4-6 "In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t."
6-8 "If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face."
Romans 12:4-8
Habit of Loving Yourself
We all have those small things we wish we could change about ourselves. But whether it is our nose or our inability to walk without tripping, it is God's handiwork, and he intended us to be just the way we are. And when we can embrace ourselves instead of attempting to be someone else, we can truly experience God's glory in our identity found only in Him. Easier said than done.
My sister is a runner. I am not. My sister came out of the womb with a six-pack and ran a half marathon when she was 4 or something. She is a powerhouse. I know God made her with a smile on His face and told all the angels in heaven "watch this" and just poured a bottle full of muscle in her and forgot to add fat. She made running look so easy I thought I could do it.
So, being the motivational athlete she is, she took me for a run several years ago during a vacation. I asked how long the run was going to be.
One mile.
It went great the first few minutes. 6 minutes in and she is already ahead of me. Out of sight. I took a brief respite by a stop sign only to wake up 20 minutes later with her leaning over me asking if I was ok.
I was not ok.
Because I was not a runner.
But for a while I thought I could totally be a runner. Like have all the Nike shorts, run with the pack, drink Gatorade for the electrolytes not the flavor. And for an embarrassing amount of time I really gave it a go. And I hated it.
If we were all runners, who would write Harry Potter? Who would sing "Bye Bye Bye?" Who would fly airplanes? Who would build your house? Who would invent the gadgets in SkyMall? Trying to be something we are not intended to be feels unnatural. When we attempt to fit the mold of someone who already exists we are simply a poor imitation of one of God's original masterpieces.
When we embrace who God intended us to be, it can be scary at first because no one like us exists. We have no preexisting model or guide to tell us if we are doing it right. But when we embrace our true purpose in God's masterful plan, the fear of being ourselves is quickly diluted by the confidence we find in His reassuring voice. In His reassuring plan that incorporates our unique function perfectly. We are all members of the body of Christ. We all have a role to play. A role designed specifically for us in order to bring glory to His kingdom. All we have to do is be who God intended us to be. The rest is victory.
Be yourself. Love yourself.
Make it a habit.