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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Man in the Arena

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

~Theodore Roosevelt, excerpted from the speech “Citizenship in a Republic” delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910.

This is one of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite Presidents. While TR was delivering this for public service, it has had a different meaning for me as I grow older. Its impact can be seen in our lives as we follow/love/obey Him who made us. It doesn't matter, you see what the critic says. It doesn't matter who is standing outside the arena or the fire telling you that something can't be done, it is crazy, close-minded, and futile to live for Jesus. It only matter what God thinks. If He is pleased, and He is if we love Him with all our heart,soul,mind and strength along with loving each other above ourselves, then everything is good. End of story.

Be encouraged today. Be strong. Know that you are loved. I need this every once in a while, so I figure someone else does too.

Thankful,

danl

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