcneil. This woman, gosh...look her up, she's amazing! She marches to her own drum and yet asks for NO recognition in doing so. Anyways, we met for lunch not too far back so that I could pick he brain a bit and she said something that will stick with me forever...

Instead of her getting territorial over "her baby" (reconciliation work) and being intimidated by someone new tryin to weasle their way in like I am tempted to do..she welcomed me with open arms and said..."there is plenty good room." the funny thing about the kingdom and kingdom work is that there always is! It seems to be a sure fire way to tell if something is in fact holy and ordained...there will always be room for people who want to be there.

The worldy stuff, those are the places that you have to scratch and claw your way into, the places you have to push and shove and step on others to make it to the top, the places you have to prove yourself.
Nope, not in the kingdom. there is plenty good room. Come as you are. Bring all your friends. In the kingdom, adding another person who's talented and skilled and passionate to your team doesn't create competition, it creates success.

I felt so convicted after leaving that conversation. If I was really about racial reconciliation wouldn't I be all for it, even if it meant giving it up to someone else better suited or working alongside someone I may not have chosen for myself?  (even if their prettier or funnier or smarter than me).  If I was all about it wouldn't racial reconciliation beat my personal insecurity or personal preference any day?!?

Its not the way the world teaches us and it's not my natural default, but I'm convinced that Brenda is right and am working to respond in like fashion...if its kindgom work, there is ALWAYS plenty good room. come on in.