Recently, when I finished a project about being transformed by being yourself, little did I know how timely this message would be for addressing one of our most common temptations and ailments--comparing ourselves to others. It's like drinking a cup of arsenic and not expecting to die. It literally poisons the heart and soul because it's rooted in envy (covetousness). 2 Corinthians 10:12 advises us that when we compare ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves, we are not wise. What happens is we actually devalue ourselves by denying the unique person that God made in His own image.
It's interesting. Over the last few of weeks, I happened to talk with a couple of friends and they both shared with me their disappointment on how many people pretend to be someone they're not--that is, they're fake and pretentious. This further confirmed what I've known for quite some time. Since many don't really know who they are in God, they can't appreciate who God made them to be. Therefore, they either try to be someone they're not or they try to be like someone else they admire or think is 'better' than them.
One of my favorite series is the beloved creation of C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia. While watching The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, it hit me how dangerous it is to compare ourselves with others or to wish we were someone other than ourselves. When Lucy succumbed to the temptation of wanting to be like her sister Susan, she's was shown through a vision what life would be like if she were Susan. It wasn't what she expected and Aslan (who represents Jesus) revealed to her what she actually did by wishing she were her sister, Susan. Aslan showed Lucy that she wished she didn't exist. As a result, everyone's life connected to her would be completely altered.
Aslan helped Lucy to see the truth of her own precious value. Here's their conversation:
Lucy: "I just wanted to be beautiful like Susan."
Aslan: "You wished yourself away and with it, much more. Your brothers and sister wouldn't know Narnia without you, Lucy. You discovered it first, remember?
Lucy: "I'm so sorry."
Aslan: "You doubt your value. Don't run away from who you are."
When we try to be someone we're not or wish we were someone else, we not only devalue ourselves but we actually rob others of their purpose and the blessings God intends to bestow on them. Everyone is cheated because we're not living the life that God originally intended for us to live. This is a major tactic the enemy uses to kill, steal and destroy us. Fortunately, if we come to know our true identity and purpose in Jesus, then we won't want to run away from who we are. We can rejoice in the unique person God made.
How do you feel about yourself today? Do you wish you were someone other than yourself? If so, ask Jesus to transform your heart so you will come to love the person He made--the real you. You were made for His pleasure and He loves you completely and unconditionally. Don't be afraid but experience the joy of knowing that God made you a unique individual with a specific purpose that only you can fulfill in His grand design. He loves you and has come to set you free.
It's interesting. Over the last few of weeks, I happened to talk with a couple of friends and they both shared with me their disappointment on how many people pretend to be someone they're not--that is, they're fake and pretentious. This further confirmed what I've known for quite some time. Since many don't really know who they are in God, they can't appreciate who God made them to be. Therefore, they either try to be someone they're not or they try to be like someone else they admire or think is 'better' than them.
One of my favorite series is the beloved creation of C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia. While watching The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, it hit me how dangerous it is to compare ourselves with others or to wish we were someone other than ourselves. When Lucy succumbed to the temptation of wanting to be like her sister Susan, she's was shown through a vision what life would be like if she were Susan. It wasn't what she expected and Aslan (who represents Jesus) revealed to her what she actually did by wishing she were her sister, Susan. Aslan showed Lucy that she wished she didn't exist. As a result, everyone's life connected to her would be completely altered.
Aslan helped Lucy to see the truth of her own precious value. Here's their conversation:
Lucy: "I just wanted to be beautiful like Susan."
Aslan: "You wished yourself away and with it, much more. Your brothers and sister wouldn't know Narnia without you, Lucy. You discovered it first, remember?
Lucy: "I'm so sorry."
Aslan: "You doubt your value. Don't run away from who you are."
When we try to be someone we're not or wish we were someone else, we not only devalue ourselves but we actually rob others of their purpose and the blessings God intends to bestow on them. Everyone is cheated because we're not living the life that God originally intended for us to live. This is a major tactic the enemy uses to kill, steal and destroy us. Fortunately, if we come to know our true identity and purpose in Jesus, then we won't want to run away from who we are. We can rejoice in the unique person God made.
How do you feel about yourself today? Do you wish you were someone other than yourself? If so, ask Jesus to transform your heart so you will come to love the person He made--the real you. You were made for His pleasure and He loves you completely and unconditionally. Don't be afraid but experience the joy of knowing that God made you a unique individual with a specific purpose that only you can fulfill in His grand design. He loves you and has come to set you free.
