Confession: Every once in awhile (read: way too often), I look at ______, or _______, or _______ and I compare myself and come up short and decide I’m going to throw in the towel.
No, nothing drastic, but just I’m just going to quit “showing up”.
Jesus clearly has gifted “them” more, is using “them” more powerfully, loves “them” more.
I decide, yep, I’m going to give up writing or parenting, or setting goals, or mentoring or exercising or speaking or being available, or risking…
This has prompted me to question, “What is it that inhibits and what is it that inspires us to live our unique story?”
What motivates you to become a better version of yourself? To celebrate the work God wants to do uniquely through you?
And conversely, What is destructive to your true self – the self that finds meaning in being a beloved child of God?
This is not a new struggle and I know I’m not alone. Can I get an “Amen!”?
As I’ve been talking with God about this yelling “Lord help me figure this out! Now!” He brought to mind this little exchange in John 21 (remember John is writing):
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them…When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
You know how John has that irritating way of referring to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved”? I wonder how that made Peter feel. Was he tempted to buy into the lie that John was the ONE (the only one) Jesus loved? More than anyone else? Was he tempted to compare and be blinded to the ways that Jesus loved him and wanted to use his unique gifts, temperament and experience?
Jesus basically says, “Quit looking at his his life, his “likes”, invitations, followers, hits, gifts, retweets, his family, his successes or failures and look at Me.
Because I have a story I want to write through you that I can’t write through him.”
I believe Jesus says that to us too.
And so we can say: “I’m the one that Jesus loves. And so is he. Or she.
God has given me a unique voice and a valuable story.
And God has given them a different voice and different valuable story.”
You have gifts and relationships and experiences and a platform that I don’t have. That no one else has in the exact same combination.
I pray you’ll move into this Monday celebrating that you’re the one Jesus loves and is using in a way that He can use no one else.
What’s one thing you can celebrate about your unique voice today?
