When the grandkids come, we play a game we call Would You Rather. Would you rather be a whale or a penguin? Would you rather have a toothache or a sprained ankle? Occasionally for fun, we throw in this one, “If you could have a superpower what would it be?”

I always say, I would fly.

Birds lift off and I want more than anything to soar. Gliding, darting, wind in my beak. Up in the clouds, above the noise of lawn mowers, weed whackers, and Amazon trucks. I could pick any tree and nest on top.

But I don’t have wings. I have arms, I have legs.

worst of all, the joy i had just being me, was gone

I fell off track these last few weeks. Got all tangled up trying to be more than I am. You know what I mean? Convincing yourself you’re missing the proverbial boat. Pushing yourself to do things other people do for a little taste of what you think you need too. Setting goals “successful” people follow.

After turning my life upside down, all of sudden, I didn’t like who I’d become. I was more discontented than ever before. Frustrated, anxious, cranky over hurried mornings and afternoon time restraints. Worst of all, the joy I had just being me, was gone.

Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to be satisfied with who you are and what you have? Why the comparison game is so impossible to kick? Why, no sooner do we put that nonsense away, and there we are, rolling the same dice all over again? Internalizing things like: What makes me happy sounds sort of embarrassing. Where I enjoy going doesn’t look like it’s getting me anywhere. I should be smarter, slimmer, quicker, farther.

I found it in Ecclesiastes: Vanity — excessive pride in one’s appearance, qualities, abilities, or achievements. Conceit. Lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness.

What a relief! Seriously. One word like this from God can change everything. Like pulling a noxious weed — God makes room for faith to grow. Our roots go deeper, branches reach wider. Honestly, who wants to spend their whole life searching for answers?

if god wanted you to be someone else — he wouldn’t have created you

Ecclesiastes 1:8 says, “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” It sounds like our contentment tank is always on “E” doesn’t it? God gives arms and legs, hands and feet, but we want wings. God bestows talent and knowledge, joy and laughter, and we think feathers would be better.

 I’m hearing this loud and clear, and I want it to bless your ears: If God wanted you to be someone else — He wouldn’t have created you. Let that sink in. God put together a personality just for you. Your sensitivities, sense of humor, skills. The way you scrub a sink, tend your garden, run your business. How soup should taste to you. The thoroughness of your work. The things that stir your heart. And the things that break it too, are all unique to you.

If lack is what we focus on, feel, listen to, then lack will be our lot in life. It’s why Jesus said, follow, come, cast, I saved you from all that. Abiding in the Source of Life fills us with abundant life!

Repeat after me, “Thank you for making me, Lord, it’s who I want to be.”

“We must be satisfied with what God appoints, or else we shall be constantly the prey of discomfort and the victims of disappointment.” – Charles Spurgeon 

Would you rather…fear God and enjoy what He gives or chase after the wind?