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It is important for us as Christians to understand that we are each uniquely and specially made by God for good reasons. We are not mistakes; I am who I am by design of God, and you are who you are by that same eternal plan and design.
God looked at his creation, we read in Genesis, and declared that it was good! Since we’re part of that creation, we can learn to accept who we are as created by God as good and right.
Now let me add that learning to accept who we are doesn’t mean we give up on trying to improve. While it’s true God has given me a certain type of personality, it’s also true that my personality has a lot of rough edges that need polishing. We have to remember that sin has affected God’s perfect creation, and so until we get to heaven, we are damaged by sin.
The Apostle Paul told us we are in the process of being conformed to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. So, using the personalities given to us, the gifts and abilities that have been entrusted to us by God, we are to be constantly growing into the image of Jesus.
Remember, that when you can accept yourself and believe that God has made you for special and unique purposes, then you’re free. Now the person God has created starts to shine through beautifully; now you begin to see just why God made you the way you are, now you discover that there was a lot there you didn’t even recognize before. God is free to work in and through you, to keep shaping you into the image of Jesus. And you’re free to say, “Thank you, Jesus, you didn’t make a mistake when you made me. Now, please take what you have made and use it for the purposes you intended.”
If you have been trying to be someone else or you feel as though what you are is second-best, a mistake, I encourage you to go to God in prayer right now, as soon as possible. Confess your lack of trust in his creative abilities, ask him to forgive you, and give him permission to continue to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ for eternal and significant purposes.
If you will do that, and continue to do that each day, you’re going to discover incredible and marvelous freedom, and the real you God has created will be a joy to everyone, including yourself.
