I took this photo ten years ago in Kenya, following a week-long speaking appointment at a boarding school for missionary kids. My brother had flown out to join me on safari in Masai Mara game park, and we'd hired a van and driver who knew a great deal about the animals and where they might be found.On our very first day in the park, the driver drove up under a tree, just below this fellow. The leopard seemed to be feeling pretty mellow, the remains of his antelope breakfast hanging over one of the other branches. I would not, however, want to tangle with him if he were hungry or mad. He's not the "Come, kitty-kitty" that he looks like here.
Reflecting on the picture this morning, it causes me to mull over the difficulty of achieving change in our personal lives. Long ago the prophet Jeremiah observed, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil." Jer. 13:23. The longer I live, the more I see how difficult it is to affect long-term change in my life, whether it be in exercise, eating habits, reactions to other people, patterns of thinking, being stuck wearing styles from 20 years ago, the degree of pessimism or optimism expressed to others, my specific way of washing the dishes, and so on.
Despite the difficulty of change, I keep on trying to conquer most things on that list. Having said that, however, I think that there are significant times when we try to change things that we shouldn't.
I remember saying to a former boss, "I'm trying to do it just like you would." He responded with, "Ginger, don't try to do things as I would. You need to live in your own skin!" What a gift that was! I remember the sudden wash of freedom that ran through me upon hearing his words. You're just right as you are. Learn to live life as yourself, use the strengths that are unique to you and approach each day with your own flavor, the way God made you.
"Live in your own skin." Would that all mentors could express that wisdom to the next generation coming along!
Most of us must make small changes gradually to embrace them for any length of time. Many of our resolutions are for big changes, overnight. A big scare may motivate some to change at a faster rate. There is merit to just being ourselves too. Good post and nice picture!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice from Bossman. I guess changes must be made incrementally until they become habits. I find that very hard to do.
ReplyDeleteamazing and beautyfull...............
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