Celebrate YOU… [Dream Again Day 28]

Be encouraged by this song, friends. If you are reading in an email or reader, try clicking here.

“God make each and every person with the potential to positively affect the world. Gifts, skills, passions and personality combine to uniquely equip you to impact the world around you in a way that no other person can. . .When you embrace who you were created to become, it is impossible for the people and the planet around you to not be impacted in a significant way.” Andy & Jane Mason, Dream Culture

Naturally an introspective person, I have squandered time and energy focusing on my weakness, where I lack, where I still need to be perfected, fully aware of those areas I needed improvement and with an acute understanding of my failures. Those, I could list for you with incredible accuracy and detail.

Yet, this is where the devil wants our thoughts to remain. “As a man thinks, so he is.” (Proverbs 23:7) He endeavors to keep God’s people downtrodden. If the enemy can keep us focused on our weakness and our failures, then that is where we will live. If he can get us to meditate on all of the work that is still incomplete in our lives, then that is where we will stay. If he can keep our minds and hearts on all the places that are still broken, on the imperfections, then he has succeeded in keeping us paralyzed by our shortcomings and failures, convinced we have nothing of value to offer the world.

It might seem prideful to celebrate who we are created to be, and perhaps that has kept you from daring to think about your unique talents, and strengths as something to be celebrated. I can wholeheartedly say, the process of self-discovery has not developed an enlarged self-centered heart, not self-secure or insecure, but God-secure based in my identity as a child of God.

When I learned to focus on the things that I am good at, what I am strong in, and what I do that makes me feel the most alive, learn about my strengths and talents, the unique qualities that make me who I am, and celebrate those things, I have a greater understanding and appreciation, for the greatness of God as my Creator and my Designer. When He created me, He did with contemplation and consideration, accuracy and precision, attention and care. I am an ORIGINAL, and so are YOU, created directly and personally by an Artist and that Artist is God.

You are marvelously, magnificently, superbly, gloriously, sublimely, lovingly, delightfully, greatly, fantastically, terrifically, sensationally, incredibly, fabulously, out of this world, awesomely, brilliantly — MADE by GOD. (Psalm 139:14)

“Someone, somewhere, needs you — in all of your uniqueness — to step up to the plate of your calling. So come take your place. Embrace your special role. Enjoy the thrill of capitalizing on your strengths without wallowing in misery over lacks and differences or allowing yourself to be threatened by those traits you should be celebrating in those you admire. You are not a mistake, no mere outcome of happenstance. Your creation was superintended by Almighty God. You are extraordinarily significant.” Priscilla Shirer, The Resolution for Women

And if you try and conform to what everyone else is doing, then the world misses out on you.

You have what it takes.

You are capable.

You are who God says you are.

The differences in you are to compliment the Body of Christ,

not compete or compare with it.

Your skills matter, even the ordinary ones.

The way you talk, walk, eat, think,

the things that make you happy or hurt you,

that’s you. That’s how God made you.

The differences make beauty.

The way you like to talk a lot or don’t.

The way you get energy from being alone or being in a group.

The way you rather watch and observe or the way you rather bring life and joy to the party,

The way you like order or the way you do not mind dis-order

You have a creative and intelligent mind because you were created in His likeness.

You have gifts.

You have strengths.

You are brave.

You are valuable.

You have a voice

No one can replace you

God created you just the way you are.

You are wanted.

You are beautiful.

You are chosen

You are called.

Your answers to these questions will help highlight the unique expression of who you are and what you bring the earth.

Write It Out: What is valuable to you? What is beautiful to you? How are you unique? Which situations or circumstance stir you to action or emotion? What are you passionate about? If you could change any one thing in the world, what it be? How could you play a part in that?

Say it Loud: I am the only one like me that has ever, or will ever exist. I am unique. I have unique strengths, experiences, capabilities and a personality unlike anyone else, and I am created in God’s image. I’ve been given one life, and I am going to live full-out the life God designed me to live.