Do It Anyway

I have a friend who lives her faith out loud.  She loves big even when she doesn’t have to!  She is always there to pray for you or offer a word of encouragement, even when she’s busy.  She isn’t concerned what others might think about the fact that she is a Jesus freak.

She does it anyway.

This friend of mine isn’t easily offended.  She doesn’t mind if what she wants or needs ends up at the bottom of the list.

In fact, she will usually put you first anyway.

She provides such a great example for us, because she isn’t afraid to be completely sold out for Christ.  She’s seen what He has done in her life and so she wants to extend that grace with others.

You know who she reminds me of?  Mother Teresa.

The following poem called “Final Analysis” is engraved on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta.  It’s a revision, attributed to Mother Teresa, of an earlier poem by Kent Keith.

This is a great example of putting things into perspective and doing them “anyway.”

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;  Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;  Give the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.

We need to do what we know is right… even when others don’t agree.  We need to love others… even when they are off-the-charts frustrating.  We need to find joy in our lives… even when others work overtime to bring us down.

Can we do that?  Not a chance.

What I mean is… not on our own.  We need the supernatural power of Christ.  It’s impossible in our own strength.

“But he told me: ‘My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.’ So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (GWT)

With Christ… we can do anything.  His strength makes it possible.  So when people or situations try to stop us from doing what Christ has given us the power to do…

Do it anyway.

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