Sometimes we forget what God has taught us over and over again. We are humans, just like the Israelites. God freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, led them through the parted Red Sea, and provided food for them in the desert, yet they still complained and forgot God’s Providence. Even though I know god had created me uniquely, I still questioned whether I was supposed to become someone different to please Him.

I was a very talkative child, full of energy and hope. After graduating high school and attending college, I started to question how I was supposed to behave. Even though I knew I was a child of God and He made me unique, I wondered if I was supposed to be meek and mild? And what did that entail? Mary, the mother of Jesus, always seemed so serene in the paintings I saw. Maybe I talked too much!? Should I be serious like the nuns and commit myself to a life of consecrated service, obedience, and chastity? After all, Paul said in 1 Corinthians that it was better to remain single as he was so a person could have undistracted devotion to God. That would mean I should definitely cancel my dating apps. My dad assured me that God allowed us to make life choices; not everything is black and white. After all, God also told people to be fruitful and multiply, so God could bless me with whatever decision I made.

While I wrestled with these life questions, I felt guilty whenever I would have fun. I thought, maybe I‘m Not devoted enough. I should speak more quietly, not be so loud and boisterous; it will give Christians a bad name. I should be more disciplined and have my life together.

A close friend from my high school in England had since moved to California. I lived in North Carolina and hadn’t seen her in years, but she called me out of the blue and we had a conversation about my concerns. I told her I felt like I needed to somehow be different and I wasn’t very happy. She said she had been reading a book about joy and recommended it to me. I ordered it immediately.

The next day I went to church; after worship service a lady approached me. I was taken aback because she was a complete stranger.
She told me,

“God told me to tell you that He wants you to have joy.”

I burst into tears.

I knew without a doubt that God was giving me a message. He had answered my question and confirmed my friend’s advice. He did want me to have joy.

Christians don’t have to be serious all the time. I love the series ‘The Chosen’ for so many reasons… But one of which is: it shows that Jesus has a sense of humor. And above all, He loves us! And He loves us just the way we are – unconditionally, and He delights in the unique people He created us to be, even as He continues to shape us to become more like Christ!
God has given us all gifts.
Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”
1 Corinthians 12:15-20 “Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

I am not supposed to be Mary, or Sister Constance, or Mother Theresa. God made me me, and I’m to be used by God in the way He has ordained it.

God doesn’t ask us to become someone else to serve Him—He calls us to become the person He created us to be.

He has intentionally created me with my own personality, gifts, and calling. My job isn’t to become someone I’m not—it’s to surrender who I am to Him and let Him use me for His glory.

Maybe you’ve been trying to fit someone else’s mold of what a Christian should look like, But God didn’t make a mistake when He created you. He gave you your personality, your gifts, and your story for a reason. Let Him transform your heart, and don’t believe the lie that you have to become someone else before He can use you.

 Psalm 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”