So many of us struggle to simply ‘be ourselves,’ we feel pressure to please other people and their expectations. We can start to believe media influences that we all should conform to a certain style and behaviour. But our Father God is a master craftsman. We are not ‘mass produced,’ we are all uniquely and wonderfully made by God. We are called to be who God created us to be – and our desire is to please Him.
God made you unique
“For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
The amplified Bible expands on the thought that we are God’s workmanship, and states ‘His own master work, a work of art’. Isn’t that a beautiful thought? Each one of us, regardless of how anyone else sees us, is designed by God. We are reborn in Christ Jesus. And we are being renewed to be who God created us to be, uniquely and wonderfully made, before life did its damage. We are transformed, by faith in Jesus, for the life that God has prearranged and made ready for us. The full and abundant life, that Jesus won for us, to do the will of the Father.
In the Biblical stories of Deborah and Jael, we have two women of faith with the wisdom and confidence to be themselves. God beautifully wove their stories together. But we can see clearly that one could not be the other – they were individual and unique. And God had individual and unique plans for their lives, just as He does for you.
You are an authentic original, so don’t be tempted to imitate someone else.
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Comparing Yourself to Others is not Wise
Comparison is as old as time and the consequences are there for us to see in Scripture. Right at the beginning, from Genesis onwards, it has been a wile of the enemy. Comparison ignites dissatisfaction, jealousy and envy.
In her book “From a Mile Behind: Learning to outrun comparison and live your authentic life.” Breonna Rostic refers comparison back to the fall of Adam and Eve. Satan lied and deceived Eve by sowing a seed of comparison in her mind. He lied, by telling her that she would not die if she ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Satan lied and deceived her. He told her she would be ‘like God knowing good and evil’. No longer satisfied with all that they had, Eve reached out for ‘more’. And changed the course of human history, as sin and disobedience brought alienation from God.
Which led on to the story of Cain and Abel. Rather than examining the reasons why his offering was not received favourably from God, Cain compared himself to his brother. And we all know how that turned out….
We may think that the effect of comparison in our lives is far less dramatic. But it is toxic and harmful and erodes our relationship with God and with others.
Comparison kills Contentment
We are all made in the image of God. Our character has the potential to reflect an aspect of God’s character. He has made us all different and we should celebrate our differences. Rather than being threatened by the gifts and talents of others, we should look for the possibilities that they bring to compliment one another. There is power in collaboration, and in the willingness to work together.
We can be secure in the knowledge that God has a place for each one of us. He will make the way for our gifts to operate, in His perfect timing. And out of that security comes a new confidence. We can trust in God for our way forward, and develop a different mindset.
“Agree with each other, love each other be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.”
Philippians 2:3-5 MSG
Our True Identity
We are released and set free to be ourselves, uniquely and wonderfully made by God, knowing our true identity. And our true identity is as a child of God, who God says we are, and how He views us. Be who God created you to be!
“When you learn to appreciate your position, you’ll no longer doubt your importance.”
Breonna Rostic
In knowing who we are in Christ Jesus brings a new confidence and assurance. We have a firm foundation to build our lives on. At times we may need to search Scripture, for those affirmations of who we are in God’s sight, to build up our faith. I wrote a little booklet for those moments when we are struggling.
There are those times when we need to encourage and strengthen ourselves through the truth of God’s Word. To remind ourselves of how much God loves us. That, in fact, He delights in us, and is ever-present with us. God is the giver of good gifts and desires to bless us. This renewed perspective of our true identity, enables us to walk securely in the freedom and victory that Jesus has already won for us and to be ourselves in Him!
Sharon Hazel
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It has always been my prayer to be who He wants me to be.
Learning my identity in Christ has changed my life! Thank you for this beautiful post! ?
“We can be secure in the knowledge that God has a place for each one of us. He will make the way for our gifts to operate, in His perfect timing.” I needed to hear this today. Thank you! Wonderful post!
Amen Sharon. And again I say Amen. Thank you for sharing such a blessed post. Blessings.
Sharon, lately I have been thinking a lot about comparison and our position in Christ. This was just an encouraging post in many ways and I am grateful to have read these words > “We can be secure in the knowledge that God has a place for each one of us. He will make the way for our gifts to operate, in His perfect timing.” Blessings!
Comparison is such an easy trap to fall into and one we need to be on our guard against – thank you Joanne for your response, blessings to you too!
So comforting and freeing to know who I am in Christ. And letting go of comparison lets me be me. Thankful God doesn’t create cookie-cutter people.
Love that ‘cookie-cutter’ people ???? and yes so thankful that we are accepted aa we are!