How did I get here?

How did I get here?

“You may find yourself, living in a shotgun shack. You may find yourself in another part of the world. You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile. You may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife. You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?” David Byrne

David Byrne’s “Once in a Lifetime” has always been toward the top of my song list. When you think about it, Byrne poses an interesting question causing one to stop and reflect.

How did I get here?

Think about the path you have traveled. When you turn around and look back, the path is illuminated. However, when you were in the middle of the journey, you had no clue what the future held and no control over certain circumstances or events that would transpire.

We try to control as much of the journey as we can, but, at the end of the day, the journey always has unforecasted twists and turns.

Once on my journey, as I had done countless times, I grabbed a taxi in Buenos Aires. Thirty minutes later, I was forced to get out of the taxi, outside of the city. Foreign country. Didn’t speak the language. No cars. Pitch black. No cell phones. No way out. A guy was screaming at me, trying to force me down a side road.

Looking back on that situation, I realize the helplessness of the situation. I had zero control of my deliverance.

I suppose we all have times like that on our journey. Those unforecasted events, those uncontrollable situations, those storms that come out of nowhere. However, it is in those events that I believe we see one aspect of the character of God.

“My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.” Job 42:5

Job makes this statement in the middle of an uncontrollable situation, after he had lost everything – sons, daughters, money. As Job was delivered from the situation, he realized the magnitude of God. It is one thing to hear, another thing to see.

So, how did we get here?

It is only by the grace of a patient, controlling God. That is my story. That is your story.

It is a great thing to reflect on your journey. Reflection brings humility, gratefulness, and thankfulness, as you remember events, unforecasted storms, and people that helped along the way. This is your story.

And, your story is exactly what others need to hear today. Never hide your story, as nothing impacts another more than hearing from someone who has walked the road, been in the fight, seen the deliverance.

There is hope in all of our stories that others need to hear. Lead with your story in hand.

Impact others. Live generously