“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart” –Jeremiah 1:5, NLT

I love the quote by John Mason that says “You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” Our identities are as different and astonishing as the intricate smudge of our fingerprints, and yet so many people abandon their uniqueness to follow a crowd they deem “popular,” “successful,” or “cool.”

Why does this happen? Why do people become sheeple – that is, unthinking followers within a homogeneous herd –  instead of rising up and taking the staff of greatness God has for those ready and willing to walk and live boldly, as Moses did?[1]

I think part of the answer lies in lies.

We’re told lies by media, which are constantly feeding us toxic content that’s saturated with celebrities we’re conditioned to, whether intentionally or not, worship and imitate. We don’t want to be us anymore; we want to be rich and famous, whatever it takes.

We’re told lies by social media, which daily broadcast the smiling faces, shiny new toys, and stellar accomplishments of friends who seem to have it all together. We don’t want to be losers anymore; we want what they have.

We’re even told lies by family members, who may tell us that regardless of our innate, God-given gifts and personalities, we need to be more _____________ and more like _____________.

When influences such as these collide, our identities can easily become lost in the wreckage. Due to the deafening din of media voices, social media images, and loved ones’ discouragement, we can no longer hear the still, small whisper[2] of God’s own Spirit reminding us of who we are in Christ.

Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that we can tune out all media and ignore the opinions of those closest to us. That simply isn’t a realistic long-term goal. What we can set out to do is pay careful attention to how we receive the influx of information that flows through our day.

Today, ask yourself whether what you’re seeing or hearing lines up with who God has made you to be and what He’s calling you to do. If it doesn’t, extinguish the darts of doubt before they hit you. Remember the positive promises of God’s love for you, expressed in verses such as today’s, Jeremiah 1:5.

Remember, you’re an original.

 

 

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