"Just be yourself". How many times do we get that advice in our lives? People say that before a job interview, before a first date, when we move to a new place, begin a new career.... yet my problem is, I don't want to be myself. I want to be someone better. Throughout my life I have gotten caught in the notion of who I should be rather than who God made me to be. I try to live my life the way that people I admire and look up to live theirs. Let me give you a few examples...
My best friend is the mom I have always wanted to be. She and her husband had an idea for the life they wanted to create with their family and they have done just that. She is wise and creative in her parenting. Her kids are smart, creative, inventive and completely unique individuals. They've never been introduced to Pop Tarts or chicken nuggets. Instead, they get home-made granola bars, freshly grown vegetables out of the garden, and organic dairy and meat. I look at her life and think, "That's what I want to do!" The problem: I'm me, not Elaine.
My sister is a force to be reckoned with. Strong, brave and outspoken she speaks her mind and makes a difference in the lives of those she works for and with. She doesn't back down to the challenges of life, but rather, bowls them over with her indomitable spirit. So many times in my life I have been in situations where I thought, "If I were Libby, I would just say...." However, I am not Libby. I'm just me.
I could go on an on, but the sum of it all is this: God made ME. If he had wanted another Elaine or Libby, he would have made them. But he didn't. He made me. Trying to live my life like someone else is a waste of the precious time God has entrusted me with here on Earth. You see, God has a plan for my life, the same as he has a plan for yours. And he has placed within each of us all of the gifts we need to fulfill that purpose if we would just give ourselves over to him!
God tells us, "I know the plans I have for YOU! (Jeremiah 29) I made you a mighty branch so that you might grow my fruit and bring it to the world. (John 15). I formed you in the image of my Son (Romans 8), in the image of ME, that my purposes might be fulfilled in your life. (Ephesians 1) I need you to be the person I created you to be."
Talk about ultimate freedom!! The truth is, we don't have to be the person we think we should be. Instead, we must strive to be the person God created us to be. So that is my goal this year, to seek the purposes God would have for me, to let go of who I think I should be and focus on who God designed me to be. I don't know what the end result will look like, but I'm going to "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12)
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
My best friend is the mom I have always wanted to be. She and her husband had an idea for the life they wanted to create with their family and they have done just that. She is wise and creative in her parenting. Her kids are smart, creative, inventive and completely unique individuals. They've never been introduced to Pop Tarts or chicken nuggets. Instead, they get home-made granola bars, freshly grown vegetables out of the garden, and organic dairy and meat. I look at her life and think, "That's what I want to do!" The problem: I'm me, not Elaine.
My sister is a force to be reckoned with. Strong, brave and outspoken she speaks her mind and makes a difference in the lives of those she works for and with. She doesn't back down to the challenges of life, but rather, bowls them over with her indomitable spirit. So many times in my life I have been in situations where I thought, "If I were Libby, I would just say...." However, I am not Libby. I'm just me.
I could go on an on, but the sum of it all is this: God made ME. If he had wanted another Elaine or Libby, he would have made them. But he didn't. He made me. Trying to live my life like someone else is a waste of the precious time God has entrusted me with here on Earth. You see, God has a plan for my life, the same as he has a plan for yours. And he has placed within each of us all of the gifts we need to fulfill that purpose if we would just give ourselves over to him!
God tells us, "I know the plans I have for YOU! (Jeremiah 29) I made you a mighty branch so that you might grow my fruit and bring it to the world. (John 15). I formed you in the image of my Son (Romans 8), in the image of ME, that my purposes might be fulfilled in your life. (Ephesians 1) I need you to be the person I created you to be."
Talk about ultimate freedom!! The truth is, we don't have to be the person we think we should be. Instead, we must strive to be the person God created us to be. So that is my goal this year, to seek the purposes God would have for me, to let go of who I think I should be and focus on who God designed me to be. I don't know what the end result will look like, but I'm going to "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12)
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
what an awesome post! I have struggled with this myself. Thank you for the reminder that God made me and has a plan for me. I am special just like I am!! I just need to convince myself this! :)
ReplyDeleteJoy, that's the hard part! So much is easier said than done!! We can pray each other through this! :-)
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteOh I like this post! And the new look here.
Too often I comopare myself, and wonder if I couldn't do this or that better. If only I was more like her and her and her and her. I have wonderful people in my life, but I'm not them, either. I'm me. Too sarcastic, car key loser, loyal friend, and wandering soul...just me.
Funny. I sometimes think to myself that if I were you, I'd know what to do. I also want you to know that you helped influence me to be who I am. I think you are beautiful...just being you.
ReplyDelete