How do you see yourself?

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For we are God’s masterpiece, 

created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Ephesians 2:10 –

I'm not one for compliments. 

Whenever one is directed my way, things tend to get rather awkward pretty fast. There's something about them that gets under my skin and makes me uncomfortable. 

For me, compliments are the equivalent of standing on a large stage with a bright spotlight aimed directly at my greatest flaw.

Horrifying.

I haven't quite grasped my extreme aversion to them.

Is it because they magnify certain traits?

Maybe.

Is it because I find it hard to internalize and/or accept them?

Quite possibly.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to the fact that others think we're a lot cooler than we actually are. Or put another way, they can see for us, what we cannot see for ourselves. 

As I had this very conversation with a dear friend, Liza, she decided to give me a little perspective. (More like a slap) Smiling, she proceeded to ask me what I thought was the most beautiful animal in the world. 

An otter I answered confidently.

That was until I saw the look on her face which was in total disagreement. Trying again, I offered up the beautiful and majestic horse, which pleased her a lot more than my original blunder. 

I'll never forget what she said next.

"And do you think for a second, that a horse in all it's beauty and grace is ashamed of how God made it? Why are you?"

Wow. There it was. That was enough to kick me in the butt for the next couple of months. No Liza. You are right. The horse is a beautiful animal that walks confidently in all its intricate glory and grace; never doubting its ability or stature.

Isn't it time we take a cue from the horse?

I believe the time has come when God is calling His women to start walking fully and confidently in all that He says we are and are called to be. More importantly, shouldn't we be able to see ourselves in the light that others esteem us in, rather than relegating ourselves to depths that make us more comfortable?

In Ephesians 2:10, we are reminded that we are God's masterpiece. His very own work of art. One that He is crafting, shaping and modeling into His own image. Placing a stamp that says "mine." He calls you, me, daughter, friend, chosen, loved, beautiful, redeemed, set free, called up, called out, wanted and so much more. He sees us for who we will be, not for who we are now. 

God made each of us special for this very time; this very moment. He made us to shine bright in our sphere of influence. So it's time for us to stop dimming our own light in order to keep the attention off of ourselves. If God has entrusted you with a platform, sphere of influence, or a word of encouragement, it is our responsibility to use it.

It is finally time for us to start seeing ourselves the way others see us.

The way God sees us.

1 Peter 2:9  – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.