What it Takes to Inspire Others
Just another thought I jotted down while at CMS (Christian Music Summit) last weekend at Overlake Christian Church.
Matt Redman, somewhere in the middle of talking about how he came about writing one of this songs, said something interesting that grabbed my attention. He said two words in one sentence that, put together, make a lot of sense but seem so contrary.
PERSIRE and INSPIRE
"You've got to perspire in order to inspire" - is how I translated it. In other words, you can't expect people to be inspired by random, spontaneous (by the way, good preparation and planning always makes room for spontaneity to occur) epiphanies or events. Sometimes inspiration is perceived to be this airy fairy feeling that whimsically comes from an experience that could not have been planned or purposed.
I do not believe people are inspired by the impossible, but by the possible. But the impossible becomes possible through hard work, study, perseverance, and some sweat and tears.
I think that's why inspiration is special, because not everyone is willing to go through that--but when we see it, when we experience it, we are in awe and appreciation of all that went into it despite not knowing the full measure of the actual sweat that went into it.
Now, there are times when you look at the mountains or nature and are just in awe. But I think inspiration moves you to do something, to act. Inspiration is not wonder, awe, or a feeling. It's an emotion that moves you to create, dream, and work to make that dream come true.
You just can't expect to inspire others if you aren't willing to perspire.
