Point Of Difference

God has no favourites. Growing up, especially being the middle child, I always believed I was the odd one out, and that my brother and sister were the favourites, simply for being the eldest and the youngest. I'd also get jealous of their talents and skills. They were good at the things I wanted to be good at. To me they had more noticeable and practical talents. My brother is brilliant at music (we can all play musical instruments), he also excelled in sport (rowing in particular), drama, anything he put his mind to. He has a brilliant mind. I celebrate those gifts and talents now, but earlier on, they frustrated me. And my sister, she has a knack for IT, and science, she's pretty and popular, is good with money, makes a great home. Again, at the time, I constantly compared myself, and not just with family, but people around me, people at school and after school, people at work. I never felt good enough. And thought that everyone had favourites and I was left out.

But that's not the way it works with God. Galatians 2:6-9 speaks about just that. Paul declares that God has no favourites, and that he and Peter had been given different tasks and responsibilites. They were serving the same God, and were equal in His eyes, but had different strengths. It's the same with all of us. We've all been gven different strengths and roles in life, none higher than another. Some are more front of stage and in the spotlight than others, yes, but it's all just as important to God and works together. I have as much to offer as the next person. You have as much to offer as the person next to you, or the person on TV, or the manager of a multi-million dollar business. We should be able to recognise each other's gifts as unique from God and encourage each other in these gifts as we continue our own work we've been given to do. Rejoice in your own gift, recognise it as unique and God given and vitally important to this world, and encourage others in theirs. You have something that this world needs. That's why you are not the same as everyone else. That's why you have different talents. If you had exactly the same mix of talents and personality as everyone else, you wouldn't be needed. But because you are created as an individual and with unique giftings, this world NEEDS YOU! This generation needs you, it needs what you have to offer, so give it to them!
Galations 6:4-5 says:
"Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct".
If you focus on your gifts and what you should be doing, then you'll lose the need to compare yourself to others. You won't need to because you become satisfied in what you're doing, because you are doing what you were made to do. You will begin to have confidence in yourself and see why you are needed.
I was the queen of comparison and it's something I still need to watch, but God has been teaching me and showing me the difference I am making when I do what I do best. Sure sometimes I need to be reminded of my gifts and why I do the things I do, and if I'm doing the right thing, but God is faithful, and will encourage you and show you, because He wants the best for you and the best out of you. He created you for you the best, so be the best and love it! And hey, it's ok if you're unsure about your gifts and what you're meant to do. That's what this journey is about with God, discovering who you are. Just ask Him who you are, ask Him to show you your strengths and your talents, listen to what people around you say you're good at, listen to your heart. What makes you angry? What makes you happy? What gets you heart racing? What do you get passionate about? Some of these things may take time to discover, and may take some developing, but go after it! If it's what God has placed inside you, He has already set the path for success and given you what you need to be the best. God told me to take what He has given me and share it with others. He told me that I had so much to offer, a wealth of potential and dreams within me, He told me dare to believe and dare to dream. Believe that I have the capability to achieve what I dream of, what you I see.
That isn't just for me, it's for you too, so go on, dream and believe. I dare you!