Have you ever met people that were just so, I don’t know what, but you just couldn’t wait to be around them again? Their presence was just the highlight of your day and you couldn’t help but be in awe of who they were? I know a few of those people.
Age doesn’t matter
Recently, Ian and I attended a benefit concert for our friend Erin Zurflu. I met her in my CNA class the first year of college and I’ve absolutely adored her ever since. She’s sweet, friendly, incredibly smart, talented and athletic. She’s amazing and everyone that’s met her will confirm that.
When we found out she had cancer a few weeks ago, it was like we’d been punched in the stomach. We knew we’d be at her benefit, no matter what. And hundreds of other people felt the same way. She’s just such an important part of the community. And she’s only 29-years-old.
Angaza
When I went to Donald Miller’s Storyline Conference last September, I met Jared Miller. Hid dad is Dan Miller, author of 48 Days to the Work You Love and No More Mondays. His brother Kevin founded Free Agent Academy.
I was there to meet those two and Justin Lukasavige, but I also got to meet Jared. He was tanned, bald with a long goatee and, frankly, one guy I would not want to meet alone in a dark alley. But he was also engaging and thoughtful, clearly a deep-thinker and one who seemed to enjoy solitude. I was glad that I got the chance to meet him.
Recently, his twitter and facebook name went from Jared Miller to Jared Angaza. What the heck was that all about? Was he starting a new business, branching off from his social-enterpeneurial venture with Keza Fashion? Nope. It was something so much cooler.
In May, he married his lovely wife Ilea. And, not being your ordinary couple, they decided that rather than Ilea taking Jared’s last name, they would create their own last name together, one that encompassed who they were and what they believed in. How cool is that???
And they chose Angaza – Swahili for enlighten and illuminate. You can read the whole story here, but it represents them well.
When Jared’s dad, Dan, talked about it on his podcast, he said, “I sure hope we can leave behind more than just a name” (or something to that effect), it made me stop and think, “Wow, am I doing that?”
What’s the point?
Jared and Ilea are pretty special people. They’re changing the world and making a big difference in the lives of African women who would otherwise be working the streets to feed themselves and their children.
So it makes sense that they would take on a name for themselves that encompasses their values and mission in this world.
But what makes them so special? Is it because Jared has a famous dad? Hardly, from what Dan says, Jared has had a heart for Africa since he was a little boy. What makes him so special is that he embraced the desires of his heart, his love for these people and acted.
So, the hard question, the finger-pointing question (this finger is pointing directly at me), is why haven’t I acted on the burning desires and longings of my heart?
Why am I not entrenched in meaningful, fulfilling, ordinary work that sings to my heart’s desires and God-given purpose in this life?
Fear. Lack of funds. Having so many children.
But will God really accept those excuses when I answer to him or will he say, “Really? Was I not bigger than your fear? Did I not always provide for you? Didn’t I bless you with those children so that your light would shine upon them?”
Oh dear.
Anyone can do it
Creating a legacy isn’t something that’s done overnight. It isn’t only achieved by the super-rich. Missionaries don’t have the market on living a life of meaning and purpose. It’s done by the ordinary radicals, the ones who challenge “the way things have always been” and the naysayers.
The people that create legacies do what they were meant to do because the pain of not doing it would be so much greater than the pain of change and growth that comes with pursuing it.
How do you create a legacy?
It helps to know yourself and your passions. To quiet yourself and listen to that still, small voice who whispers to your heart. What makes you come alive? What movies do you watch that fill you with joy? What do you see that stirs such a holy anger that you know that you must do something? What would you do if money were absolutely no object?
Got it? Do it.
I must confess that this post is mostly a letter to myself. A “get your butt up off the couch and do something” call to action. I know the answers to those questions. I know that if I had unlimited funds I’d move somewhere that needed me and start an orphanage. I know that I’ve experienced immeasurable joy at the births of babies and body-quivering rage at the mistreatment of little ones. I know what makes me come alive. But why am I not doing it?
Throw the stupid box away
Maybe the thing you’ve been called to do just isn’t possible in this season of life. That’s ok. It just means it’s time to think outside the box.
Right now it’s not feasible for me to go start an orphanage in Africa (though, is it really not?), but I can offer to watch my friends’ kids while they go on dates to strengthen their marriages.
Having a mom and dad who love each other and have a strong marriage is an awesome gift to a child. Being a part of that would be an honor to me. And yet it would be so simple, so ordinary. And a way for my kids to see my joy in action.
Don’t put your calling in a box. Boxes lead to excuses and excuses lead to mediocrity. And I refuse to be a model of mediocrity for my children.
You don’t have to be rich or famous or holier-than-thou to create a meaningful legacy. You just have to be you – the you that you were created to be. Are you willing to step out of the box?
You weren’t just talking to yourself here, Nina. You were talking to me too.
This is a tough question. I’m with you though, I don’t think God will accept your excuses and I don’t think you should either. We had all kinds of debt when I started thinking about launching a business. Now we’re debt free except for our home. I didn’t let lack of funds stop me. Fear slowed me down, but I plowed ahead any way. I have no doubt you’ll end up doing the same thing.
By the way, I’d be scared of Jared in an alley too. Thankfully, he’ll be in Africa in a few weeks and I don’t have to sleep with one eye open any more. 🙂
Great post Nina! And thanks so much for your kind words about Ilea and I.
You have a great perspective on all of this. We all need our reminders, daily. Much like most things in life, great things don’t typically happen every night. They are a result of consistent attention and deliberate living.
I fully believe that each of us is capable of being whatever we want to be. We can believe things into existence. And I have done lots of things to keep me on that path, like tattooing statements of my faith and ethos on my body, spending time in meditative prayer, setting up systems for reminders and motivators and all sorts of other practices that keep me in line. And when I fall on my face, I use that lesson and grow from it. It’s all a state of mind. God give us that capability. We just have to tap into it.
And for the record, I promise not to scare you or Justin if I ever see you in an alley. At least not intentionally.
Loved the post.What an amazing story. I teach calling in my everyday world and the first thing that we almost do is realize that anything is possible. I love the name choice!There is no box. We must choose!
Whew, that’s a relief ;).
Fear is something I struggle to overcome, but I’ve been learning that it’s pretty much all in my mind. Thanks for the encouraging words!
That’s great advice, Jared. I’ll definitely be putting it somewhere where I’ll see it often so I remember that I need to deliberately make this happen – it won’t just fall into my lap.
And I’m just going to stay away from dark alleys. Just in case. 😉
Mike, thanks for the kind words. I’m glad to see that you’re helping people discover what they’ve been called to do. I love Gary Barkelow’s ministry and have gained tremendous value from it. Thanks for reading!
Nina,
I loved this post, you seem to be thinking the same things I am! David and I are always talking about things like this for our life.
Life isn’t about living a neat and tidy life it’s about living. I’m definately trying to make sure what I’m doing is what I need to be doing.
I don’t really know what else to say because you said it all so well. Thank you for challenging us!
NINA!! holy snap, you are an awesome writer!! thank you for your words. I love you SO much and hope for the day when our lives are less crazy and separate, and more mellow and geographically closer! You are a treasure.
xo
e.
Thanks so much Marixa! I really appreciate that. I’m trying really hard to start walking the walk instead of just talking about it. One step at a time, though, right?
Oh Miss e! It was so good to see you the other day. I was so glad I got to talk to you longer than a minute or two…and feed you almonds 😉 Hurry up and graduate from medical school already. I miss you!