Don't Be Him

Don't be him.

Don't be her.

Your best when you're you.

You've heard this and you have this thought in your mind. But, like most people, you don't know this deep in your soul. Our society values certain gifts over others and this creates envy, jealousy, doubt and insecurity. Those on the stage are held high, honored, revered, celebrated and adored. Those on the floor, those in the arena preparing, those organizing are less valued by most. They are not discounted intentionally, but they are discounted nonetheless.

I had a conversation with an older doctor, close to retirement, who was thinking about what to do next for impact utilizing his gifts and passions. In his search for what's next for himself, he couldn't get past wanting a life and idolizing a famous pastor. This gentleman was given constant praise by his coworkers, by his staff and by his clients. The job that he did touched and saved many lives over decades of work. In his mind, his work was less important somehow. To himself, his impact, though different, was not as critical.

The sad part of this was his lack of contentment in his work, the way God made him. He looked out because he wanted to be "Him". This is a human problem, not just for men. Ladies have their struggles, wanting to be "Her" and thereby being insecure with who they are.

Lance Armstrong describes his experiences growing up in Texas where football and baseball (the traditional sports) were king. For him to go his own way, to follow his own path, he had to withstand certain amounts of ridicule or at least, underappreciation for his efforts vs his counterparts in other sports.

Scriptures say, like the body has its members, so the body of Christ has its members and we need each one to do their work, to the best of their ability in order to work in unity with one another. Don't allow the success and strengths of others to make you doubt yourself and your path. Your path and road will be different and unique. Follow yours. Seek yours and "become" who you were born to be.