Are you being the person God made you to be? Or are you just going around pretending, trying to be what everybody else wants you to be, living up to their expectations, and following their dreams for your life?
When my dad went to be with the Lord and I first started pastoring at Lakewood Church, one of my biggest concerns was “How is everybody going to accept me?” After all, Daddy had been there for forty years, and everyone was accustomed to him.
His style and personality were much different from mine. My dad was a fireball of a preacher, always energetic and exciting. I’m a bit more laid back.
Seeking God’s Guidance
One night I was praying, asking God what I should do.
“Should I try to be more like my dad? Should I copy his style? Should I preach his messages?”
On and on I went. I was just so concerned about it. But the Lord spoke to me, not out loud, but deep down in my heart, saying, Joel, don’t copy anybody. Just be yourself Be who I created you to be. I don’t want a duplicate of your dad. I want an original.
The Freedom of Being Yourself
That truth set me free!
Lessons from Joshua
I love the reminder in the book of Joshua. Moses had just died, and the Lord wanted Joshua to take over as leader of His people. God said to Joshua,
“As I was with Moses, I will be with you.”
Notice He didn’t say,
“Joshua, you need to try to be just like Moses, then you’ll be okay.”
No, God said to Joshua,
“Be an original. Be who I made you to be, and then you’ll be successful.”
Walking in My Own Shoes
One of the secrets of any success I’ve had at Lakewood-and I know it all comes from God-would be that I have walked in my own shoes. I haven’t tried to fill Daddy’s shoes or anyone else’s.
I have not tried to be something that I’m not or tried to copy somebody else. I don’t step up on the platform and act one way, then go home and act another way. No, with me, what you see is who I am. That’s all the lord requires me to be and that’s all He expects of you, as well.
God’s Expectation for You
If you learn to be the original God made you to be, God will take you places you’ve never even dreamed of. You may have some faults, some areas you and God are refining.
But remember, God is in the process of changing you and if you’ll just be happy with who God made you to be and make a decision that you’re going to be the best you can be, God will pour out His favor in your life, and you’ll live that life of victory He has in store for you.
Don’t miss: Don’t Copy Others Be Yourself- Pastor (Dr.) Emmanuel Ojeagbase
