Nelson Mandela is human, too.

I recently finished Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. I love to read about these giants who seem to have overcome the bustle of everyday business and used their days to help the suffering and lift the downtrodden. It's natural to envision these men and women as heroes who have mastered something I haven't yet-- to think of them as people to admire and praise. But what I love most about Mandela's writing is how honest he is. Gosh, at moments I'd find myself reading and thinking, really? How could he have been so wrong? Why would he do such a thing? And as I read his candid memoirs, it was reassuring. His humility was really powerful for me.

Mandela wasn't unique or particularly gifted among his tribe. He didn't have some spiritual vision or grand calling for South Africa. As a child he was clueless to the circumstance around him, just like most of us are in our youth. To his credit, he is a man of great conviction, and he acted according to his conscience, or as Christians believe, he followed the Holy Spirit's lead steadfastly and with little question. A man of great faith. (Mr. Mandela is a Christian, by the way, but his book rarely if ever talks about theology. I honestly didn't know his faith, or if he had one, until the end of the book, which was also kind of nice. It wasn't like he wrote it to spout how great of a religious man he was or teach the reader a lesson.) In fact, many times Mandela discussed how he had to abandon his family for the cause of his people. He talked about his divorces and how he didn't care for his mother in her old age as he had wished to. He even questions whether his fight for freedom was worth it. I found it very comforting to hear a man so remarkable think back on his life with such sentiment. I don't think it was regret for what he did, but a longing to have been able to do more. He had to sacrifice so much, and it was humbling to hear his remorse.

Anyway, this blog is about that feeling he expressed. I feel silly comparing my feelings with Mandela's, but that's the great thing about his voice, and for me, his message. Of course his is a story of a fight against oppression and the ugliness of apartheid, but when I read it, I could hear him saying, it wasn't me who accomplished this. I did what I could, but someone much grander was at work. I know if he did read my blog he would be kind and generous in my feeble attempt to live a life that is worth it. His humanity allowed me the honor of being able to relate to his inadequacies, that he was really just a human trying to do what he thought best. I'm sometimes held back because I'm caught up in expecting more of myself in all these facets of my life (Christian, wife, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, woman, employee, neighbor, etc.) Then I think of the great need in the world, and the expectation grows exponentially. Whether it's a cultural pressure, a religious expectation, just the way I was raised or whatever-- it is a big waste of time. I just don't believe these ideals we strive for, as well intentioned as we can sometimes be, are the point.

I happened across this blog, and it brought it home for me tonight. Maybe for you too?

 "I choke because my every day life begins to feel small compared to the expectation. And He breathes truth that a life is not made by lives saved or bellies fed or words written. To adore the one who created the Heavens and the Earth, to give thanks for who He is and all He has given, to worship and commune with Holy God, whispering in the quiet, clinging in the noise, believing in all circumstances – this is what makes a life large."  Katie Davis @ kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com

I dedicate this blog to the one who is always there for me and who accomplishes good in me and through me. If only I could properly thank you. You are always pointing me in the right direction, and turning me back when I go wrong. 

What can I do but thank you, what can I do but give my life to you? Hallelujah. 

What Can I Do?