Life Is A Highway - Be the person you were created to be

I'm back for another installment of my 'Life is A Highway' Series, based on a recent speaking engagement. Today I'm talking about being the person God created you to be. (Which is a great topic for today since it's also my birthday!)

PSALMS 139: v 13 – 16

“For thou did form my inward parts; thou did weave me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from thee when I was made in secret. And skilfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed being and in Thy book they were all written; the days that were ordained for me – when as yet there was not one of them…”

In order to be the person God created you to be you need to do the following four things:

-      Know yourself, accept yourself, nurture yourself, love yourself

I come from a long line of teachers (four generations) and generally 'artsy' people. My Grandmother could quote long passages from Shakespeare, Longfellow and Robbie Burns – probably why I like poetry to this day, and my mother was an eccentric artist known for painting on just about anything. I understand that my creative bent – perhaps even my quirkiness - runs pretty deep genetically.

Even though I understood this for years – I ‘knew myself’ – I didn’t always accept myself. As a child all I wanted to do was draw. I filled sketchbook after sketchbook. I was good at art, I loved music – (I sang in three different choirs, played in the band, and played piano), I was involved in drama, and I had good grades … yet it still hurt every time I was picked last (or second last – it was always a toss up between me and another girl…) for a team sport. Often that’s how it is in school – sports rule. And for those of us that aren’t so inclined, PE can be your worst nightmare.

Do you still feel like that kid sometimes? Inadequate because you can’t do something as well as someone else? Or maybe what you are good at isn’t valued in our society as highly as other things.

I think it is important to first of all recognize your uniqueness and quit trying to fit into someone else’s mold. God made you exactly the way he wanted you, quirks and all. It was a liberating experience when I finally embraced that fully.

JEREMIAH 1: 5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you were born I consecrated you...”

As I already said, I am a creative. Creativity literally drives everything I do. Unfortunately, this can have its downside. It drives the ‘sequential people’ crazy. For instance, recipes are just guidelines. I'd rather just glance at the ingredients and make it up. The same goes with a pattern when I’m sewing. I make a lot of costumes for my productions and I rarely use a pattern. Unfortunately, you do tend to waste more material that way…But that is just how I’m hardwired. I like a guideline with lots of room for freedom of expression.

For years my husband didn’t get it. It drives him nuts when we play a board game together. Even though he is an ‘adventurer’ he also has a deeply engrained sense of order. His money is all lined up, facing the same direction, and mine is in this big wad. Every once in awhile I reach over and mess his up just for fun. 

Anyway, where as I get energized from creativity – art, music, literature - he gets energy from being outdoors and doing mechanical things. (Clarify: Not that I don’t like the outdoors, but it’s more that I get inspired to draw or write from the scenery than just enjoying it for what it is…) For years he was frustrated because he was trying to make me ‘like’ what he liked. We had six sets of downhill skis, six sets of cross country skis, gold clubs, tennis rackets, boating gear… you name it! We had a sporting goods store going on in our garage. And yes, we did do many of these things together as a family, but for him it wasn’t quite as wonderful as he was imagining, since I wasn't loving it the way he thought I should. I’d go along and tolerate the activity, but I’d be much happier if I could have brought my sketchbook or some paints and painted a picture of the scenery while sitting in the chalet.

When we finally figured it out it was a revolutionary thing for us and our relationship. He quit trying to force me into having ‘fun’ doing the things he enjoyed and I quit complaining about it, as I understood that he needed to do that stuff to keep his tank full. We could still do things together, but now it was done with a different attitude – it became an act of love for the other person. He can come to a play or an art gallery as a way of showing me he loves me, and I can go camping or boating as a way to show him that I love him. And in some cases, we can compromise.

We went on a weekend fishing trip to a fly in fishing camp in the Yukon. I brought my laptop, my paints and my sketchbook. While he and two of our friends were out fishing all day long (which I would have found absolutely horrible!) I enjoyed myself painting and writing in a beautiful scenic location. We both had the best time ever! Learn to nurture yourself in meaningful ways and don't try to fit in someone else's mold.

To recap:

1.  Know yourself

2.  Accept yourself

3.  Nurture yourself

4.  Love yourself ...
                  because you are created in the divine image of God for a special purpose.

All He is asking of you is to walk with Him everyday, and let Him take care of the details.

Other posts in the series:
Life is a Highway - an everyday journey with God
Life Is a Highway - at Camp Sagitawa