The maker and me

I will ALWAYS be the first person to tell you, be you. I believe God created you to be you, not her, not him, not them. You are unique because our creator God made you unique. If he wanted you to be like them, he would’ve made you like them. I want you and God wants you to be you. Not just any version of you though. The you HE created you to be. God has a specific path for you, and you can’t follow that path apart from his leadership. But, so often we try, don’t we? We live in the “be you” mind set, but without God’s leadership. We often chase after being the “us” we want to be, giving up God’s design for our life. Our world loves to preach “do you;” do what makes you happy. Be the you, you want to be. And by all means, please do …with God’s leadership. I want to see you over the moon happy, loving life and loving who you are. But, chasing our dreams, our desires, our “best” life, will only lead to frustration in the long run. Chasing Jesus and HIS path; that’s what leads to fullness in our life. So often we treat God like he doesn’t understand or he doesn’t know us like we do ourselves. We know what’s best. We know what we need. How could he possibly understand how we feel or what we think? You have turned things around, as if the potter were the same as the clay. How can what is made say about its maker, “He didn’t make me”? How can what is formed say about the one who formed it, “He doesn’t understand what he’s doing?” — Isaiah 29:16 (CSB) He knows; he understands because he is our creator. I’ve been guilty of saying, “no one knows me better than me.” But, according to Isaiah, that’s untrue. God knows me better than I know myself. “He knit me together in my mother’s womb,” (Psalm 139:13-14 CSB). He is the potter; I am the clay. What right do I have to question what he wants to create with my life? Who am I to question the one who took the time to form me and breathe life in me? Friend, be you. Do you. BUT trust what God wants to do through you. You were created by God and for God (Colossians 1). He knows what he’s doing with your life. Trust Him, let him work and move in and through you. Don’t waste your life chasing some version of you that will leave you empty and depleted. Chase the you God created you to be and gain an abundance of fullness and blessings. The one who formed you knows your needs. He knows you better than you know yourself. He made you. Let him work through you. Cassie Downs, formerly of the Ellsinore area, is a bible teacher, author, retreat host, founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry, and serves as operations pastor at The Hill Church. A leader full of passion for seeing women follow Jesus and His plan for their lives. She is an avid reader and loves to travel. Cassie lives in Stockton, Mo. with her husband, Dustin and their three children. Connect with Cassie at cassiedowns.com.