Remembering Who I Am

I often look around for encouragement in who I want to be like as I continue to grow and develop. I look around and see all the greats going before me. Completely amazed by where they are and what they're like. 

There's something inside of my subconscious that tells me that in order to be as loved and honored by others as they are, I need to just recreate them. 

I caught myself in those thoughts today! 

That's completely wrong! 

There is only one of them and one of me. 

I'm not saying I don't appreciate who I am because I definitely do. I think there are so many special characteristics about myself that God put in me. 

I am saying that I naturally look up to others who I respect, which can be a very positive thing. But there are two things we can't forget when looking at others like ourselves: 

1. We are One of A Kind! 

We are so uniquely made and only you can be the best version of yourself. Look to other for encouragement as you see them blossom, but look to Jesus to tell you who you are. The longer we wait to do that, the longer we prolong growth and LOVE FOR OURSELVES. 

2. Those people that we constantly look up to were a process. They weren't born with such a polished way about them. They went through awkward puberty, thinking too much of themselves, discouragement, and probably a lot of humbling.  

Thanks Jesus for being so real and active in my thought life today.

-Aaron

Position Over Competition

I have an inner dilemma that controls my thoughts pretty regularly. My heart has always been for the ministry and to be leading in some aspect. But right now I'm committed to getting school done and working a part-time job and being faithful with the friend group I've been blessed with. I'm the type of person that wants instant gratification so this season has been stretching for me. I'm excited about school and how well cultured its making me as I dig deeper into Sociology and History, but there is always a pull from my heart to just be giving ministry everything I have. 

I've been thinking a lot about the incredible leaders around me that get to do what I want to do. Its an amazing thing to see someone thrive in what they are called to. It can also be a struggle if you feel called to the same thing but aren't in the same season. There is a decision that has to be made. No doubt that it is a slugfest between my flesh and my confident God-given identity. The decision is to either envy or feel threatened by this equal or to support and help promote them in God's calling on their life. The world tells us that we have to compete and push others down to get what we want and to stay instead. I think the Lord calls us to something higher. 

I watched a message from one of my favorites, Judah Smith called "What Just Happened?" He talks about how our position is granted before our practice and not the other way around. I have to choose to be confident in who God made me to be, in the purpose he has called me to, and that He is the one that opens doors and closes Him. We can try and wiggle ourselves into opportunities, but at the end of the day God has the final say in where favor given. Besides, there is too much baggage that comes along with the world system. Things like: worry, stress, competition, and let down. His way brings promise, protection, faith, and lifting each other up. That's who I want to be and that's who I'm choosing to be. My position is final, therefore my practice can be humble and confident. 

-Aaron