There are age old expressions that get passed down from generation to generation. Like, "Oh for Pete's sake." I mean who is Pete? And whats the story behind Pete? Well the other night I made the comment, "They beat to their own drum" and a young girl looked at me all serious and asked, "What does that mean?" After I had explained the age old saying I thought to myself, that's me. I have always felt different. Looking around at other girls, then women, I have seen myself as set apart. Not quite fitting the mold everyone else seemed to so easily fill. And honestly I have felt most comfortable being.... well, me. That is until I see myself through someone else's eyes. Then I feel like an odd duck. A contrast to the norm, and doubt and fear step in.
But the truth is, I am just the way God created me to be. Just like you, I am made perfect for the purpose that he created in me and to do the works he intended me to do.
As women we are particularly vulnerable to fear, because we care, because we love, and because God's design for woman was to be a nurturer, a helper, and a caretaker. But the bible tells us that "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear." I John 4:18. We feel fear when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. But our vulnerability is part of what makes us women. It enables us to love with fierceness, protect relationships, feel deep passion and to comfort and offer mercy to others. It's the ability to be the mama bear to protect our offspring and the fight in us that protects the heart. The flip side is that when you love, you are vulnerable to loss, exposure and abandonment.
Society says "you are plain." Jesus says, "You are more than."
Society says, "You are too much." Jesus says, "You are beautifully and wonderfully made."
How God created you is essential to accomplishing his purpose for your life. We all have a point at which we choose which evidence to believe. Do we rely on the masses to tell us who we are? Do we rely on the image in the dressing room mirror? Or do we look up to God and let him tell us what is real? As women we need to listen to God's spirit more than we listen to society.
It's not an easy assignment. And I can attest to that. I struggle when the tv and media parade women around and say, "This is who you should be." I struggle when men believe it. I struggle to be seen as "more than", when others only see the outside of me. I struggle when people compare me to others, or expect me to "feel" like others feel. I beat to my own drum, but sometimes I just want a band to back me up.
But what I am learning is, God designed me on purpose and equipped me, just as I am, for my journey. No one else is designed like me because no one else was created to do what he wants me to do. I can stop feeling like I don't measure up, and you can too. If you have been feeling different than everyone else, then take a breath. God did that on purpose! No one has what you have to offer the world. Even your little corner of it.
We as women strive for perfection. Perfection seems like the best security against rejection. If our house is spotless and our jeans fit just right, and we show the perfect smile, perfect flowing hair, who wouldn't love us, right? But God says, " My special beautiful daughter, you do not have to be perfect, because you are already loved perfectly by me."