Sunday, April 15, 2012

Clichés and Constants

Everyone has heard the phrases "be real" or "be yourself" at some point in their life. But in a world that's become so near-sighted and superficial, that's not as easy as it sounds. Nevertheless... whether it be easy or not... the advice is no less important.

I believe, with all my heart, that every person is unique. (Don't worry, I'm not gonna compare anybody to snowflakes here). My intention isn't to create warm cozy feelings. Sure, those are great... and kinda come with the territory. But here's a question that might pause the cozy for a sec. What good does being unique do, if all we try to do is modify ourselves to look like every other unique individual??
I don't know about you, but I've never seen a snowflake looking around at all the other snowflakes, breaking off little bits of ice here and there, until it resembles one which it considers to be the optimum snowflake. (OK I didn't say I wouldn't use ANY snowflake analogies).

It's so incredibly easy to look around and see what other people are doing, and become intimidated and almost scared! At least that's the way it is for me. This thing we do, comparison, is a tricky little bugger. Teddy Roosevelt said once that "Comparison is the thief of joy". I couldn't agree more, Teddy.
Being a Senior in high school, getting ready to graduate, it's seems like the opportunities for comparison are reaching record levels. 'Tis the season for "so what do you want to do?" and "so-and-do is doing...[insert incredibly ambitious endeavor here]". Friends are applying, and being accepted to schools, working jobs, driving cars, etc. It would be more than easy to look at my life currently-- not really being sure what I want to do at all, not having applied for any scholarships or schools, no job, no PERMIT much less a car-- and see... failure. It appears as though while every one else is riding their 10-speeds off into the sunset... I'm still huffin' and puffin' my way up the hill on my little tricycle.

But is that really how it is? Let's go back to the warm fuzzy's for a moment, shall we?

I was created by God for a purpose. I was purchased with a high price. I am nothing, and yet when God looks at me, he sees the beauty of his son in me. This being said... I am a Christian. First and foremost my purpose is to worship my Father, the King of Kings. Yeah, that's right. He's my daddy. Secondly my purpose is to love my neighbors. Tell them about my Father, and about his love for them.
Wait wait WAIIIT. Hmm. This means my purpose in life isn't a degree? Not... money... or a car... social circles, or even finding my Mr. Darcy?? Lol.

Yeah... I guess not. Now hold up. This doesn't mean that you have just been relieved of any of these tasks/endeavors. Every single one of those things could be an instrument used for fulfilling God's purpose for you. It may be very clear to you that God's directing you toward a very specific vocation, whether it be sports, medicine, craftsmanship, philosophy, or ministry, etc. And if so, that makes it a responsibility. But if not... don't be discouraged. Live life to honor God. The word says "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up in honor".  Whether you're a shoe-shiner, or a entrepreneur... it shouldn't make a difference in your ultimate goal- your ultimate job description. Love God... love people.

Don't get so caught up in titles and what other people may say you're supposed to do, that you forget what has been done for you. How you've got to respond to that, is more important than anything. I'm talking to myself here. What we've talked about here, is just one aspect of a much larger issue. This calling of "being ourselves" or better yet who God made us to be, applies to all of life. One way that God's been showing this to me, is in the area of worship leading. Maybe I'll post about that another time. But meanwhile, I'm praying that I'll be able to see my life, my circumstances, in the right view- from God's perspective; to the best of my ability.

Here we go!

No comments:

Post a Comment