Hello friends!
Have you ever felt like there are so many rules about who you are supposed to be? Maybe people tell you that you need to get good grades, be good at sports, look a certain way, have lots of friends, or make everyone happy. Sometimes church can even feel like a list of things we need to do ignorer to be who we are suppose to be… Pray more. Help more. Give more. Be better. But here’s something important I want you to know… God is not asking you to be perfect. God loves you just as you are and wants you to become the person He created you to be.
Paul wrote a letter to Christians in Rome who weren’t getting along, and in Romans 12, he tells them that God has a whole new way for us to be humans. That this was the way for the church to be who they were created to be.
Paul starts by saying to them… “Give your whole self to God.” That means you can bring all of you to God. You can bring your happy feelings, your sad feelings, your questions, your worries, your dreams, your mistakes, and even the things you don't understand yet. God wants the whole you.
Paul then says, “Do not be conformed to this world.” This means… Don’t let other people decide who you are. The world might tell you that you need to be popular, have lots of friends, be the best at everything, or have lots of followers to be important. But God says something different. You are already important because God made you and loves you.
Lastly Paul wrote to the church… “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That means learning to see things in a new way. Jesus saw people differently. He noticed people who were lonely or left out. He showed love to people others ignored. He helped people see that they mattered. Following Jesus means learning to see people the way Jesus sees them… with love, kindness, and compassion.
So this week, try to pay attention.
- Pay attention to the things that make you happy and the things that make you feel tired or sad
- Pay attention when someone needs a friend
- Pay attention to the beauty around you
- Pay attention to the moments when you feel thankful, curious, peaceful, or full of wonder. Look for beauty. Choose kindness. Ask questions. Help someone. Make room for wonder.
And remember that you don't have to figure everything out by yourself. Romans 12 also reminds us that everyone has special gifts. Maybe you are good at making people laugh. Maybe you are a great listener. Maybe you notice when someone feels left out. Maybe you love helping people. Maybe you are creative, brave, kind, curious, or really good at teaching others. And if you aren't sure what your gift is yet, that's okay! You are still growing. Each one of us matters and is important to the church.
So remember… God isn't asking you to become someone else. God is helping you become more fully the wonderful person you were created to be. God loves the whole you, you are loved and you have something beautiful to offer the world.
Hope to see you at Bella Quinn this Sunday!
Grace & Peace! Melissa
