Some time ago, I was reading the book You Are the Girl for the Job by Jess Connolly. My takeaway was this one exercise at the beginning that asked me to write about my idealized self. So here is the reveal. And guys, this is not just for the girls. So hang in there.
MY IDEALIZED SELF:
On my best days, I see myself as loving, benevolent, inspiring, teaching, completing tasks at hand, giving out words of knowledge, opening up a business for passive income, traveling, speaking, and doing book signings for published books.
I see myself as energetic and curious about traveling and experiencing new places and cultures. During this part of my journey, I see lives transformed, gratitude, joy, love, and hope taking center stage. Concerns, fear, inadequacy, timidity, and fear of faithlessness are pushed aside.
I serve an all-powerful, all-sufficient God, and I am capable of doing anything that I want to tackle as long as He is walking alongside me.
God created me for this time, so I wave goodbye to my idealized self and hug my real self, which responds to and deals with real people and the real world.
MY ACTUAL SELF:
My real self is my most influential self because that is who lives in my skin. I still see weakness, face obstacles, feel pain, or am the cause of it--this is me, but I am evolving daily.
I am better equipped today than yesterday to face challenges that try to trip me up. They will likely cause me to grow in my resolve as my frailties are uncovered. My life is a journey. I've learned that it is in the rough spots that as my weaknesses are revealed, these are times when I experience the sweetest communion with God.
It is in these challenging places that open my eyes to a need for power outside of myself and discover strengths that have been developed over the years. As I trust myself to God's direction and care, I also experience His presence as He hovers over me with loving care in times of crisis.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. NIV
Just like hydrogen alone is highly flammable and potentially explosive, I, just on my own, can cause a lot of damage to myself and others. So, I choose to merge and live my life under God's tutelage: under his wise counsel. I submit to his authority because He walks in perfect love and knows everything I need to grow into the ruler and priest He created me to be. Plus, the Holy Spirit fills this earthly temple.
After experiencing His loving care and goodness toward me so many times during the dark hours of my life, I will never choose to face life without Him.
ACTUAL ME + GOD = vibrant life
It's you and me against the world, God! We've got this.
1 Peter 1:12: "Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this." MSG
A spirit-empowered life of purpose is one where we choose to strategize with God through our unique gifts and callings. This option is unique to being human. Embrace your actual self and maximize your greatness by embracing the Creator.
*Disclaimer: I credit Jess for any seemingly borrowed thoughts. I journaled about what I had read and wrote from those books. Her book was a sweet read.
