As I was walking on our dirt road the other day, I noticed a field covered with tiny yellow flowers and then two bright purple flowers standing proudly above all the others. They really stuck out because of the sea of green and yellow all around them. Then I heard God speak to my heart, “Don’t be afraid to stand up and stand out.”
As a family, we have moved quite a bit, and I’ve learned so much about just being me because of it. When you are new to an area, school, or church it’s easier to just sneak in and fit in. But God didn’t create me to do that, He made me an individual just like He made every other member of my family an individual. I don’t do any of us a service by trying to just meld into my surroundings. Instead, I’ve learned to just be me, and the funny thing about it is, when I just act like myself it’s much easier to make friends.
We are all created differently. We all have things that make us individuals. God quite obviously loves diversity, so why would we pretend it doesn’t exist?
In a world that screams for inclusion, it’s often shocking how much they don’t really mean it. In our world it’s become “Be different just like me.” So instead of allowing each of us to operate in our own unique giftings, we often just try to stick people by groups into different boxes. God doesn’t work that way. He made us all different and when we embrace that we find that we actually work quite well together.
When we just live life without being pushy or demanding and allow others to do the same, we find ourselves engaged in the most beautiful dance together. We also find more needs being met when we allow each one to thrive in their giftings. It takes a walk of humility to say to another, “You are much better at that than I am, so you take the lead for now.” It also takes humility to gently use your giftings and not to force them on others. That’s where we find ourselves engaged in something like a dance. The prettiest dances are those that are fluid and each person dancing has their moment to display a flourish or to support the other dancer. It’s a give and take. Life is full of those.
Prayer Moment: God, help me to never be afraid of who You’ve made me to be. At the same time, help me to not be someone who sucks all the oxygen out of a room. Make me balanced on the inside. Make me certain of Who You are and who You’ve made me to be, so I am secure and not threatened by others strengths. I want to represent You well. Help me to walk in a humble way that isn’t proud but also doesn’t hide my giftings. Help me to be useful to You. I adore You, Abba. In Jesus name. Amen.
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12
A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. Proverbs 18:16
365 Days in the Presence 