“God only creates original masterpieces.”

A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 411). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

That is a tremendous thing to realize and to come to grips with. We want everyone to do it our way, to think like we think. I understand the way we sometimes look at our kids and someone will say that they are just like you but is that a good compliment? God only creates original masterpieces. And that is where acceptance comes in.

But too many times envy and rejection can come in. We envy someone else for what they look like. I wish I could be tall like them. Or we reject them because they are different than us. But as Rick says, “God distinctively shaped you for a life unlike any other. Only you can be you. Only you can live the life God designed you to live. But it’s also true that you cannot live a life that God designed for someone else. To attempt to be what you weren’t created to be always leads to frustration, fatigue, and failure.”

The problem with envy and rejection also is as Rick says it, “Every time you wish you were someone else, have what they have, or do what they do, you are saying, ‘God, you made a huge mistake with me! You could have done better. You could have made me like that person, but you didn’t! Why did you mess up with me? If I were God, I would have made me more like that person!’” And we can do that in looking at our kids.

Stop and remember what Ephesians 2: 10 (NLT) says, “We are God’s masterpiece.” Revel in that, rejoice in that and reaffirm your place in God’s plan. With that goes responsibility to go and do what only you can do.

So who do you want to be, you or someone else?

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