Monday, August 8, 2011

Owning Strengths and Weaknesses

I struggle to embrace some aspects of who I am. Case in point: I am a planner (Myers-Briggs language: I am a J). I like to make lists, think through how to get things done, and do them. In fact, I have already started knitting Christmas presents. Yes, I am thinking of Christmas in August.
I struggle because there are many people who don't plan as I do, who look at me like I'm really over prepared (which I often am) and a little crazy (again, often am). So I suppress it. I try to relax and let things go more. Don't get me wrong - being super uptight about one's plans and holding onto them tightly is NOT a good thing. But planning is not bad.
As I was knitting the thought hit me that God had to have a lot of things planned out for Christ to come when He did, as He did. A lot of planning went into Christ's ministry on earth. Yes, there was a lot of flexibility, but there were certain plans in place, too.
With that thought I was convicted of trying to suppress who God's created me to be - trying to be more like some mythical "other" who is more "holy" in some way then I am. I forget that God specially made me (and you) to reflect an aspect of who He is - no one (except Christ) fully displays His character, so I must strive to fully embrace the strengths God has given me, recognize the weakness, and lean on His grace and the Body of Christ to fill in the gaps.

No comments:

Post a Comment