Last week I had lunch with an amazing guy. If I mentioned his name no doubt every one of you would know of him. He’s quite the accomplished singer and songwriter and to the bewilderment of many of his fans and the industry he walked away from it all at the peak of his career.
Why?
Because he was living a lie.
His career had pushed him into a place where he was chronically dissatisfied with the life he was forced to live. It wasn’t true to the way he had been wired by his Creator.
You know we talk a lot about the importance of knowing who you are. And I agree, this is vitally important. But I also think it’s equally important to know who you’re not.
I think it’s painfullly obvious that way too many Christian are attempting to live a life that is not true to who they are.
Introverts trying to be the life of the party.
Extroverts trying to go on week long trips in solitude and expecting to be “filled” up.
Unfortunately, often in churches we expect everyone to be the same, grow the same, and look the same. Sometimes in churches we forget about the uniqueness of each soul.
There is so much I don’t understand about life and spiritual growth, but I do know souls don’t develop in cookie-cutter fashion and churches were never intended to become factories which crank out people who would be at the same place at the same time.
I want to reserve today’s comments to one word.
Fill in the blank.
I am not ___________________.
Mine? I am not a journaler.
One word. Go.
who I want to be
I am not…
…as “together” in many aspects of my life as I appear.
Yes, yes, this is longer than a word…. So sue me. (Or don’t… please…
)
I am not…a good corn hole player. Pete I think you can agree with me on that one. (Getting the bag stuck in the ceiling…Fail)
But on another note…
I am not…Scared. I don’t know what I am going to do come May once my internship is over at Catalyst or where I will live or work…But I am at peace and I know that God will take care of me. I have come this far by following His whispers and He has confirmed every step. I feel as if I should be scared, but I am not and I don’t plan to be.
I can’t really answer this question honestly, because what I say that “I am not” today, I would say that “I am” tomorrow.
Here’s lies my problem. This post couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. I envy people that know that they know “WHO THEY ARE”. I’m on this search as I type.
Do you think we always are on this search Pete, or do people really arrive?
I am not a victim, but a survivor.
finished!
content
I am not satisfied.
I am not afraid to take a risk for God.
i’m not…
pregnant (but I want to be)
a leader (because I’m scared)
a crowd person (but I like people one on one)
who I was in high school (turning 26 on Saturday)
I am not creative.
I am not what I thought I would be.
hiding anymore
…who I know God wants me, or that my husband and kids deserve, yet.
I am not patient (but God is asking me to be).
…difficult (at least, I don’t try to be). Complex is how someone described me once. That’s a better description.
…wholly surrendered.
…who I was
But I’m also not who I will be.
So thankful for His eternal work in me! He wont give up!
… My career. Or my brother. (and I think it’s going to be ok)…
…damaged goods.
home.
I am not……alone
finished.
I’m not everything. Thanks for reminding me.
Home yet. I have to remind myself of this all the time, has a way of giving me perspective and it frees me up to risk on people in new ways!
I am not everything. i cant do all things through Christ who gives me strength. this is very insightful. God bless
I am not a…vegetarian
together
ready for what I am going to have to deal with in the future.
Republican
I am NOT Miss Goody Goody!
I am not perfect.
I am not… organized.
wanted
I am not ready to lead Gods church.
…underwhelmed by this post.
…turned on by uber productivity.
I am not an early morning person.
sure.
Satisfied
… rejected.
in control. God is.
…too young.
my mistakes!
infallible
I am not a hand raiser, but I want to be. http://www.confessionsofalegalist.com/2010/12/06/hand-raising/
I am not like my leader ( the one who disciple me until I became a strong Christian.. ) I am Christ-like.
As she is. 
My leader always reminds me that in our small group we are not molding a new us ( like imparting the way we talk & things alike. )… rather, we’re discipling a person to become like Jesus.
imparting Jesus’ character. 
I am not…certain that what I am doing in life is my calling…but I also don’t know what else to do.
enough
everyone else.
what other people think I am.
afraid.