Here's my thought for today:
God designed you, just as you are. Let that sink in.
You know that person you look at wistfully?
God doesn’t want you to be them. He doesn’t want you to have their strengths, achievements, looks, family, or life. Yes, he wants you to imitate good character. But he wants you to shine in who YOU are, fulfilling who you were created to be.
"If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design." (I Corinthians 12:17-18)
We've got to quit envying others. We have to stop looking at social media and wishing we could be like the people we see. We have to stop driving ourselves by comparing ourselves to others.
But here’s the trouble. Sometimes we aren’t clear on who we are, apart from anyone else.
So today, I’m going to help you find YOUR shine! Take a moment, and write a list of times in your life when you felt fully alive, like your heart was singing, and your soul was dancing.
For me, it was when I was in marching band, strutting all out to the drum beat in a parade. It was when I was waitressing, bustling about, serving people with a purpose. Now, it’s when I dive deep in scripture study. It’s when God works through me to be a part of someone’s breakthrough.
What’s on your list? These things are unique to you. They’re not something you pretend to be, or think you should like. They’re things that are you with every fiber of your being.
You are so cool!!!
So, my gift for you today is to encourage you to shine in who you are.
Yes, you have responsibilities. Yes, you need to deny self.
But give yourself permission do something that makes you feel vibrant, and fully you.
“And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.” (2 Samuel 6:14)
You know, no one else danced that day. David wasn’t following the crowd.
Instead, David expressed what was deep in his heart, not caring what anyone thought.
Today, love God with all that you are, and let that deep, good stuff come out. Celebrate God, and who you are through him.
And then, may that overflow to the body, and all who are in your life.