Thursday, April 2, 2009

Free To Be Me

There is no feeling greater than the peace that comes with simply being yourself. God created us to be ourselves! He did not create me to imitate my sister or my role models. God created me, Emily Beth Cummins, to bring honor and glory to His Name in only the way that I can. I am different than everyone else. I am the only me. Shouldn't that be worth celebrating and enjoying?! Yet we live in a world where individuality isn't really too popular. Conformity is key to surviving in the "real world"--or so we think. God doesn't call us to conform, or change ourselves, into other people. He says in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." We can only see God's will for our lives and be connected to Him when we are who He created us to be--not morphing ourselves into someone we are not. Matthew 23:11-12 says, "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty." God says to simply be yourself.


There is no formula or ten-step guide to being yourself. In order to be yourself, you must know yourself. We spend time getting to know others, but do we ever take the time to really get to know ourselves....in God's light? Through reading His Word, journaling, praying, and dreaming with Jesus you can find who He created you to be.


When we finally realize that Jesus wants us to be ourselves, we will also see that we need to let others be who they are as well. While I am free to be me, you are free to be you! So many times we try to change others to fit our definiton of life or how we want to be treated, yet we can't change anyone! Only Jesus can help change hearts. But as we take the time to discover ourselves and truly live, it is important to give others that same freedom too.


"Free to be Me" ~Francesca Battistelli
At twenty years of age
I'm still looking for a dream
A war is already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can't always see, 'cause...
I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me
When I was just a girl
I thought I had it figured out
See my life will turn out right
And I'll make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt, 'cause...
And you're free to be you
Sometimes I believe
That I can do anything
Yet other times I think
I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and you tell me That I've got all You seek
And it's easy to believe, even though...
And you're free to be you

You will never feel more content or free than when you simply be yourself and allow others to be themselves too. Be who God intended you to be. That's where true joy comes too.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Emily! Just dropping in to say hello. Hope you've had a great week, and enjoy your weekend! It's amazing how difficult being our own created selves can be at times. Thank the Lord He has made Himself available to help us, since He created us anyway! :o)
~Shanna Weekes

Amy said...

Oh I love that song! I was actually playing it on my guitar last night, haha, how ironic. I have been listening to her particularly alot lately, i love that cd...alot. Oh and I want to thank you again for praying for my friend last week. I have a feeling she might come out of her coma this weekend!..or i am hoping and praying she does...Well, good post :)
love ya,
amy