Share the Courage

I compliment people a lot.

Some people have yelled at me for it, accused me of insincerity because of it, or told me I look like a freak for doing so to strangers on the street. I used to let their criticism hold me back and tone me down. Until I realized the reason my heart longs to say something positive and uplifting to every person I meet is this:

Because everyone deserves to know they matter. Everyone needs to know they have something beautiful within them. Everyone is hurting and everyone has a story. Against the negative current of society that constantly tells people why they are not good enough and how they can improve, we have the opportunity tell them why they already ARE good enough, and show them somebody actually SEES that. 

The closer I get to God's heart, the more mine starts to see His people through His eyes. Flawed? Yes, but that's not what He looks at. He looks at YOU. The part of you that no one likes to focus on because they're all too busy trying to change it.

Not many people know this about me, but I have a medical condition that keeps my throat from being able to sing clearly,  fully, or for long periods of time. It becomes physically painful and generally ends in a cough attack. It's been a really difficult struggle because my favorite thing in the world to do is worship through singing. While I believe God can and will heal my voice, I also believe that just because my voice is gone, doesn't mean I can't show other people theirs. 

The Lord has put a passion like none other in my heart to give people hope.... That they are loved, that freedom is possible, that they are good enough, and that their identity, value and worth is not found in how others make them feel. But in Jesus who loves them deeper than they can grasp and simply because they were made by His perfect hands. He really does use the most painful parts of our pasts to give someone else a different and brighter future.

When God has freed you from much slavery and death, you can't help but want others in prison and near death to know about the key out.

Do I believe telling someone they are beautiful will change their entire life? No. But could it lead to a deeper conversation or a friendship where you can SHOW them how beautiful God has already made them? Yes. I've seen it happen. And THAT does change lives.

Because once someone finally sees how loved they are just by being themselves and nothing more, they are finally free to live for something bigger than reaching the mark of "good enough" or "lovable". 

You never know what another is walking through. Smiles and "I'm Fine, How are you?"'s are the easiest lie in America. Telling a woman who goes home to an abusive relationship that she is loved and worth more can bring tears like you wouldn't believe. And those are just words. Imagine what SHOWING her those truths could transform inside of her.

The fullest way to live is by showing other people that they matter, rather than trying to make yourself matter. You already matter more than you can ever understand. Just by existing upon this earth, you serve a purpose; but it's your choice to take that purpose or to let it slip away from your fingers.

Embracing your purpose is the harder path, because sacrifice will knock on your door daily, unknown futures will be your best friend, and inconvenience will become the norm. But the hearts you get to watch change, the lives you begin to see find hope, the pieces of Jesus you find along the way, and the truths you learn about how God sees YOU, is totally, absolutely, undoubtedly worth every single second. 

Believe it: You matter. You're loved as you are. You're worth more than what you've been shown by others.

Spread the word, and show others their voice. 

-Han