“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG)
"You are amazing!"
"You are the best student in the 10th grade!"
"You are the prettiest girl on the planet!"
"You are so stupid!"
"Why can't you be more like him?"
Have you ever heard any of these statements directed toward you?
Phrases that build you up...or bring you down?
In the world - even in the Christian world - we tend to idealize individuals - raise them up so high we almost cannot see them anymore. And on the flip side, we like to tear people down to the point that they never seem like they will be able to recover.
Why?
PR, baby.
Whether someone is described as too good or too awful has to do with the "spin" or the public relations given to him or her. Often the words people use to describe us - good or bad - are simply that...words.
Words are one of the most powerful weapons in the world.
They can be wielded for good and for evil.
But only you can choose to believe what the words say.
In Paul's letter to the Galatians he was reminding the new believers - and us - to be humble; to recognize that we are all parts of the Body of Christ - no one greater than the other - and no one worse than the other. We each must find our own purpose in God's plan and follow that plan to fruition - not allowing ourselves to be distracted by the lure of the world.
Each of us has an important role to play.
You are important!
Maybe today you are struggling with who you are supposed to be.
Maybe you are questioning what your mission in life is.
Maybe you are feeling a little like a fraud because people keep telling you that you are wonderful.
Maybe you feel a little lost starting a new school year.
Maybe you can't understand why God loves you as much as He does.
Or maybe you are struggling with something you can only share with God.
However you are feeling at this moment - know - above all else - you are LOVED.
You are loved because you are you.
For no other reason.
You are loved...just as you are.
God's love isn't conditional upon whether you are pretty, can dunk a basketball, make straight A's or are the most popular kid in school.
His love has no limits and no conditions.
His love just is.
The world will always try and label you with its own special brand of PR.
Your actions and reactions will be spun and re-spun until you almost forget who you really are.
But always know Whose you are.
You are a chosen child of the One True King.
You are beloved.
And that's no PR.
That's just truth.
Scripture
Quote
“If you have enough people sitting around telling you you're wonderful, then you start believing you're fabulous, then someone tells you, you stink and you believe that too!”
Angelina Jolie
GUMY Challenge
Answers #9 & 10 -
MLK: Wants his children to be remembered for their Character
MT: "As long as you have done your best"
CLUE #11
Here is a little letter to you...from a pretty GREAT ONE...
Question:
XOXO Courtney
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