My family and I went apple picking today in an orchard which was full of over 130 acres of apple trees. There was every type of apple you can imagine and we were allowed to walk through the orchard picking and eating as much as we liked, filling our bag as we went.
The thing about apples is that everyone in our family seems to like a different variety of apples. Some like the crisp sour ones, some crunchy, some the sweet and soft, some red, others green, and everything else in between. God’s creation is full of variety, and if we care to look around we will discover all sorts of variety, complexities, and wonders all around us. From the changing landscape, seasons, wildlife, food and variety in nature we see God’s hand and creativity everywhere, and the more you look the more you realise that all this variety and uniqueness is a good thing.
Therefore why is it that we as people, also part of God’s creation, often strive so hard to fit in with everyone else and try to be all the same, when we’ve been created unique and with our own personal colour and flavour? Just as our family all like different apple varieties and it would be silly to try and make me eat soft apples when I like crisp. It’s just as unwise to try and make ourselves fit into a mold or shape we obviously aren’t made for, or attempt to push ourselves to like or do something so as to be acceptable to others when it’s not who God has created us to be.
Our self esteem and acceptance rests in knowing God has created us unique, and He wants us to then take the time to discover how that uniqueness shapes us as a person. It’s only when we allow ourselves to be shaped by other forces rather than God’s loving hand that we can end up getting “bent out of shape” and confused about who or what we are.
Today, stop trying to be something you were never created to be, and start listening to the one who created you in the first place. He will help you to see who you truly are, and where you fit with Him. He says you are one of a kind, valuable and precious, and He wants you to only speak good things about yourself, and to quit comparing yourself to others.
Today seek to focus not on your weaknesses but on your potential; on your ability, gifts, skills and talents, and know that God always finishes what He starts because you are His masterpiece.
“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”. (Philippians 1:6)
“You Lord are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands”. (Isaiah 64:8)
“We are His masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he has planned for us long ago”. (Ephesians 2 : 10)
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Prayer: Lord thank you for creating me so unique and special. Please help me to love who you made me to be, and to then discover with your help and wisdom what my own shape, colour and flavour is so that I won’t go through life being confused or disliking who I am. I choose to only speak what you say about me today. In Jesus name Amen
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