Red is the new Black in 2018
MENTORING MATTERS
June 16, 2017
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight
Then all the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You’ll go down in history
I have heard this song 1,000s of times since I was a little girl. But as I sipped my tea this Christmas season, it was like I was hearing it for the first time. All of a sudden, I realized I could learn a thing or two about purpose from a mammal.
When we are young, we embrace our special quirks and “bents”. In fact, we seek opportunities to stand out, to be unique and different. It is fun as a kid to wear mixed matched socks or color our hair purple just because. However, as we get older, we aspire to be more like the crowd. We are compelled to blend. To assimilate. We become comfortable in being like everyone else because this is how we know we belong. When we are all the same, we have proof we have found our tribe. I am not sure this is how it should be.
Rudolph discovered something each of us should discover. He discovered he was born to stand out. Despite what he thought or felt or what others said about him, he found out his existence was by design and on purpose.
Rudolph had a unique nose. It was Red. No other reindeer had this distinction. Initially it seemed problematic for Rudolph. To those in his circle, he was weird and strange. They bullied him and made fun of him. He was an outcast and a misfit. He was ostracized and kept out of the inner circle. Why was Rudolph’s nose Red??
Suddenly..
All the reindeer were in positon. Everyone was ready for the biggest night of the year but there was a problem. Santa was blinded by the fog. If he couldn’t see, how would all of the toys be delivered? This was a dilemma that would impact millions of children worldwide. No reindeer could help solve Santa’s problem. That is, no reindeer except Rudolph. Things were about to get very interesting.
Suddenly everything changed.
Without a moment’s notice, now Rudolph was in the front of the line when everyone thought he would stay at the back of the line. In a twinkle of the eye he was everything they said he was not. He was now a leader and no longer a follower. In fact, they needed Rudolph in order to do their job.
Why did Santa choose Rudolph? It wasn’t his good looks, his soft fur, his economic status, his family origin or his education. Santa chose Rudolph because he needed his red nose that shinned so brightly. If the truth be told, the nose was the only reason he was even a candidate. Outside of it, he was just a regular reindeer. The thing that caused Rudolph the greatest pain and embarrassment was the thing that propelled him into his greatest purpose.
“Never underestimate the power of God to use our pain to propel us into purpose”.
I think of the amazing promise spoken to Joseph by God. Joseph had a purpose. He would be a great leader and help to deliver a nation of people. However, before this promise became a reality, he would endure many trials and disappointments, even landing in a dungeon.
Then SUDDENLY it all changed.
Genesis 41:14 records this passage:
Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh.
Think about the magnitude of this passage. One moment Joseph is in prison and the next minute, he is cleaned up and standing before the King. I think Joseph was faithful to God but I don’t think he woke up that morning thinking “today would be the day”. But God did. He knows the timing for your miracle too.
What has caused you great pain or embarrassment? What is your most unique attribute which you feel is negative and limiting instead of positive and purposeful? Have you made some poor choices and feel you can never recover? Whatever it is, God can use it ALL for Your purpose and His Glory.
As we enter 2018, let us be reminded of the “Suddenly” of God. God is not limited to our seemingly impossible situation. He is ready and willing to turn it all around in our favor….Suddenly.
Just like with Rudolph, you will find yourself at the head of the line doing exactly what you were created to do. Others will look in amazement and wonder and your name will go down in history with God proving Himself yet again.
Live On Purpose
Kim
