The Gift of Being Yourself

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

-Psalm 139:14

Recently, I’ve been reading a book called The Gift of Being Yourself by David G. Benner.  In an eye-opening quote at the beginning of the book, David writes:

“In all of creation, identity is a challenge only for humans. A tulip knows exactly what it is. It is never tempted by false ways of being. Nor does it face complicated decisions in the process of becoming. So it is with dogs, rocks, trees, stars, amoebas, electrons and all other things. All give glory to God by being exactly what they are. For in being what God means them to be, they are obeying him.” 

Raised in a home where productivity was prized above all else, I’ve often wrestled with a "performance-based faith." For so long, my value was tied to what I could achieve rather than who I was in Christ. 

But here's the truth: God is glorified when I stop trying to earn his love and instead embrace it. He is glorified when I lean into being the person he created me to be rather than comparing my life to the measuring stick of someone else's. 

And the same is true for you! 

Quit trying on different identities and embrace the one God gave you! There is so much freedom and rest in the knowledge that you are ENOUGH simply because you are God's beloved child.