Embrace the Real You

We are all God’s children. We are all made in His image. It’s time we get real and embrace our life and our uniqueness. We can’t hide from who we are. If we succumb to peer pressure and attempt to change to please others, that is like telling God His design is flawed.

There are likely people in our past, present, and future who want to change us. They’d like nothing more than to make us a little more like the image they have conjured up in their mind of how we should be.

Unfortunately, it’s likely that we do that to other people as well. For some reason we think everyone has to be like us and think like us. Sometimes, the way we live our lives or the words we speak may offend others. Why do we do this to each other? We judge others by their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions. It’s wrong.

That does not mean we are without sin. There are some strict "do nots" in the Bible: no adultery, no fornication, no lying, no stealing, and so on. However, there is no dictation as to how we should do the dishes or how we should clean a bathroom. I haven’t yet found a verse in the Bible that dictates whether we should or shouldn’t put our kids in sports, write a book, or style our hair either.

I think it is time we all get real. It is time to get past our past mistakes, failures, and mindsets. We should learn from it and repent if we should, but we must move on. We must choose to do better. It’s also time we embrace our uniqueness. God didn’t make us all the same on purpose. He has a brilliant blueprint for each one of us. No two will look alike.

We should not try to fit into a mold. Just be you. Be the best YOU that you can be, whether you are single, married, working, a mom, or whomever you are. For most of us the only stumbling block in our way is ourselves. You don’t try something different for fear of not being accepted or loved. And then there is that nagging thought of, “What if someone says something about it?” I know. I’ve been there and still go there from time to time.

We may have done wrong in the past, but we have an amazing future and without that past we would not be who we are today. We should want to live our life in a way that pays homage to what our Savior did for us. We should want to live in such a way that brings glory to His name, serves others, and represents love.

We go through phases. We go through seasons in life. It is what we do with all of those experiences that makes a difference. We can use it for good or bad. I choose to have a good perspective and use it to grow. Everything in life is either a stepping stone or a stumbling block.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, as I look into Your Word, I want to thank You for Your concern and care for the details of my life. Today has its difficulties and stress. May I be faithful to trust in Your perfect and personal management of the world around me...and me! Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Creating a Beautiful Life by Elizabeth George—Each new day presents opportunities to grow your faith, manage your work and goals, and make good use of the time God gives you. This book for busy women will help you create a more beautiful and productive life.

REFLECT:

Whenever you are in a tough situation and you don’t know what to do just ask yourself, “Do you want to stumble or do you want to climb?” Are you ready to embrace the REAL you?

REMEMBER:

Whenever your life seems to be out of control or you feel like the world and its pressures are crashing in on you, realize God is sovereign and He created you perfectly, and in His image, just the way you are.