Just a Thought: Don’t just be happy with yourself. Be happy because you’re you! You are unique. Just as every snowflake is a different shape, no two are the same. You are different in some way from everyone else. You are uniquely divinely designed. Every person started out as a precious gift from God as a child and you are precious to the Lord. The psalmist reminds us how different and special we are when he takes us back to God’s involvement in the womb. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Ps 139:13-14) Let me be very clear. God didn’t need us because He is the great “I Am.” Meaning He is self-sufficient. So, if God didn’t need you and I, this means He chose you and I to be here. And He designed both us and His plans for us! This ought to thrill and amaze us! You and I are a blessing from God! I used to wish I was taller. I have family members who are tall and I wanted to be like them. Sometimes I look at other guys with great hair and wish I had great hair (I have none). I used to wish I was more naturally athletic. Every sport I played, I had to really work at while many others seemed natural. Maybe you’re a little like me and there are things you wish you were. But, when I look back at a passage of truth like this, I realize three things are true. One, God designed me to me because He has a purpose for me. God did that! And God don’t make no junk! If the Lord and I could have switched places, I might have added and subtracted some things He didn’t. But, then again, He is perfect in all of His ways and I am not. So, I have to realize God made me the way I am to fulfill the plans He has for me. Second, I have to be happy with who I am because a lot of thought and planning went into me. When I criticize or complain about myself, I am criticizing and complaining about God’s handy work. I am acting as if God didn’t know what He was doing when He made me. I am missing the point that the reason I am not like the person I wish I was, is because we are all different and divinely designed. So, what I should do is what the psalmist did. Acknowledge with gratitude and praise the amazing fact that God Himself knit me together with me and His purpose for me in mind! I shouldn’t criticize that. I should be thrilled with that! Finally, once I realize how specially designed I am and why, I should pursue God’s purpose for me with all my heart! Instead of focusing on what I am not, I need to focus on what I am! I am a uniquely, divinely designed individual that God chose to make for His purpose! By the way, His purpose is designed with you and I in mind because God made us for that purpose. So, when I realize this and pursue this, I will find the greatest fulfillment in doing it! I have always said about me aches and pains, “If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of this body.” And that is true of all of us. Taking care of the body we were given is our job! So, what is the point of all of this? Rejoice and get excited because you and I are fearfully and wonderfully made by God! Chosen to be here for Him and by Him! In other words, “Don’t just be happy with yourself. Be happy because you’re you!” Lord, thank You for making me, me! I stand amazed You chose to make me, me and have fellowship with me. May I pursue Your divine purpose for my life so that my life may glorify You and bring me the joy and fulfillment You designed or me. In Jesus name, amen.
