Just Be You

I know, dear God, that you care nothing for the surface—you want us, our true selves. 1 Chronicles 29:17 (MSG)

It’s hard to put our true selves out there, isn’t it? Even harder to find people who’ll accept us for our real selves. For some it’s all about the mistakes we’ve made that still cling to us. For others it’s our hobbies or talents that don’t seem mainstream enough. Maybe it’s our skin isn’t clear, our hair is frizzy, we’re too tall or too short…there are countless reasons people choose to hide behind masks and not reveal who they really are.

But, oh, friend, every one of those reasons (even ones you add to my very incomplete list above) shrink in the light of the One who desires our true selves. And why wouldn’t he? He created us. He put each pound and wrinkle right where it is. He stretched each bone to the perfect measurement and wove into our cores all the talents and passions unique to the very person he envisioned when he formed us. God wants what he created…us. Not what we’re trying to hide behind.

So today shed the surface you’ve knit together that’s covering up your true self and step out boldly into who he fashioned you to be. That’s all he wants. You.

Lord, today I pray that I can step out from behind anything I’ve hidden behind and offer you my true self. Help me to be bold as the person you created and walk confidently in the beauty you gave me. Let me see myself as you do and help me to fall as much in love with each facet of myself as you are. Amen.