Move over, Sasha Fierce. Make room for Adele.
This week, Adele became one of my role models for being true to yourself. If you somehow missed the news, she gave a firm “no”to a pretty big offer. She said no to the Super Bowl Halftime Performance.
Here are three things Adele’s RSVP of no can teach us about being true to ourselves:
Know your gifts. Adele has never been one to mince words, and turning down this invite is no different. As she told her concert-goers, “Come on, that show {the Super Bowl halftime performance} is not about music.” The halftime show, known for it’s high-energy and pyrotechnics, is simply just not Adele. Her performance strengths lie in her ability to sing words in harmony and with a vocal strength most of us can only dream of achieving in the privacy of our own shower. Though her vocal talents would be no doubt entertaining, it’s not the right fit for the halftime show. Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that we have unity and diversity with the gifts we are given. We can’t all be the same, but we can all use our gifts for good.
Don’t be afraid to admit your weaknesses. “I don’t dance, or anything like that,” said Adele. And she said it with no apologies. Trying to be everything to everyone will only end in exhaustion. Embrace your strengths and weaknesses – they’re both part of what make you, you. Not to mention, it’s in our weaknesses that Christ’s strength is magnified: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Stay in your own lane. By owning her gifts and not being afraid to admit her weaknesses, Adele shines in her own right. She doesn’t risk dulling her performance by trying to add a layer to herself that is not representative of the performer (or woman) that she is. Today’s environment is full of pressure to conform. We look at those we admire and who have achieved success and think we have to take the same path to fulfill our purpose. That’s a lie the world wants us to believe and it’s not true. Just because singing and dancing is part of Beyonce’s success, it doesn’t mean Adele (or any of us) has to have both of those skills those to be successful in her own right. We’ve each been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Keep the focus on who you are, the gifts you’ve been given, and your unique path.
Own your strengths. Own your weaknesses. Use them both to catapult you into your own version of success. After all, the main part of being unique is the YOU!