“I became a better me, rather than just a poor copy of someone else.”

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-10) from his book, Spirituality for the Rest of Us: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Knowing God (p. 140). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Larry shares how he came to this conclusion. He said, “At some point—I don't know exactly when—I just gave up. I decided I'd had enough of trying to live up to the best of everyone and everything. It was a smart move. Once I stepped back, I realized that most of my motivation to emulate all the strengths and traits I admired in others didn't come from listening to the voice of God. It came from trying to please friends and mentors who all assumed that their calling must be my calling.”

We do that don’t we?

He goes on, “I was surprised by the new sense of freedom and renewed focus I experienced once I no longer felt the need to match up to everyone else's best practices of the Christian faith. I was finally free to focus on the unique passions and gifts God had given me. Instead of constantly feeling inadequate about the areas where I didn't match up, I started to notice and rejoice in all the areas where I did. I became a better me, rather than just a poor copy of someone else.”

Oh if we are could get to that point.

He then says, “The fact is, God has given most of us passion and gifts for only a few things. When we follow those passions and hone those gifts, we end up doing exactly what we were made to do.”

He then gives some more good advice. He says, “Getting off the Best Practices Overload treadmill doesn't mean no longer learning from others or ceasing to stretch myself spiritually. There'll always be plenty of areas for growth and change. The mirror of Scripture, wise counsel, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit will see to that. But these God-inspired areas of growth and change will for the most part align with who we are and what we have been called to do and become.

God didn’t make junk when he created us. And if we don’t accept that fact and strive to grow and align with who we are then our family, friends and community will miss really miss out.

Let’s live out who God has created us to become. OK?

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