Be Who You Are

BE WHO YOU ARE

1 Samuel 16:7

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him [Jesse’s son, Eliab]. The Lord does not look for the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

Fourteen year old Michael spoke with a Jamaican accent, “Me no scrub grill, Mom. Him your man!” Michael said, pointing to Jeremy.

Ten year old Jeremy shot back, “Why are you talking like that?”

Their mom looked at them, curious.

“Me have new girlfriend. This how she speak. Me too, mon.” Michael confessed.

Jeremy and mom burst out laughing. Mom said, “Well, mon, if you want bar-b-qued ribs for dinner, you need to scrub the grill. Jeremy, mon, your love-sick brother needs help!”

Evidently Michael’s Jamaican girlfriend impressed him. Her speech had an accent that he tried to copy. Michael thought he sounded cool. He wanted her to like him, so he practiced speaking like her around his family.

“What’s your girlfriend’s name?” Jeremy asked.

Michael smiled. “Monique,” he said.

Being who you are means to act yourself—no make believe, no pretending you’re anyone else. Being yourself means to act how you believe. If you love yourself the way God created you, being who you are is easy. But you cannot love anyone else until you love yourself.

Do you trust that God never makes mistakes? He made you in His image (Genesis 1:27). He formed you fearfully and wondrously in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14). God loved you before you were even born! And God loves you unconditionally today—even when you mess up. God checks what’s inside your heart—and still loves you.

Being who you are means to be true to yourself. We need to accept who we are—regardless of how others want to change us. Changing oneself into the mold another cast never wins acceptance, love, or respect. Pleasing others never leads to personal happiness. Trying to be who they are not only confuses people. Self-respect comes from acting naturally—from one’s foundation, one’s inner core. People respect those who have self-respect because they stand up for their beliefs.

But that takes courage.

Each person is unique, [u-NEEK] means one-of-a-kind. That shines through when not trying to squeeze oneself into a mold that doesn’t fit. Believers are already being shaped into the likeness of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:29).

Now that’s you!
And, you look great!

Take Home Nugget

“Hey mon!” Michael greeted his friends at the swimming pool. “Want the high dive jump?”
His friends laughed. Monique said, “Wrong accent, mon!” shaking her head.

B who U R. No one can be you like you.

J.D. Griffith

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