Too Much Space
Last week I was sitting with three of my friends and one of them asked me what my biggest insecurity was. I giggled because I had no idea how to answer. I thought for a second and finally answered with “I take up too much space.” She asked me what I meant by that and I told her like everyone else I fear I take up too much space physically lol but that's not what I meant. I then explained that I fear most that I take up too much space mentally. Sometimes I am too loud, I talk out of turn, I say things I shouldn't, I do obnoxious things just to make people laugh, I am just annoying and just take up too much space. After I was done explaining, another friend that was sitting there with us said that she understood what I was saying because she too feels that way sometimes. If you're anything like me you too have felt like you need to hide and be quiet to make up for being too loud or taking up too much space. I've always wished I was quieter and more reserved than I am. I admire those who listen more than they talk and their presence makes you feel calm. I envy those who have a gentle way about them. My other friend that was there with us said that she feels like she doesn't take up enough space. It goes both ways, we always wish we were what we aren't. Over the last year I have allowed myself to develop this sense of embarrassment about my personality and the way God has made me. When the others said they too felt like this sometimes it got me thinking because I didn't feel that way about either of them at all but they felt that way about themselves. I realized I am not alone, I feel this way about myself but it is so not true.
The enemy loves to throw in obstacles that slow us down in our journey to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. Personally, one of my biggest obstacles in life is myself. The enemy gives me this idea that I am too much and I just feed into it instead of recognizing that God made me in His image to fulfill a certain purpose for His glory. Let me say that again, we are made in HIS image. Genesis 1:27 literally says God created human beings in his own image. I am made in HIS image, YOU are made in HIS image.
The truth is we are made the way we are for a reason. I am going through the book of Ezekiel in my quiet time currently. The other day I came across Ezekiel 3:8-9 which says, “But look, I have made you as obstinate and hard-hearted as they are. I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don’t be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.” God gave The prophet Ezekiel a special toughness, so that he would not give in when he came against the hardened opposition of Israel. This is a testimony to how intentional God is with us. God is intentional about how He makes us. God knew Ezekiel's purpose, He knew that Ezekiel would be prophesying to Israel's hardened hearts so He equipped Ezekiel with what he needed to fulfill his God given purpose. We are no different than Ezekiel, God made us for a specific purpose. His design for me is consistent with His purpose for me.
Think of someone like Sadie Robertson, if she didn't embrace her outgoing, smiley personality she wouldn't be able to touch as many lives as she does. She has allowed God to use her personality for His glory. Lysa TerKeurst is one of my very favorite christian authors, her books and podcasts have aided me through some very dark times in my life. If she would have let the feeling of taking up too much space get to her she wouldn't be helping so many people with her writings. These people were made intentionally by God to fulfill their God given purpose. You are no different than them. You too were made the way you are to fulfill a purpose. Who are we to be ashamed and embarrassed of the way God has made us? I simply wasn't made to be a wallflower and if I was I wouldn't be properly equipped for God's purpose for me. My personality isn't for me, it is for His glory. Be you for Him. You don't take up too much space, you are wanted, you are loved, and you are made for a purpose. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. To God be the glory, always. Be the sunshine on someone’s cloudy day.
Good Talk,
Rylie With The Messy Life :)
Psalm 139:13-16: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
