As humans, we ask ourselves, “What’s wrong with me?” probably multiple times a day. Why do we care so much about our differences, why is it a topic of conversation, and why do we categorize ourselves into little boxes? When other people put themselves down, especially family and friends, we quickly correct them. We see what they don’t or can’t accept because they are unable to look past their flaws and imperfections that, to them, are visible from space. Why do we look past those same observations about ourselves? Why is it so hard to ignore what others don’t notice, hold against us, or consider a deal breaker?

            I know my good qualities, skills, and talents but I see the flaws, imperfections, and what I’m not. I know that’s not what others see, nor how God sees me. Yet, every single one of us struggles with what we’re not instead of who we are in Christ. No matter who you are, where you came from, or what your faith may or may not be, we were created with no mistakes or by accident. We let those who do not have our best interest, and don’t even know or care about us, dictate how we are to be or not be, and keep us confused, angry, and hurt in order to blind us from what we already know but have been so afraid to accept: I am not weird, crazy, or alone. I am me.

            As a Christian everyone, and I mean everyone, has a preconception of what that means and how I’m supposed to be. Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say, “Follow me, but first, you must do A, B, and C before I can accept you into my group”. He said, “Pick up your cross and follow me”. In other words, I want all of you, not just the parts you allow others to see but the parts you hide. He knows that we are raw and unpolished, that we don’t like what we see in the mirror, or what’s going on inside our head. He also knows that when we follow Him, we will be complete, loved, and perfect for Him no matter what we’ve done, are doing, or will do. It’s that simple.

            He also knows that following Him is no picnic and we will face hardships of all kinds because the evil in the world will continue to do everything it can to beat us down in order to try and convince us that it’s God’s fault. In reality, we have free will. We have the power of choice. Every single person on earth has the power to make their own choices, every day, until we’ve taken our last breadth. I’m not going to take that lightly, nor will I waste it by allowing that evil to feed me lies. I know my Truth and I also know it’s going to be hard, but I also know that through my past traumas and current struggles, without Jesus I wouldn’t be writing this today.                               – Romans 8:1