The Best You

Have you ever gotten a ‘great’ idea ? I mean a really ‘great’ idea? C’mon, don’t be modest. I know you have. We’ve all had those ideas that are just brilliant and even said “This is it!” Maybe it was inspired by someone or a word you heard in Church; maybe something you saw on TV or on a billboard driving down the highway.

So after time, prayerful consideration, and thoroughly seeking the Lord’s direction, you are confident that this ‘great’ idea is really from the Lord. And, here you go…you finally know it’s time! It’s really time to do this! What is ‘this’ you may ask? Well, it could be anything…recording an album, writing a book or even a blog, starting a Bible Study, beginning a community outreach project, launching a business or a website, going on a mission trip, _(you fill in the blank)_ …

The list could go on and on and I must admit it can be rather exciting to start a new venture; it’s like an adventure. Everything seems new and fresh and things are happening. Take writing a blog for example (I only use this example because blogging is one of those new ‘great’ ideas I have just begun). I have always enjoyed writing but hadn’t done anything with it until recently, just woke up one morning and knew “This was it! I’m going to write my first blog today!” and so I did. It was kind of exciting, thrilling. Who would read it? Would it be any good? What would it look like? What would I write about? How can I improve the next one? And the thinking began…

So, let’s say you finally write your first blog and when you’re done, you feel accomplished. You did something that was completely and uniquely you. It really felt good. Then of course days later you start to think, I need to do more. I need to do better. You know so many people who are writing something new every day and each time they are more creative. So what do you do? You start making notes, asking questions, looking at their pictures, the analogies, the stories, the…

And here’s where one important word comes in…

Yes, that’s right. STOP!  How many times have we begun something that God has directed us to do and when we get ‘stuck’ we start looking at what other people are doing? Or researching what the latest trends are?

Of course we can learn a lot from our friends and others who have accomplished greatness. We even want to rejoice with them in their successes; however, my friends, be watchful that you don’t become distracted by what other people are doing and lose sight of the God-given vision He has planned for your life.  I like what Galatians 6:4-5 says in the Message:

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

It’s that simple. Don’t compare yourself with others. God has called YOU to do and be something so GREAT that is fitting only to YOU. He even carefully planned it ALL out before you were even born.

So trust the Lord with every step and detail of whatever ‘great’ idea you have, for it is He who is the GREATNESS inside you to accomplish every ‘GREAT’ idea you have.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.              Proverbs 3:5-6 amp

And remember to be THE BEST YOU!