Did you know that scientists estimate that the odds of you being born are at least 1 in 400 trillion?

1 in 400 trillion.

And as you read this, did you know that you are 1 of 7.75 Billion people on earth?

1 of 7.75 Billion

Out of all the statistics, odds, and matchmaking, here you are - simply you. Consider your uniqueness. 1 in 400 trillion chance of even breathing life. The original 1-of-1 copy of you. A world of 7.75 Billion and there’s only one of you.

With each passing week I have felt this growing internal tension between how I have been showing up each day and how I desire to show up each day.

My vision of self is being slowly eroded by reality. My initial response was to assume I was broken and needed to be fixed! Asking questions like, “What is wrong with me?” Which only led me down a path of unproductive self-pity.

As leaders we like to appear confident and competent in all situations. We want others to be impressed with how effortless we make everything look.

We put immense pressure on ourselves to ensure that those around us think we have everything under control. We think we must always be prepared and polished.

Growing up I always wondered why my mom would spend so much time in the produce aisle at the grocery store. Every time we went she would meticulously inspect the fruit before placing it in the cart. Finally, I asked and she explained she was looking for good fruit.

How is it that both of us were created in God’s image? We’re so different!

Human beings are the epitome of perfect design. We’re all built for a particular purpose while tightroping this balance between similarity and originality. This is how great design works.

There will be a season. God has guaranteed us that. He has also blessed us with a recurring cadence for which we can fall into a seasonal rhythm.

Life doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it.

True life-giving nourishment comes by way of the spirit. God’s word is what sustains us.

All “calories” are empty to the malnourished soul. You can’t “eat” your way to a righteous existence, instead consume his word and apply it in all circumstances if you wish to have a full life.

Have you ever been lost? It’s an awful feeling, in that moment of realization we experience this surge of mixed emotions like fear, anxiety, and panic. But prior to that moment being lost is imperceptible.