Alone…

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a reception for Immaculee Ilibigiza. If you have not read her book, Left to Tell, please take the time to do so. She survived the genocide in Rwanda back in 1994. Her story is amazing. To meet her was better than meeting Brett Favre, Barry Bonds, Bill Clinton, or Bob Dole for me.

She recalled her story and you could still feel her pain as if the killings had just happened. You could also feel her inner triumph. You could feel her faith in God. You could feel her CORE strength. You could feel her forgiving and loving heart. She melted me.

Here is something I’ve noticed as I study people like Immaculee and countless other real builders and leaders. This is not an easy message to hear. You may not like what you read. You may disagree. You may argue another point. Please feel free to do so.

One day, you will be ALONE.

Along your builders journey there will be real adversity. You will become attractive and many followers will join you in your journey. You will gain popularity and power. You will taste success. You will encounter real danger. You will fall. You will taste defeat. You will need the help and support of true friends. A few may respond. You will need and want someone to lean upon. You will cry out for help. You will hear no answer. No one will come to your rescue. You will feel like you’ve been abandoned.

You will be ALONE.

Immaculee would agree completely. She witnessed first hand her strong father, surrounded by 10,000 “followers” gathered in the front yard, then suddenly ALONE as he rushed the enemy with nothing but a spear. She witnessed it personally when laying in a ‘3 by 4’ bathroom with 7 other women and hearing her best friend, just outside the window, denying she knew her and wanting her dead.

Every great builder will experience the desert.

This is WHY we build strength NOW. This is why we cultivate our interior life. Because, one day you and I will be ALONE. The question is a simple one.

Will we stand ALONE or will we join the RULING MAJORITY?

Immacullee is STANDING with a huge following today. Her popularity as an author and speaker is gaining her many fans. She stood ALONE. She will again.

Lord Jesus I pray that YOU will give me the strength to STAND. I know, one day, I will be asked to STAND ALONE. Give me your strength, power, and LOVE.

Who inspires you?

Do you know what you believe?

Do you have a dream worth dying for?

Do you always follow the ruling majority?

Are you preparing your inner life for the struggle ahead?

Where does your strength reside?

What is it’s source?

How reliable is it’s POWER?

Are you able to spend time with yourself….alone?

Slow down and reflect.