When did we start running to get things done? When did we start chasing after accomplishments, titles, material possessions, physical beauty, and social media ‘likes’ to make ourselves feel valuable, worthy of fitting in and hoping to be acknowledged by someone, anyone for that matter? Has it felt good, did you achieve your objective, are they seeing you, acknowledging you and giving you what you need?
I am reminded of a beautiful song by Colbie Caillat called “You don’t have to try, try, try,” and I took the liberty of quoting some of the lyrics that have really touched my heart deeply. I believe that all of us are somehow searching for belonging, being seen, being loved and being able to just breathe and rest in the knowledge that “I am enough”.
Here are the lyrics:
“… Put your make up on
Get your nails done
Curl your hair
Run the extra mile
Keep it slim
So they like you, do they like you?
… Get your shopping on, at the mall, max your credit cards
You don't have to choose, buy it all
Do they like you? Do they like you?
… Wait a second,
Why should you care, what they think of you
When you're all alone, by yourself
Do you like you? Do you like you?
… You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
… Take your make up off
Let your hair down
Take a breath
Look into the mirror, at yourself
Don't you like you?
Cause I like you
Do they like you….Do they like you…..Do you like you…. Do you like you……cause I like you.
These are words that you need to hear – someone likes you, in fact someone loves you. He loves you gently, unselfishly, unconditionally, endlessly, peacefully, spaciously, accepting you as you are and He loves you patiently, with only one goal and that is for you to see you how He sees you.
He wants to restore you, He wants to heal you, He wants to rebuild you and He wants to give you a new level of existence in His Presence. He promises: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” and furthermore: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” You see, He created you with purpose, perfectly flawless – and nothing you do can improve upon His carefully crafted design – let it go, let go of striving, let go of chasing, let go of the image you hoped they would like, let go of running after the crowd…and simply slow down, come to a gradual halt, take a deep breath, and rest.
Rest, knowing He’s got you; He loves you and He is waiting for you to hear His version of your story. It is beautiful, it is inspiring, and you will receive His beauty, His blessings, and His peace from the ashes of your past.
So, as the seasons gently change, as scholars, students and families everywhere prepare for their annual mid-year breaks, everyone in need of rest, everyone in need of recovery and of slowing down, let us also become aware of our own need to take a break, to re-assess our journey of life, to accept that we are enough and to rest in the knowledge that we are loved, accepted and beautiful, just as we are.
Just Be You.
(And because it's so beautiful, here's the link to the video of Colbie Caillat)