Do you know who you are in Christ? Are you able to stand firm knowing what your purpose is without copying someone else? Sometimes when we’re growing into who God created us to be we can fall for the lie that we’re not enough or don’t have what it takes. That is so not the case. And, as God matures us he’ll take those things out of us.
Do you know who you’re not?
As a child, I was not raised to be a person who had self esteem. In fact, I was taught “to be controlled / manipulated” by someone other than myself. Now, you can imagine what trouble that caused in my life as I grew into adulthood. I was in my mid 20’s before I even realized that I had been controlled and manipulated my entire life and didn’t know who I was … in Christ. Well, at that point, I gave it all to God and asked Him to heal me … which He did, and continues to do. I can stand tall today and say that I know who I am in Christ Jesus. Sure, I have to deal insecurities just like everyone else, especially when going through troubled, uncharted waters. I just don’t let those insecurities rule my life. I continually ask God to take out of me what He doesn’t want in me. I choose that way of life until my time on this Earth is finished.
Now, several years ago, I realized that I don’t necessarily learn the same way that most people do. I am a kinesthetic-tactile learner. I know there are others out there like me, but we are in the minority as I read on Google that 65% of people are visual learners. So basically, in order for me to learn something, I need to be moving, doodling, or actually perform the task over and over for it to “stick” in my brain. However, the good thing is, once it’s there, it’s usually there for the “long haul.”
Over the past several years, I have struggled in an area for one reason or another. Often, the struggle is not brought on by my own flaws, but rather by the environment that I have been in. I don’t consider my learning style a flaw or a disability! I have explained the type of learner that I am and have been effectively ignored, causing me to struggle to keep up, so to speak … often keeping me from being the best that I know I can be. It’s not that I’m incapable of the task. It’s that I haven’t been allowed the proper tools to be successful.
Earlier I asked if you know who you are in Christ. I asked this to make a point. We have to know who we are in Christ to be fully effective for Him … to advance His Kingdom. I know that I’m an imperfect person who loves God and wants to be all that He created me to be so that I may advance His Kingdom. I know that I have had challenges that most people only see on a “Lifetime” tv channel. But, I also asked if you know who you’re not? You see, I know that I’m not a person who will be controlled or manipulated by others … at least not knowingly. I also know that I’m not a person who can see something and learn it at a glance the majority of the time.
I have to tell you; my learning style doesn’t bother me simply because I know who I am, but I also know who I’m not. The only frustration that comes is when I’m not allowed the proper tools to function to the standard in which I’m capable.
Now, I understand that God’s grace is enough. Of course it is. I assure you He has filled in often for me. But, I also know that I am incapable of being the best “me” when someone else’s expectation of me is to function / learn the same way that they do. In most cases, it’s not possible for me to do that. Trust me, I’ve been down that road several times. I have had people “encourage me” because their belief is that I don’t have self esteem. I have had people allude that I’m “fearful,” or think I believe that I’m “not good enough,” and so on and so on. You see, none of these things are the case. No, I’m not a perfect person. None of us are. And, if you claim to “never do anything wrong,” you are either in denial or lying. #truth Perfectionism is not what I’m talking about here, either. It’s the simple ability to function well simply because I have the tools I need to do so. I’m the type of person who takes the time beforehand to do the work that I need to do so that I can function at the level of the rest of the team because I don’t want to hold anyone else back. It doesn’t bother me that it takes time for me to do this. I enjoy it … because it’s who God created me to be. Unfortunately, you cannot believe the things people have said to me, effectively putting me down, simply because they chose to not understand the way I learn … basically … who I am. It’s all good. God strengthens me through these trials. “God works all things out for the good for those who love Him.” Romans 8:28
I know who I am, but I also know who I’m not. Choose to be balanced in knowing who you are in Christ.
As a leader, take the time to understand your people. Don’t expect people to act, perform, handle things like you. As leaders, yes, we’re leading people, but ultimately, it’s God who is leading all of us. Jesus is the only person we should want to be like. Phillipians 2:5-7
God didn’t create us all alike. He created each and every one of us as unique individuals. In fact, there is only one of us in this entire world or the history of the world … only one. We have to come to the understanding that, not only for our own self, but also for others.
Do you know who you’re not? Don’t allow others to force you into a mold of themselves. Do your best to be all that God created you to be, allowing Him to shape and mold you as you travel along life’s path. That’s all you can do. Remember, not everyone will understand you and, you will not understand everyone whose path you cross. Don’t attempt to form them in your own image and don’t allow others to form you into their image.
Follow Jesus.
Allow Him to lead and guide you.
Learn from the process.
Know who you are, but also, know who you aren’t.
