I’m watching the Olympics in complete awe of the endurance, strength, mental fortitude, teamwork or individual grit, and the incredible amount of time devoted to becoming an elite athlete. The stories of training routines and overcoming adversities are impressive and heartwarming. Win or lose, it’s evident their community of supporting family and friends is key to their well-being.
I admit, I love the idea of being an athlete, but the reality is that I don’t like to sweat or breathe heavily in front of people. I was in sports when I was younger and always felt the pull that I should take up running, swimming, or tennis as I was getting older. I tried some running programs, swam laps for a few weeks, and bought a tennis rack. However, with faith, community, and the gift of time, the more okay I am with who I am. I was created to be a walker. A walker that finds support in walking with friends or alone, is happy to stop to chat with a neighbor or linger to admire nature. I’m still moving my body but in a way that gives me peace and acceptance.
At the ELCA Youth Gathering this summer, the daily themes were “Created to be… Brave, Authentic, Free, Disruptive, Disciples.” I was so proud of our youth who were stretching themselves to find who they were created to be and also digging into who they have already been created to be. They mustered the courage to sing and dance in public, passed out our rainbow LOL love stickers to strangers, and drew from their innate goodness in sharing hugs, laughter, and empathy. The community in NOLA that was grounded in the teachings of Jesus gave them strength and courage.
Those of us with age and experience on our side know how difficult it is to figure out who we are created to be and it can change depending on life circumstances. They are just beginning their journey. What a gift it is to be able to walk with our youth and children in our Lord of Life community.
Who are you created to be? Who are we created to be together? It feels like a really big question, but what if we broke it down to being a child of God? Psalm 139 says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” When we trust in this, it is the foundation for growing in our ability to be brave, authentic, free, disruptive, disciples with Jesus lighting our way.
While I might be walking the path of who I was created to be instead of running like an Olympian, it gives me joy to admire others that have chosen different paths that draw on their own unique abilities and journey. I am continually grateful for the colorful variety that we are created to be and the community that surrounds us and reaches out into the world in God’s love.
In Christ’s love,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation