June 3-4 – Be yourself

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” - Proverbs 3:5-6

Driving along a busy inner city road here in Nottingham the other day, all was well until I reached a point where a number of roads converge, including exit roads from two industrial shopping areas. At the approach, all lanes filled with lines of vehicles. Most of the drivers were patient, but it only seems to take one to trigger a reaction from others.

That one driver seemed to think he was the only person behind a wheel who was competent....his journey was more important....he wasn't prepared to queue....he would show everyone how it was done! Off he went, reving the engine, hooting his horn, waving at other drivers to move over, and driving through the tightest gaps (there's never a policeman around when needed, is there!). Of course, more cars followed suit – they wanted to be like him . However, the majority refused to be intimidated.

This reminded me of a story told by Max Lucado. A little boy named Adam wanted to be like his friend Bobby. Adam loved the way Bobby walked and talked. Bobby, however, wanted to be like Charlie. Something about Charlie’s stride and accent intrigued him. Charlie, on the other hand, was impressed with Danny. Charlie wanted to look and sound like Danny. Danny, of all things, had a hero as well: Adam. He wanted to be just like Adam. So Adam was imitating Bobby, who was imitating Charlie, who was imitating Danny, who was imitating Adam! Turns out, all Adam had to do was be himself.

You be you! Don’t be your parents or grandparents. You can admire them, appreciate them, and learn from them. But you cannot be them. Don’t compare yourself with others.

The apostle Paul said “…each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life (Galatians 6:4-5).”

Jesus was insistent upon this. After the resurrection he appeared to some of his followers. He gave Peter a specific pastoral assignment; one that included great sacrifice. The apostle Peter responded in John 21:21-22 by pointing at John and saying, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me.”

Don’t occupy yourself with another person’s assignment. You be you..stay focused on your own!

Stay in your own lane. Nothing good happens when you compare and compete. God doesn’t judge you according to the talents of others. He judges you according to yours! His yardstick for measuring faithfulness is how faithful you are with your own gifts.

Acknowledgments Max Lucado

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