Noblesse Oblige
Surely, you can’t mean me. There must be some mistake.
In every tale of triumph, there is a moment when the protagonist doubts himself certain that he lacks the necessary talent, knowledge, or courage to meet the challenges that lie in his path.
In a culture of pivoting thumbs, it is easy to slip into the habit of self-doubt. Whether externally messaged in a 1,000 different ways or simply as the verdict passed down through the court of our own perceptions, the certainty that there must be some mistake is the rally cry of all would-be heroes.
It is also the prelude to greatness.
Through the years, I have had a conversation over and over with different people. The pattern is always the same. They have been tasked with something they have deemed beyond their capabilities. They decide to beg off and come to me for a kind of absolution. Bottom line, they are asking that I affirm their self-doubt.
What they won’t say out loud is that their soul rejoices at the idea of taking on the task. That the greatness within them is desperate for a chance at bat.
They don’t say this because they don’t dare. The idea of openly acknowledging our greatness seems braggadocios maybe even impertinent. My friends and I refer to this as the “little old me” syndrome. “Little old me? I couldn’t possibly.”
And yet…
And yet, there is the greatness. Desperately hoping.
Noblisse oblige refers to the inherent obligation of nobility to act with honor, kindliness, and generosity. While it may seem to be specific to a sovereign society, it illustrates the universal truth that all our gifts are nothing if we’re not generous with them.
Each of us has been given certain unique talents. Every single one of us. Remarkable, great, useful talents. And it is our obligation and privilege to identify and share them.
Sharing ourselves almost always takes courage.
Yet, giving of this sort is love in its most fundamental form. These talents were made to be used. And so this courage becomes a mark of our spiritual maturity.
The question is never, am I to be a great hero?
Rather it is, what is my greatness…how am I to share it?
