Authentically Me

Are you happy with who you are?

Do you wonder if that is even possible?

Is it prideful to be happy with who you are?

Jeremiah struggled with his self-image and received this word from the Lord...

“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

As followers of Christ...We are also chosen, set apart, and appointed by God.

What does it mean to be Chosen?

“He has selected you, and everything about you, to participate in the work He is doing at this point in history. Like a coach who methodically considers which runner to put on the track at particular stages of a relay race, God’s choice of you for this leg of the marathon was by design.” – The Resolution for Women

I believe that God has chosen each us for a particular purpose based on the decisions He knew that we would make throughout our lives.

God views our lives in their entirety.

He knows the challenges we will face...before we face them.

He knows how we will respond in any given situation.

Sometimes we make decisions that line up with His will and sometimes we make decisions that don’t line up with His will.

Either way...He knows how He will be able to use those situations to bring Glory to Him.

You don’t have to be perfect to be chosen...All He asks is for you to willing to submit to the Greater calling He has placed on your life.

What does it mean to be Set Apart?

“You’re not like all the other relay runners. If you spend all your time looking at the runner behind you or focusing on the one ahead of you, wishing you had their skills and talents, your lane will go unattended.” – The Resolution for Women

God chose to create you the way you are for a reason and a purpose.

We are all uniquely designed by the Creator of the Universe.

Who are we to question whether He did a good job or not?

Unfortunately...What do we tend to focus on about ourselves?

Things we wish were different.
Weaknesses.

Why do we tend to focus on our weaknesses?

We desire to be better or different.
We are concerned with how others view us.
Because our weaknesses are being pointed out directly or indirectly by others (the media, bosses, co-workers, parents, spouses, siblings, friends, teachers, and pastors)...even if it's done in a loving way or to help us.

It’s no wonder our weaknesses are at the forefront of our thinking.

 

I am very fortunate...as a lot of you probably are too...to have people in my life who encourage me and help me to see my strengths.

Do you feel like it is considered prideful for us to focus on our strengths?

I believe we need to have a healthy balance.
We need to be aware of our weaknesses but not obsess about them.
We need to be aware of our strengths but not be boastful about them.

It is very important for us to be aware of our strengths.

 

Take a moment to make a list of as many of your strengths as you can think of.

If you have a hard time discerning what your strengths are...ask someone.

Ask a close friend, your husband, your children, or other family members.

Make a habit of pointing out other peoples strengths.

They may not view something as a strength until you point it out to them.

God can use us in our strengths as well as our weaknesses.

How does God use our strengths?

To encourage others.
To bless others.
To meet the needs of others.
To reveal Himself.

How can God use our weaknesses?

To help us relate to others.
To display His strength.

What are some ways God has used you in your weaknesses?

During my childhood and teenage years I was very “socially challenged”.

In other words...I was extremely shy and introverted.
I hated this about myself and was frustrated about not being able to change it.
During my late teens or early twenties...a word of the Lord was spoken over my life that I would have the boldness of Peter. I wasn’t instantly indued with boldness but over time I have seen a major shift in that direction. God has allowed me to be placed in situations where boldness was required in order to be successful and bring glory to Him. Those situations have not always been the most comfortable but He has always empowered and equipped me with what I needed for His purpose to be fulfilled.

The following scripture has become very real to me throughout the years...

^“9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I have also been able to look back and see how my being shy and introverted gave me the opportunity to soak in all that was going on around me and to learn and grow from that.

This made me realize that things we perceive as weaknesses may not be weaknesses at all...just differences.

We are all created to be uniquely us...unlike anyone else...to fulfill the role God has designed for us.

 

You have an opportunity to impact the world around you in a way that no one else can. 

What does it mean to be Appointed?

Selected or designated to fulfill a specific task.

We have been given the task of fulfilling the plan God has for us based on the gifts, talents, abilities, passions, interests, strengths, and yes...weaknesses that He has given us.

We are the Body of Christ and all have a specific function to perform.

^“4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

^“16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? ...¹⁸ But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where would the body be?” – 1 Corinthians 12:16-19

I encourage you to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 12:1-31.

Let’s all do our part for the Greater purpose for which we have been chosen, set apart, and appointed to fulfill.

 

Resolution #3 – Authentically Me

I will accept and celebrate my uniqueness, and will esteem

And encourage the distinctions I admire in others. 

 

Reading for March 9th: Pages 67-85 (Faithfully His)