Does the world need you?

By María Rangel Cardenas

Yes!!!

The world needs your talents, your insight, your heart. 

God created you for a special purpose. Only you would do. And He wants you to pursue this purpose even with all of your imperfections, all of your messiness. 

Oftentimes, it is in realizing our own weakness that we come to see our need to rely on the strength and the power of God.

And He will help you! He wants you to trust that He will “fill the gaps” of your work with his own perfection. 

"Start being brave about everything. Drive out darkness and spread light. Don't look at your weaknesses. Realize instead that in Christ Crucified you can do everything." —St. Catherine of Siena

This photo, and the following, are from my favorite walk along the Mojave riverbed near our home.

But this can be hard to do.

It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. 

I have lived a large part of my life with a deep fear of rejection: afraid of not being good enough, kind enough, holy enough, talented enough to be worthy of consideration, admiration, or even love.

These are the thoughts that still can paralyze my personal growth as well as my art.

Why try if I know I will not be perfect? What if I know someone else could do that thing better than I could? 

Perhaps, we should reflect on sunsets to find the answer.

There is a favorite walk that I like to take with my children. It is just steps from our home here in the high desert, where we can see the sunset.

There is always a moment of joyful expectation as we round the corner just before we see the full view. And sometimes the clouds, the light, and all the colors make me catch my breath.  

Each sunset is unique and beautiful. Some sunsets are spectacular; some more simple. Each one, just perfect.

I am so grateful for these countless sunsets. Each one has a special charm that is unique. Each one reflects the glory and the beauty of God in their own way.

We are very similar to these sunsets. Our efforts are valuable and good, even if they look different from other people's. 

Sometimes, it is exactly our vulnerability and imperfections that allow the beauty and goodness of God to shine through. 

May you let your unique and beautiful colors burst forth with eager and unfettered joy.

The world will be all the better for it.

"My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely."

—Song of Songs 2:14

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"Everything starts with one person...I don't care if you're 5 or 105, God from all eternity chose you to be where you are, at this time in history, to change the world."

—Mother Angelica (the spunky and insightful founder of EWTN)

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