Whoa! What? Do I see a dent?

One of the toughest lessons we all have to learn in life is this: our leaders are human, too. Twila Paris wrote a song back in 1984 called, The Warrior is a Child. I sang it it for a pastor’s appreciation once when I was a teenager. Hey – I don’t sing much anymore! It was never my main gift, and I embraced that truth years ago. But, I can remember practicing that song and wondering what it really meant. Not long after, it all became very clear to me. I won’t tell you how, that’s not the purpose of this writing. I will say, it was an eye-opener.

“The idiom ‘chink in one’s armor’ refers to an area of vulnerability. It has traditionally been used to refer to a weak spot in a figurative suit of armor.”  “A vulnerable area, as in, Putting things off to the last minute is the chink in Pat’s armor and is bound to get her in trouble one day. This term relies on chink in the sense of “a crack or gap,” a meaning dating from about 1400 and used figuratively since the mid-1600s.”

This phrase can be used to describe leaders and people we look up to, today. You can’t really see a chink, a dent, or a ding in a suit of armor from a distance. It is when we begin to get closer to the man or woman in the armor that we notice some things that are less than perfect.

Perhaps they say something they shouldn’t have during a season of frustration or weariness. Maybe they don’t follow through with a promise due to overbooking or overlooking. It might be that they’re not living up to your expectations of them. Maybe they’re not doing everything you personally think they should. Possibly they get overcommitted and seem a bit distant at times. They might seem snippy or snappy because they’re stressed to the max. Side note: I assume we all know I’m not talking about sin or immoral living!! I’m talking about humanness. We tend to think those we look up to, those who are gifted, who flow in dynamic ways, who seem so absolutely wonderful in every way, have no problems, or never get tired. Not so.

I want to encourage you to remember that there is only One perfect, and His name is Jesus Christ. He is the only One who has ever lived life down here completely sinless. Thank God He did – that gave Him the ability to be slain as THE pure, spotless Lamb, and take away our sins. We humans, are restricted and limited. We have capacities. For some, especially leaders, who have an incredible amount of responsibility, may fill their capacities and then overextend at times. Be patient. When the time comes, you get so close, and you notice a little chink in their armor, be surprised – I give you permission, but don’t stare at it, don’t dwell on it, don’t turn a spotlight to it, don’t zone in. PRAY for them and remember, the warrior is a child. God’s child.

When you see the dent, think, “Grace”.

Twila Paris – The Warrior is a Child

Lately I’ve been winning
Battles left and right
But even winners can get
Wounded in the fight
People say that I’m amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don’t see inside of me
I’m hiding all the tears

They don’t know that
I go running home when I fall down
They don’t know Who picks me
Up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I’m amazing
Never face retreat
But they don’t see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

They don’t know that I go
Running home when I fall down
They don’t know Who picks me
Up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child