BE AN ORIGINAL.
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right
to become children of God.” John 1:12 NKJ.
My thoughts and comments today are, “be your best self.”
Have you ever imagined being someone else, or at least being more like someone you admire? I think a surprising number of people wistfully think about such a possibility. God has a better idea. Be an original. Just Be your best self. Why be content to be a copy instead of a divine original? The best of copies never duplicates an original creation. Don’t settle for less than the unique person God designed you to become.
Copying others is an inadequate path to achieving your personal potential. Envy of others whose popularity you lack, or whose talents you don’t possess is not a foundation for your own success. There will always be someone who seems to have less worries, better skills, more money, easier paths, or clearer plans.
Consider this. Be practical. If you could, what would you change about yourself? When asked, most people’s answer would likely identify some cosmetic aspect of appearance, or something outward, superficial, and ultimately inconsequential. Imagine if you and I would simply apply ourselves to be clear and more confident about who we are, and more diligent in achieving what we can be.
As a younger man and minister, I found it beneficial to memorize and recite this affirmation. ”I can’t do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.” That is a way to be your best self. The surrounding culture offers empty claims that you would be better off, happier, or more satisfied, if you would just be more like the images advertisers project for the products you must buy, cars you must drive, homes you must have, and celebrities you should mimic. What this world sells are hollow promises.
You will be confident and content when you learn to be who God created you to be. Your life is neither random nor accidental. You are an original creation of God’s genius and grace. Don’t choose to be a second-best copy of anyone. You are a bundle of potential and possibility yet to be realized. You are graced with gifts and abilities that are wonderfully your own, distinct from all others.
God was clear, “I know the plans I have for you, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. Isn’t that exactly what we are all looking for? God blesses what He creates and accomplishes what He intends. You are made in His image and likeness to be a unique expression of His nature. Paul describes us in this way, ”For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV. Like our English word, “poem,” the Greek word, “poema,” describes, “a creative work of expressive thought.” That is what you and I are in God’s eyes.
Your life and mine are to express God’s creative work of grace as being available to one and all. The source of a successful and satisfying life is your becoming God’s creative work of expressive thought with all you have, in all you do, in all you say, and all you are.
Jesus was clear and consistent. “I do nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught Me. 29 The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” John 8:28-29. He only did what He saw the Father doing and only spoke what He heard His Father saying.
My assigned course is the singular plan and path that God has thoughtfully chosen just for my life, uniquely different from any other. “For I know the plans that I have for you . . plans for good . . to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. A future without hope is discouraging. Hope without a future is wishful thinking.
My prayer for you today is to live for the praise and pleasure of your Creator.
EDL Communications 2019
Website and archives: allenrandolph.com
Facebook.com/everydaylife.allenrandolph