Be You & Be Free & True

Please them. I must be who they want me to be.

That’s what I thought, anyway, during this period of my life. Rail-thin, I hadn’t the faintest idea of who I was or what I was called to…

I just knew happiness seemed to be:

a. keep you happy

b. make you like me and,

c. don’t fail at it.

If you were a happy person, I’d morph and be happy (even though I was miserable inside). If you valued service, I’d serve you (even though I might whine on the inside). If you wanted me to be funny, I’d try that (and walk away feeling completely unknown).

Once, a company was interested in hiring me. I studied their whole website for hours, determined the exact profile of a person they wanted to hire and presented that image. I got hired, and hated every second of working there.

Why? Because I was a walking lie.

By trying to be everything to everybody, I became a no one to myself. Many who defy who God made them to be, walk living the ultimate lie.

Ever been there? Do you walk with a smile, but feel defeat in your heart? Do you serve people exactly what they need, but feel your needs are unmet? Are you good at taking care of others, while no one knows or cares about you?

Maybe you’ve spent years, accomplishing someone else’s goals for you. Maybe you’ve gone decades living up to a set family standard. Maybe you feel obligated and obliged to follow some inner set of (perhaps unrealistic) standards, otherwise you will be judged. Maybe these things have held you captive.

Step back from this for a second and begin to ask yourself:

a. Who has God created me to be?

b. How has God created me uniquely?

c. Why has He created me uniquely?

d. Does He care that I am created uniquely?

These are important questions to answer.

As I’ve unpacked these questions and scripture, I’ve come to learn: one of the greatest forms of honesty is to be true to be, as God created me. Likewise, one of the greatest lies is to defy God’s truth of how He created me and the unique personality He gave me.

My job is not to fit in; my job is to stand apart, to stand out. That is, in part, what it means to be “holy”.

In all this, it is critically important to remember how loved, known, and purposed we are in Christ Jesus, for instance:

God knows personally what we will speak:

“You know what I am going to say

even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.” (Ps. 139:4-5)

God, like a master worker—like the ultimate carpenter—makes us a collectible, an original piece of workmanship, (in personality and appearance, in thoughts and in heart):

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” (Ps. 139:13-14)

God has precious thoughts about who He made us to be:

“You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out

before a single day had passed.”

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them;

they outnumber the grains of sand!”

(Ps 139:16-18)

We are created with amazing and unique things to do:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10)

To be less than you, is to not only negate what God wants to do through you, but it is also to reduce the glory that will be given — to Him.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mt. 5:16)

Are you unsure of who you are? Are you tirelessly seeking to please others more than joyfully knowing who you are in Christ Jesus? Are you unsure of what God has called you to? Are you lost to His purpose for your life?

If this is you, I highly encourage you to come to one of the final two Transformation Prayer Intensive events. There are times to wait on God for life change and there are times to take steps of faith that change everything. To step out is often to step into the arms of Jesus (think of Peter hopping out of the boat). It takes great faith to move.

With this, my prayer for you today is that you can discern what to do and that He will give you great courage to take bold steps. And, if He is calling you to wait on Him, that He give you the great enduring power to do so! In Jesus’ Name.

Either way, having a firm grip on your Christ-identity will change your life incredibly.

Transformation Prayer Intensive

Date & Location Options:

1. Aug. 21–24 (Naples)

2. Sept. 18–21 (Charlotte)

RSVP: Sign up here: https://buy.stripe.com/4gMdR865X2ipfx8blW08g00

Included:

• Lodging and refreshing

• All meals

• Prayer that sets free

• Spirit-led workshops & devotionals

• Life-long heart transformation