Freedom Found

One day, I paddled out for a session and saw a guy I hadn’t seen in a while. He was further down the beach, on a mid-length catching waves and styling. The strange thing was, I had never seen him on anything other than a shortboard. Curious, I caught a left his way, to get a better glimpse of his face. Yep, it was him! We had that “catch-up-on-things” conversation between sets. I asked him what he was riding. He shared how he started trying out different boards and he had taken to mid-lengths. I asked why he switched from a shortboard?

Without a thought he said, ”I realized I would never surf like Kelly, so I explored what kind of surfer I really was.”  Sighing in agreement, the analysis of my friend’s ability stuck in my head. Freedom comes when we realize we are not anyone else. We are who we are, and that it’s okay. God uniquely created us, to bring Him glory and to rest in His grace, regarding our strengths and weaknesses. We all have things we wish we could change about ourselves. Improving where necessary is good. But there comes a point when we just need to enjoy who we are and enjoy the One who made us that way. 

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:12 “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” Paul is saying comparison kills contentment and robs us of joy. Paul also told Timothy, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Let’s ask the Lord today to show us where we need repent and stop trying to be someone we are not. This is a great step for us to have freedom in Jesus. (See Romans 8:28-29)

Image by Chris Blauvelt