Friday, October 24, 2008

Originality

Yesterday I woke up earlier than normal. Guess there is a lot more on my mind these days. I like mornings but it was especially great to have the extra time with my Father .

Lately, I had several days where I was feeling driven and anxious. I found myself comparing what I've accomplished with others. (Comparisons are deadly by the way.)
Look at all the books he's written while pastoring, being a daddy, and giving leadership conferences. What's your excuse?
Look at how fast their church is growing. How many have come to Christ there? You must be doing something wrong.
People sure talk about "x" national ministry a lot. Guess they want me to be more like him.

I was praying to God about these thoughts because I know they are deadly. They can make us try to be something we're not. Suddenly we're not transparent or real. So I'm talking with God about them when He says, "I'm the God of originality. You're an original."

Whew. I was reminded of how God blesses what He initiates--not the "warmed up" repackaged efforts of what He's done in someone else.

What about you? Have you heard those kind of accusations?
How does she do it all? Super Mom, super job, super wife? What's wrong with me?
How come my kids aren't the high achievers their kids are?

God is a God of originality. No two fingerprints the same, no two snowflakes alike. Just be who He's created you to be. That's my mission today.

1 comment:

Katelyn Ashley said...

That's encouragement to the core! I forget sometimes that I'm Katie Russell and there's no one like me. I try to be other ppl sometimes or adopt others' styles or ways...but who am I kidding? I almost think that we offend God when we do that. It's like a watching longing to be a clock when it was specifically designed to clasp to a wrist, not sit on a desk or hang on a wall. Thanks for sharing your struggles, P. Shawn! I love being under your humble leadership bc I know that behind it all, GOD REIGNS.