Be Yourself

 

Learning to be yourself is quite an accomplishment in a world where there is so much pressure to be someone you are not. Some people are pressured to be one way because they want the approval of certain people. Others try to be someone who will impress, so they garner praise. Still, others try to be someone else because they don’t like who they are. Whatever the reason being, anyone but our true self will eventually bring us disappointment.

I believe the first step to being yourself is to find out who God is. How could I, the creature, have any idea who I am if I don’t know my creator. Knowing God changes everything about me. It gives me value both now and for eternity. Knowing God gives me purpose because he has ordained my path. David wrote, “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” (Psalms 139:13-16). Those words describe the purpose and value that come from God.

The second challenge is accepting who you are. This is big, and it will change your life. This is who I am, and I am thankful for my gifts, and I don’t have to envy another for his gifts. There are things I can’t do, but I will focus on what I can do. There are things I cannot be, but I will focus on what I can be. Accepting myself takes away the rivalry and allows me to appreciate my life and those God has placed in my path.

The final step is being who we are. Here is the challenge because there are reasons to be someone else, but I am determined to be just me. This includes being me at work, school, home, and church—there will not be any place that I forfeit my originality.

When we find out who God is, accept ourselves and determine to be ourselves, we have the greatest possibility of enjoying life, family, and ministry. We have the best chance of inspiring people with our sincerity. Learning to accept that some people will not like us is inevitable, but most people will, and most of all, God will always be pleased we have chosen to be who he made us to be.

The Way of Cain vs. the Way of John

 

The Way of Cain vs. the Way of John

 

The first murder recorded is Cain killing his brother when Cain’s emotions took control of him.  Jude calls his example the Way of Cain. Everything got its start over jealousy with Abel’s offering accepted by God and Cain’s resentment of God for rejecting his offering.

Cain resented Able’s good fortune and coveted it for himself. God described sin to Cain as a beast crouching at the door, ready to pounce on him (Gen 4:1-16). If Cain did not master it, the monster would destroy his life. God warned Cain that things would rapidly degenerate far beyond his control if he ignored the warning.

We get a portrayal of ourselves in the story of Cain and the kindness of God to help us control our emotions. What we see is not flattering because it is a depiction of our rebellion against God. That sinful nature does not belong just to Cain; it belongs to each of us. Anger, jealousy, and frustration must be dealt with head-on. They cannot be ignored because, left to themselves; they will become uncontrollable beasts.

There is, however, another way—the way of John. John the Baptist demonstrates a magnanimous heart so big that he has no time for petty jealousy or rivalry. The setting was that Jesus’ ministry was eclipsing John’s ministry, and John’s loyal disciples were jealous and felt threatened.

An argument developed out of comparison. Since both John and Jesus’ disciples were both baptizing, they wondered which baptism is superior? Is it John’s, or is it Jesus’?” John the Baptist’s disciples were jealous of what was happening. They came to John, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan — the one you testified about — well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him” (John 3:26).

What are we going to do?” this was hyperbole because not “all” were going to Jesus. John was still performing the work of baptism, but his disciples were worried that their master’s ministry was diminishing.

John’s answer is incredible: “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven” (John 3:27).

This is the way of John, and it is so much better than the way of Cain. There is a dysfunctional tendency to play down the achievements of others and uplift our own. If someone is doing well, we attribute it to something freakiest. But, if we are successful, it is because of our hard work and intelligence! Let us remember that “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” heaven.”  

John had this view of life and ministry because he had a firm idea of God’s sovereignty. He could recognize the success of others around him because God was giving those gifts. Selfishness and jealousy make us ugly. Belief in God’s sovereignty made us attractive.

John the Baptist found joy in serving God, not in his fame or titles. His illustration of the joy in the bridegroom describes how John looked at his ministry. Choose the Way of John over the Way of Cain!

 

(Parenting with a Long View) https://bovdbrooks.com/