Becoming More Than I Am
by Beth Mabe Gianopulos
Friday, December 29, 2017
“So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (MSG)
Each year, as New Year’s Day approaches, I agonize over my resolution. Like everyone, I have resolved in the past to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier foods, to be more organized, to read my Bible daily, and the list goes on. Like most people, I’m usually strong the first month.
As February approaches, life gets in the way, and before I know it, I am back in my old routine.
When I look at the goals that I have set in the past, the common theme is that ultimately, I am striving to be something or someone that I am not.
When I have resolved to lose weight, I do not really want to lose weight to be healthier. I want to lose weight so that I will look better in my favorite jeans.
When I have resolved to read my Bible daily, I have ultimately approached Bible reading like a task that must be checked off an ever growing “to do” list.
If I am honest, I am working so hard to be more like someone else because I do not really like who I am. I tell myself, “If I was as thin as my best friend, I would be so happy.
If I could decorate my house and keep it as clean as my neighbor’s home, I would feel more peaceful. If I prepared gourmet, homemade meals, I would feel better about myself.”
Somewhere along the way, I bought the lie that looking and acting like the world would satisfy the emptiness within me. Because I am always striving to be someone else, I am not content with who I am.
In 1 Peter 5:6-7, we are instructed to “be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs.” If I spend all of my time discontent with who I am, then I will never see the gifts that God has blessed me with. If I am so busy trying to look or act like someone else, I will never find the unique path that God has planned just for me.
Luke 14:11 (MSG) says, “But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” I will only grow and become the person that God created me to be when I am content with who I am.
This year, when everyone is resolving to be someone or something that they are not, what if you simply commit to being content? What if you simply decide to be content with who you are? What if your only goal is to be the best you that you can be?
Jesus, You know our hearts. You know that we sometimes look to the wrong things to bring contentment and happiness. As we begin a new year, help us to be content to be ourselves. Show us that by being content to simply be who we are, You will make us more than we ever dreamed we could be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2017 by Beth Mabe Gianopulos. All rights reserved.
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