This story will be initiated with a personal question… for you. Have you ever tried to be like someone else? Have you ever wished you were like someone else, either in appearance, education, mannerism, personality or intellect?
I think we could all be blatantly honest here and say, “Yes we have.” In allowing that question to marinate in my own mind, I thought a good follow-up question would be, why? Why in the world would I like to be like someone else?
Many years have elapsed since I began that journey of attempting to walk and live in another’s shoes. Since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, His loving directives to me have always been, “BE YOURSELF. Be who I created you to be!”
God designed each of us as “unique individuals,” not copy cats or duplicates of another human being. We can admire the good character qualities of another and desire those for our own lives, but we’re to remain whom we are.
Some time ago I was sharing with an Australian woman my hesitation about my accent since moving to Australia. She strengthened me with an enthusiastic response: “Be yourself, you’re the only one most qualified.” We both laughed together about our different accents.
This “desire to be like another” gives no honor to God because our focus of interest is on what we would like to be, rather than His beautiful purpose for our lives.
When I first began to date, I vividly remember a guy that I thought was “a bit of all right.” When he asked me for a date, I began formulating in my mind how I would behave and look. Let me insert here that I love to laugh. And for some unrealistic reason, I thought that guys enjoyed being with very feminine and refined women.
The evening arrived and I was all geared up to appear “at my finest” (whatever that means), and I had adorned myself with an artificial flair and all the refined qualities I could muster. That means, I toned my laughter volume to a 3 instead of an 8. You don’t need to wonder any longer as to how the evening progressed. My “feminine, reserved demeanor” lasted less than ten minutes. I wasn’t having an enjoyable time at all because I was trying to be someone else. Everything changed the minute I decided to be “me.”
Why do we put on airs? We want acceptance, affirmation, and made to feel we are special. Well, God says we’re special because He created us. Let’s leave it at that. We’re special because of Him.
This façade we sometimes employ can exploit itself in other areas. I’m thinking of our talents and spiritual gifts (if we’re Christians). When we become Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, God is the One Who chooses the gifts or enablement that are given to each person. God grants to His children those gifts we need in order to be of greater benefit to His church, His family.
There is one thing that is abundantly clear – in God’s command is God’s enablement. If God asks us to do something, He will enable us to do it.
God gives His children spiritual gifts when we receive Christ, and they are cultivated through our walk with God. That’s maturity at work to make us more like Christ, and so our life will encourage and strengthen other believers as well. Our giftedness should be productive for His kingdom.
God promises that as we make Him our delight, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4, 5). This would surely include preparing us to serve Him in a way that will bring us not only purpose but satisfying fulfillment.
When we live out our abilities God has given us, it reminds me of being part of a living and vibrant orchestra. We’re all unique instruments seated in the family of God as though we are part of a grand symphony.
Our lives were written by the great Composer-Creator, God Himself. As God works in our lives, each of us are a part of an elaborate instrumental composition of beauty. Our lives are to bring honor and glory to God by how we allow Him to live out His life in each of our different design.
We’re to be light and salt, bringing truth with grace, beauty and light into all we do. All this plays out in how we behave, how we speak to and about others, as well as the inner attitudes and motives we exhibit as we live out our walk before others.
People look at our lives and form an opinion about God after watching us, working with us, and listening to us. A good “compass question” we might be asking ourselves is:
What do people think about God, after they’ve spent time with me?
That has become my “life goal.” So, I’m always in God’s Character Class as He adjusts, renews, and alters and corrects many facets of my being. So I’m definitely a work in progress! And I mean that.
But one thing His Word is teaching me is: it’s more important to God who I am becoming, than what I’ll ever do for Him. It’s my character building that He’s after.
So like you, circumstances aren’t always pleasant or happy, but He is more interested in my character than my comfort. It’s my character that displays any praise or honor to Him.
On a regular basis I’m reminded that in this Divine orchestra, I have a part to play in the “symphony of grace.” I do not need or wish to be a violin, if I’ve been assigned to be a music stand, a clarinet, or some other part.
It’s only when all the parts are following the Grand Conductor, with each person attentive to the notes on his or her music sheet, will the symphony be beautiful.
There is no need for comparison, because each “person” has their own instrumental place and piece of music to play, with especially designed notes for their life.
And God Himself makes everything beautiful……in His time….and in His way.
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.” Matthew 5:9
May our lives bring an expression of Christ in all that we do.
Cups of Cold Water 
Another great post!
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