Unwrapped

Unwrapped

 

 

The wrapping is flawless, the bow is tied just right, and you’ve gone to present this gift to your friends.  Inevitably, it is to be completely torn apart.  In the end, you and I both know the only thing that matters is the contents of the package; yet we still wrap it and make it look as intriguing as possible. Now take what I just said to you and apply it to yourself.  We, as humans, automatically feel obligated to put on an act; a mask; in order to please the world. I mean, it’s the easy way out right?  Your packaging will be good enough that people won’t judge it, and from the surface they can’t see what’s inside.  Sound like a good deal to you?

Sure, blending in doesn’t really seem like a bad thing, in theory.  I mean, the outcasts are always picked on.  So why would you possibly want to be unique? Why take off the mask when everyone seems to like it just fine?

When we wrap ourselves in a design pleasing to the world, everything becomes uniform.  The unique gifts, talents, and personalities we have been given are over-shadowed and masked, and suddenly there’s nothing so special about you anymore.  So my challenge to you—unwrap the gift.  I don’t know about you, but I love seeing the unique things about each individual.  It’s fascinating to me.  I mean, God created us all so differently (even though there are billions of people in the world.)  There’s really nothing interesting about being like everyone else, and when we try to do so were deliberately avoiding what God has called us to be.

The truth: You have a unique purpose.              

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139: 14-16

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

I’ve said this before, but it still stands true. You have been placed on this world to do something great; something no one else can do.  Maybe it’s something as simple as being a friend to the girl in your class who never seems to get noticed.  Or maybe you are to come up with the cure to cancer…WHO KNOWS! Regardless, you will not achieve these things if your focus is on blending into the crowd and acting like everyone else.

The truth: You can’t make a difference by fading into the background.

To create an impact, you have to step out.  You have to do something different.  Change doesn’t happen when you do what everyone else is doing!

Take Paul, (from the Bible), for example.  He was called by God to be an apostle.  Now just like we must do today, He had to go against the social “norms” in order to fulfill his calling. Although he faced many trials, he made such a great impact. He changed the world and led many to Christ because he was willing to step out and be different; fulfilling God’s calling in his life. Just imagine—what if he decided to just blend into the world and focus on pleasing others? Although you may not be called to missions, you still have a calling.  There’s something about you which is unique, but you must be willing to step out in confidence to create an impact! If you haven’t read much about the story of Paul, I encourage you to read about him in the book of Acts.

The truth: Embracing your calling, and being what you were made to be, (not what the world structured you to be) is HOT.

(yes I just said hot.)

Ever heard a guy/girl say, “Wow, she acts like every other girl I’ve met.  It’s so cute.”   Ever heard someone say, “Wow, I wish I could be just like that Britney Spears impersonator.”  Yeah, I didn’t think so.  Not that it matters to be accepted by society, (we only need to be accepted by God); however people are known to cling to those who stand out.  The things that are special and unique to you are the things that make you great! Why avoid them?!

Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

And on an ending note….

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever 1 John 2:17

I hope that this post challenges you to unwrap! (No, I’m not saying take your clothes off.)  You have unique gifts, and being like everyone else is boring! I encourage you to chase after your calling, and just be yourself! What have you got to lose?

Until next time,

-Tamara