I serve as a small group leader for fifth grade boys Sunday mornings. It’s an absolute blast. One moment you are talking about movies and video games and the next you can have a breakthrough about the bible lesson from the day, then quickly jump back to talking about what random game and toy they currently love. I love being able to do this each week because their brains work similarly to mine, connecting real life to their current obsession; it quickly creates interesting dynamics and fun. Each month we have a life app that we work through, and this month we are talking about confidence: living like you believe what God says is true. I love this idea, not only is it great for elementary kids, but I think as believers we can have this same confidence. I think a lack of confidence in who we are causes us to live into fear and not live into our full potential. We were made with purpose, we are unique creations by a loving creator, so it’s time to be confident in who you are.

I’m reminded of the scripture where Paul is equating the body of Christ to the human body. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 says, “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” This part of scripture always stands out to me. There are layers on layers. You can look at it in the use of spiritual giftedness, areas of serving and working in life, or looking at how personalities work together. In any case, I think the unifying sentiment is, we are all created by God with a purpose in mind. You are not like anyone else, and that’s a good thing. The world would be boring if we were all cookie cutter people. I think the beauty of this passage is the truth that God has made you in his image, and he has designed you to be exactly who you are for a reason. There is a purpose to the way you are wired, and because of that, we can be confident in our creation.

Be confident in your creator.

You are not a mistake. We live in a time where social media can cause us to judge our lives based on the best parts from everyone else’s lives. Now I love using Instagram as a past time, but when we start playing the comparison game, we only end up getting hurt. Why don’t I look like her? Why don’t I draw as good as him? They look like the perfect family, why isn’t mine like that? It’s a dangerous game, one we need to quit playing. You are exactly who you should be, and God has designed you with the master plan in mind. Bob Ross is the bomb. Any time I watched him on PBS, I was amazed at how he would start out with basic shapes and basic colors, then turn it into a beautiful work of art. We look at our lives and see the basic lines and shapes, looking at others wishing we were like them, but the truth is, the picture isn’t finished. Your story is still being written, and the conclusion is going to be better than you expected. Don’t be discouraged, be confident in your creator. You were made with purpose and you were made with the kingdom in mind. Your story is unique because it can speak to the hearts of others. While you may not see it, your creator is making a way for your testimony to bring life back to others. Be confident in your creator.

Be confident in who you are.

You are a child of God. You have talents and abilities that God has given you, so that you can reach out to others. This is something I learned a long time ago. I feel empty when I try to pretend to be someone I’m not. I’m a guy that loves to read comics, drink tea, and watch silly b-movies (Hey! That’s the name of your blog!). I’m interested in new stuff and love when others get excited talking about things they love. As a kid I tried to do everything that everyone else thought was cool, I got tired easily. We need to be confident in who we are because who we are is what God made us for. Don’t play pretend. People can see through it. Be you, and don’t apologize for it. God made you in his image and you are amazing because of that. Be confident in who you are.

Not long ago someone told me that I needed to be more like myself, then proceeded to tell me who I was. Spoiler alert, it was an idea of me, not who I actually am. I say that to help you understand that God has made you, he named you a child of his, and created you with a purpose. People can encourage you with things they see in you but be careful of those who tell you who you are. God has claimed you and designed you, others may tell you what they think you are, but that can never replace the truth of what God says that you are. You are a child of God, you are a unique part of the body, don’t try to be anything or let anyone tell you something you are not. It’s time to live in confidence, to live like you believe what God says is true. It will take time to understand the way God has wired you but know that it is for an important reason. We need to be confident in our creator and confident in who we are.

Live in the confidence of your creation.

-Joshua Thomas