what are you waiting for?

I recently updated the music on my iPod. Along with adding some of my newer music, I also added some older songs I love. I had it on shuffle the other day as I was cleaning my house and Natalie Grant's, "What Are You Waiting For" song came on (you can click on the song title to listen to it, if you'd like.) I've always enjoyed this song and I feel challenged each time it plays. My favorite lyrics are these words:

"But then I stop and to myself I say,

'So you wanna change the world,

What are you waiting for?

Say you're gonna start right now,

What are you waiting for?

It only takes one voice

So come on now and shout it out!

Give a little more,

What are you waiting for?'"

As I sang along while washing the countertops, I thought about what a changed world might look like. Could it happen and, if so, how?

*Photo found on Pinterest

This world we're living in now can be such a harsh and cruel place to be. We've learned at a young age the lesson of putting up our guards to protect ourselves from the pain that comes from people's unmet expectations of us. We've grown up in a society that has taught us that if we don't look a certain way, behave a certain way, live a certain way then we're simply not a person worth knowing. If we're not among the best, then we shouldn't even bother, because good isn't good enough.

We're living in a world that is constantly pitting us against each other. We're being made to feel like life is just one big unending competition. You against everyone else. 

The woman you always pass in the grocery store aisle? You need to look better than her.

The guy in the cubicle beside yours? You need to make more sales than him.

Those parents with the three children all under the age of four who are misbehaving in public? Your kids need to behave better than theirs.

That kid at school who dresses odd and is always alone? You need to be higher on the social ladder than them.

We're no longer comrades on this journey of life together, we're now contestants seeking ways to stay one step ahead of each other.

*Photo found on inspirationformoms.com

Because I'm trying to be open and honest in this blog, raw and real with all of you, I have something to confess:

Some days, I struggle with viewing you all as my competition.

*Groan* Oh, I hate telling you that. I would much rather you think of me as one who has matured and moved beyond this silliness, but alas, that would be a lie. Some days I get sucked into the comparison mentality that our society is constantly shoving at me. 

Listening to that song by Ms. Grant prompted me to contemplate how the world can be changed. More specifically, how I can be a part of that change. And while there are numerous things my brain could've settled on, this thought is the one that is ringing most true to me right now:

To change the world, I must first change me.

How do I do that? My personal conviction is that it starts in my brain. I need to change the things that I think, the ways that I think. Instead of passing judgement without ever even knowing people's stories, I need to offer grace without their story being necessary. I need to mentally see others as good and beautiful and wonderful exactly how they are. Instead of internally comparing myself with them in a way that makes me the "better person", I need to be a better person and stop comparing us at all. 

*Photo found on Etsy

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." I'm sure you've all seen that quote somewhere or other in your lifetime. While it may be over quoted these days, the message behind it remains valid. I believe that the world will change if we ourselves are willing to undergo a change to begin it.

What if instead of judgmental thoughts, we give grace? What if instead of anger, we extend mercy? What if instead of competing against each other, we encourage one another onward? What if instead of living lives steeped in comparisons, we live lives immersed in Love?

I don't want to feel as though I'm competing against you, Friends.

*Photo credit - hgifford.blogspot.com

So to the woman in the grocery store aisle who has messy hair and is dressed in loungeing-around-all-day clothes, to you I say this - you're beautiful. I have no idea what's happened in your day that has you rushing around so fast and looking so frazzled, but I'm going to look beyond that to see the beauty that is you. I'm not going to judge you, I'm going to silently cheer you on. You go girl, you've got this! In return, if we happen to cross paths one day and my hair's obviously not been styled and I'm looking quite distressed, maybe you could extend the same grace to me? Because, Friend, I'm no longer your competition.

To the parent in the public place who's cringing in embarrassment because your child is the one throwing the massive tantrum, to you I say this - don't be embarrassed on my account. I'll no longer be sitting there casting silent judgements on your parenting skills. I'm not a parent so I'm only able to imagine how stressful this moment may be for you. Instead of getting annoyed at your child's disruptive behavior, I'm going to extend grace and understanding. Though I don't know the story of how and why your child came to behave in such a way, I choose to love you and your screaming little one. Be at peace, Friend. I'm sure it must've been a rough day. You've got a cheerleader in me - hang in there, you're going to be fine! In return, if someday God blesses me with little ones of my own and you happen to catch us on a baby-missed-their-nap-and-they're-screaming-their-displeasure-to-the-world type of day, could you remember this moment and extend the grace back to me? Because, Friend, I'm no longer your competition.

To the one standing all alone in a crowd of people, looking lost and awkward, to you I say this - I see you. I see you and I want to get to know you. I want to hear your story. You matter. I'm not going to question why no one else is talking to you or assume that you must be weird and that's why you're alone. I won't compare you and I, how you're alone and I'm hanging with friends. No, instead I'm going to be thankful that you're not otherwise occupied because it gives me the honor and opportunity of talking to you myself. Maybe you're just shy or unaccustomed to meeting new people. That's ok. I've been there. So I'm going to come include you because I think you're worth it. In return, if we should meet again and our roles are reversed, meaning I'm now the one standing alone and looking awkward, could you extend some grace and friendship to me? Because, Friend, I'm no longer your competition.

I'm going to work on changing my way of thinking. And I think there's going to be such freedom in the change.

You're no longer my competition, Friends…

And I'm no longer yours.

*Photo found on Pinterest