Jellybeans
Rather be a daisy growing in a field of weeds
Than a rose in a rose garden
Standing out is better than looking like everyone else
Rather have a ripped nail
Than a manicure
Better use my hands to work
Rather have some worn out shoes
Than some polished pumps
Want to have walked many places
Rather have survived day by day
Then have a house
Trusting God wouldn’t be an option
Rather have witnessed injustice
Than live in a fair society
Seeing my blessings would be much easier
Rather have scars throughout my body
Than a dolls complexion
Experience opens doors to a heart-knocking testimony
Rather be persecuted
Than tolerate lies
I’d take part in Christ’s sufferings
Rather love those who hate me
Than stay in my comfort zone
The wicked and their demons have been long time lovers
Rather my children grow up in poverty
Than drown in riches
Their values would be in the right places, they’d learn true gratitude
Rather my life be for someone else
Than to die for myself.
*Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you. You will know what is good and pleasing to him, and what is perfect.*
Don’t be a dead fish, is basically what God is telling us here in Romans. Having lived amongst society many of us many times conform to the ways of the world and become followers; as dead fish are to the current of the water. How boring! Who wants to live in a world where everyone is the same, everyone acts the same, talks the same, likes the same things and thinks the same way. If we pay attention, we will realize that most do, there really is only a small percentage of people who really are set apart form the rest. God wants us to be ourselves! Many think it’s a great idea until they realize they have no idea who they are. How can someone be themselves when they don’t have the slightest clue who they are? God tells us in his word exactly who we are: His children! (John 1:12) That is an unshakable and eternal identity. People are in desperate searches for themselves and settle on whatever label society gives them, goth, gay, prep, nerd, and so on. Many also try to identify themselves according to their profession such as business man, doctor, athlete, scientist, chef. But all those things pass away, what if one day you injure your hand and can no longer cook, would you still be a chef? Or what if you get in a car accident and end up paralyzed, would you still be an athlete? Where would your identity be then? No matter what happens we will always be God’s children, we are perfect in his eyes no matter how many times we mess up.
Now, going back to Romans the second part of the verse says “be transformed by a new way of thinking, then you will be able to decide what God wants for you, you will know what is good and pleasing to him, what is perfect.” In all we do we need to lean not on our own understanding as proverbs 3:5 says and listen to what God has to say. We as humans can, and most likely will, be flawed in our thinking, that’s why we can only rely on God. When we chose to humble ourselves and listen to him, our way of thinking is transformed. No longer will your thoughts be the same as the worlds, but that of Christ’s. (1 Corinthians 2:16 ) We will see things through His eyes according to His word. God reveals what he wants for you, what is good and pleasing to him. He has a purpose for all of us, therefore none of us are exactly the same. God gave each of us an original personality. He has different missions for us and made each of our personalities perfect for what he needs us to do. Sadly, our flesh gets in the way many times and we fail to see what God is telling us. We just need to listen to him and let loose our individuality. I encourage you to do so and become passionate in who God made you to be because it was certainly no accident. You are the way you are because he intended you to be that way, quirks and all! Personally, I love writing, poetry, stories, blogs, skits, everything! For a time I wondered, why would God give me this talent? Few people like to read or understand poetry, it’s not as popular as music or films how will I reach people like this? As soon as I chose to stop worrying and just keep writing for Him I have felt an improvement in my writing! God has allowed opportunities for me to reach others through sharing my ideas like the poem in the beginning and writing blogs like this for everyone here to read.
We are like jellybeans, from the same creator but different flavors. So once more I encourage everyone to let God point out their one-of-a-kind personality and His purpose for it in our lives.
-Romans 12:2-
