As we make our way through the last few topics in the series about success and being successful, we must examine the need to steer away from plagiarism: you MUST be yourself! Be the original version of yourself that God made.
Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. ~Bruce Lee
It is a very simple introduction: BE YOURSELF! God created you, as you are, to be you! God NEVER intended for you to become an imitation or duplicate of anyone else! He created the personality you have for the task you need to accomplish. Yes, we pick up attributes and traits of others, but that does not mean we copy them exactly! Add those skills and infuse them with your own pizzazz so as to become who YOU are supposed to be.
Here is what God’s word reveals about being yourself:
1 Samuel 17:38-40 (KJV) And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. 40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
- Do not let others push their weight onto you!
Although trying to be helpful, people sometimes put restraints on you…do not let that happen!
David planned to fight Goliath, the giant. As he prepared to fight him, King Saul tried to be of help by bestowing David with his kingly armor for protection.
Saul meant well! He gave David the best armor in all of the kingdom! There are those who mean well, yet will unintentionally equip you with the restraints they have experienced. Do not let the restraints of others prohibit you from being who God called you to be!
Sometimes parents hinder children, supervisors hinder employees, teachers hinder students, friends hinder one another, and leaders hinder the up-and-coming. This is not always intentional, nor does it always stem from arrogance. Regardless of the intentions of others, you CANNOT allow their restraints to hinder your progress in becoming who God designed you to be.
- Do not add the weight of others onto yourself!
Just because something worked for another does not mean it will provide you with the same help.
David donned the king’s armor, attempting to wear it as intended. David, however, took everything off when he realized the armor would not work for him.
The tricks, schemes, plans, designs, actions, plots, directives, and tools of others will not always work for you, at least not in the same way! Make a conscious effort to stop yourself from seeking to recreate the successes of others via duplicate methods!
Case in point, David, while wearing the kingly armor, realized that he could not accomplish what God had planned for him. And so, fully clad in another man’s armor, David told everyone he could not do it in such a way!
I encourage you to preserve your originality and remind others that you need to do what God wants you to do…and do so in a way that suits you. Originality is birthed from a willingness to be different…Are you willing?
- Be confident in the tools you possess!
The tools you have, though they may seem crazy to others, are all you need to accomplish the task God has for you!
After removing the kingly armor, David regrouped by gathering the tools he was meant to use — a slingshot, five smooth stones, and his staff. At the climax of events, it is revealed that it only took one slingshot and rock in order for David to defeat Goliath.
Do not be ashamed to use the tools YOU HAVE to in order accomplish the task God gave you! All too often we see our gifts, callings, and tools as lackluster or unworthy because we compare them to the tools of others.
Stop defeating yourself before you even enter the fight! Believe in what you have already! God has ordained you and your tools to be enough to conquer the giants in your life! David went in pursuit of the giant with his own tools, and with confidence! You have to believe!
Philippians 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Repeat aloud the first three words in the previous verse…Now, grab what God gave you and go be successful just by being yourself!
Originally posted on January 17, 2019 @ 3:00 AM