Image courtesy of: ambercarroll87

"...what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do."  Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz, p. 110

This got me thinking about whether I really believed what the Bible says about God gifting each person with unique gifts (Ephes. 4:6-13).  None of us is a duplicate; we're all one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

What would it look like if we really believed that each person had a unique gifting from God?

We wouldn't compare ourselves to each other, and no one would feel inferior, or superior.  It would be okay that our life stories are different. 

God calls us to care about the poor and the marginalized, but how we care (assuming that we are) will look different for each of us.  I don't need to feel "less than" because I am not in a developing country caring for orphans.  Likewise, I cannot let another's passion dictate what my passion should be.  My job is to listen to God's voice and call for me, at this place, and at this time.

At various times, God has called me to give, pray, and volunteer as He leads with various local and international groups.  It has not looked the same from year to year. 

Some of us have boundless energy (I wish), while some of us have varying health issues.  Some thrive to lead, while others have the gift of helps.  Each person, in God's view, can make a valuable and unique contribution.

No snowflake is more beautiful or more important than another snowflake.

If I really believed...

Maybe, I would believe that it is okay to be me, and not you.  Maybe, I would wake up excited about what I can do instead of disappointed in what I can't.  And maybe, I would say "thank you" God for making me and really mean it.

If I really believed, I would receive His words of love more fully, and reject the lies that say I am not enough.  I'm praying for the grace to be open to receive His truth about me and to really believe.

What about you?

Do you believe that God has gifted you to make a unique contribution to our world?  He has, so don't talk trash to yourself.  [I'm telling myself this...(smile)]

GIVEAWAY RESULTS:

Christy won The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner, and Nikki is the winner of Rumors of Water by L.L. Barkat.  Congrats to both Christy and Nikki!  A BIG THANKS to all who participated, and a special thanks to Laura Boggess and others (sorry, I don't know who you are) for tweeting about it.  Most of all, thanks to all the wonderful people who share their blogs/stories/poems with us.

Linking up with three amazing sisters in Christ's love today: Emily, Jennifer and Jen :)

Bless yourself and read their blogs...so wonderful!  

© Soul Stops/Dolly L. 2011.   Creative Commons License: Okay for noncommercial use if you attribute this post to me and link to my permalink and blog.