Can I be real for a minute? I don’t like dressing up in fancy clothes. I’d much prefer jeans and a sweater. I don’t care about painted nails and pedicures. I’d rather trim my nails short and be comfortable. I’m not charming and girlish. I AM ME!
I carry extra pounds on my frame and am not petite like the Hollywood magazines portray women. My hair is not long and flowing or bouncing curl perfect, but that’s okay. God crafted us in all shapes and sizes. I AM ME!
For years I tried to fit in to the mold of what I thought a woman should be. I felt “less than” if I didn’t look like, talk like, or act like the woman walking beside me. It created immense self-doubt until I embraced the truth. I AM ME!
God created me with unique gifts and talents. I’m much more suited to watching football or shooting guns instead of shopping or having tea parties. He has a distinct purpose in mind for my journey. I AM ME!
God doesn’t ask me to be anybody but who I am—who He designed me to be. Yes, He desires that we be kind, humble, generous, compassionate, and loving. But He is quite happy for us to be His hands and feet without wearing the perfect outfit or hiding behind a mask.
We are each exceptionally made, molded, and formed by the great Creator for the purpose He has chosen. We don’t have to walk the same path as those around us, but we must tread the way God points us. He asks us to embrace our journey, our personality, our appearance and live a life according to His calling.
What about you? Are you being real? Ask yourself a few questions:
- What talents or traits do I possess that are God-given?
- Looking at this year, what is one purpose I realize God has selected me to pursue?
- Am I doing anything that is counterproductive to my authentic self?
Just like I finally had a grand epiphany and discovered who I am, have you done the same? Who are you? How does God want to use you?
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. — Psalm 139:13-16