Have you ever wondered why other people could come to such outrageous conclusions, only to realize in a moment of humble revelation that your own way of thinking is a bit odd from their perspective? Some of us perceive the world primarily through thoughts and ideas while others are more oriented to experiencing the world according to their emotions. Some people are descriptively detailed in their flowery and poetic accounts of things while others are more like Jack Webb: “Just give me the facts, Ma’am.”
The truth is we’re wired differently in how we think and respond. And that’s okay. None of us perceive the world perfectly through God’s eyes, so he gave us each other, in our different make up, to help each other grow in understanding. We need the assertive as well as the shy. We need those who think more deeply and somberly as well as those who see happiness more easily.
Sometimes we wish we were more like someone else. And maybe that’s a good thing if they are responding to God in an honoring way and we aren’t. We can learn from them but we’re not called to be them. We’re called to be who God made us.
Being the person you were meant to be sometimes involves change. Like Nala told Simba in the Lion King, “You’re more than who you’ve become.” Deep within us is call to become all God designed us to be. Becoming all we were meant to be requires tossing off immature ways of thinking and behaving that are not helpful. We weren’t created to be impatient, frustrated, bitter, angry, selfish, or grumpy. Gossiping, complaining, judging, lying, and cheating are not the hallmarks of our design. Thank God he can change those if we surrender them to him. All of these are reprogrammable by the renewing of our mind.
You may be shy and want to be assertive. You may be impetuous and impulsive and want to learn patience and self-discipline. You may be quick to arrive at answers while others are more cautious and hesitant in their response. You may tend toward feelings depression and want to be happy. And you can learn to adapt in ways that bring balance your life. But rather than seeking to become someone else, seek to become who you were called be. Don’t settle for less.
Live in a way that reflects to others that God has brought you to himself, through Christ who is our hope in glory. (Colossians 1:27) Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Colossians 1:10, Ephesians 4:1)
Be more than you’ve become. Be all that God created you to be!