Walk your path. This is what comes with it.
“A mantra that often helps me when the path is difficult is simply to say, “This is what comes with it.”
It has an extraordinary ability to relieve the tension and drama of things. The “it” of course, is the joy of knowing that you are where you are supposed to be. That sense that this is your gift; this is your path; this is what you are here to do; this is who you are here to serve; this is how you are to break yourself open and pour yourself out. But when you find yourself in those moments when you are being stretched; when you are in the midst of what feels like a trial or a test; when the heat is consuming you… try this.
Just say, “This is what comes with it.”
Because too often we get caught up in our own melodrama. We are telling everyone how hard it is. “Oh you wouldn’t believe the cost of this journey that i am on…” All that sort of over the top language.
“This is what comes with it.”
It has a way of causing us to ask, what did I think? Did I think my path would be totally free from all sweat and difficulty? Did I think everyone would get it? Did I think it would be a calm, cool walk beside a river on a beautiful day? Did I think that somehow I would get a free pass … unlike everybody else?
When are you are in it — really in it — and you are even questioning why you stay at whatever it is that you do, try this…
“This is what comes with it.”
Just name it. Be the witness to it. Instead of letting it overwhelm you; instead letting it raising all those questions… am I even doing…? What am I…? How am I…? You want to be in the game. You want to be right there in the center of your path. Because then, then you’ll be disrupting something, somehow. “This is what comes with it.”
Difficulty, trial, all the sweat that comes from walking your path… it’s probably best not to make that drama public. You dont need to post about it. You work that stuff out on your own. And you keep repeating, “This is what comes with it.” You know that impulse to post about all the challenges and difficulties? So then everyone else can comment and cheer you on? Don’t. If you need help, just ask a friend! Often times, people become addicted to their own drama. It’s like we have to keep reminding people of this brave, courageous thing that we are doing. If you are using the words brave or courageous, then it probably isn’t. Just for the record. Let other people use those kinds of words. Just stay on your path.
“This is what comes with it.””
Excerpt from the Rob Bell podcast entitled, What She Knows, October 14, 2018