"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." (Jeremiah 1:5)
Have you ever tried to be someone you're not? In my adolescence years, trying to discover "who" I was meant many awkward attempts at trying to be someone I wasn't, and wearing shoes that just didn't fit. Many times in the past I tried to change and/or modify myself into what others wanted me to be, or to live up to other people's expectations and standards. In the growing corporate culture that I have been influenced by, the word "prospective" is a common noun. It has taken me many years and continued spiritual growth to realize that not being true to me is not a perfect fit, and that it limits my potential to express the creative and unique individual that God created me to be. God chose each one of us to be a unique expression of Himself, and He expresses Himself differently in each of our individual lives.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:14)
"The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb He called me by name...He has hidden me in the shadow of His hand." (Isaiah 49:1)
"When we must choose between pleasing others or pleasing ourselves, it is right to please others. But when the choice is between pleasing others and pleasing God, pleasing others is wrong." (Unknown)
Linking up with Tracy today on Winsome Wednesday :)
How true your words are Denise! How easy it is to try to be like someone else instead of being who God uniquely created you to be. I used to wish I could sing well. Now only the little three year old children I sing with do not mind each day. He created me with a love for children and gifted me with a job where I get to spend the days with them. How awesome is that, especially during this season of my life?
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Beauty-FULL ...I really like that LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful artwork and thought provoking words. Maybe we do try too hard to be someone we're not so that we can be accepted. But your evaluation that then we are not who Christ made us to be is a good one. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Janis
I find it fascinating that though He created us all as individuals, with different gifts and abilities, when we work as one for the Lord, we reflect His true beauty!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
I so understand this post! I grew up pitifully shy and quiet and did not like who I was. It wasn't until I got older that I understood who God had me to be and that I was a masterpiece in HIS eyes and I became good, comfortable with who I was then. God gifted with me a good listening ear for others. Someone once told me that there were so many talkers in this world that there needed to be listeners like me for them :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so faithful to my blog!
Blessings
Kris
Denise,
ReplyDeleteCan I relate to this! for so long I tried to be what other people wanted me to be, the problem with that is everyone had different ideas as who I was supposed to be. The only person I need to strive to be, is the person God wants me to be.
Blessings to you Denise.
Hi I like your blog and I'm a new follower!! I hope your visit! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeletePeace & Love!
http://mamiholisticaygenial.blogspot.com/
Hi Denise,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I sometimes wish I had different strengths and talents than I do. Maybe someone who got rich playing sports or something. But it is good to know God created me the way He did. Thank you for sharing and God bless,
Ken
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog! It touches me. Now I read yours and feel much recognition.
ReplyDeleteThanks to my husband and all the things God shows me by His Word and other readings, I have discovered that I am precious in God's eyes.
The uncertainty and quiet anxiety that I felt during my adolescence, I recognize in my own girls. And I whisper in their ear: 'You're so beautiful, you're so precious, you're a beautiful creation of God.'
Wonderful post, Denise. It is so freeing and uplifting to see ourselves as God sees us--with all the gifts and graces that He sees in us. Thanks for the reminder. And thanks for stopping by my blog and dancing with me!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Pam
Hi Denise - great post. I love the pic that we are all made in God's image. Trying to be someone we are not never works out well. Trying to balance who we are is tough enough :) Firstly, precious friend, thank you for all your prayers and encouragement and secondly thank you for linking up with me. I so appreciate and love seeing you there. You are very precious and I love your heart
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Love this! WE may not always like our circumstances but we can choose to trust that He has something better.
ReplyDeleteWanting to be like someone else has been an age old problem for me until one day God said I created you special so let me show you who that is....changed my life.......
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful post. I am always encouraged when I come to visit you and you always lift me up with your comments when you visit me.....
nice post friend...thank you for sharing...wish i could visit everyone more frecuently but are many..and the hours are different but prayers and blessings on your way..remembering the real reason for the holidays..days of peace love and thinking...loves from our home to yours...maranatha..
ReplyDelete