Jeremiah 1:4-5 — “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.’”

Did you know that before you were born the Lord knew you? He is the one who created your body, gave you your DNA, and equipped you for a special purpose. From day one He fashioned you to be exactly who He wanted you to be. So why do we often try so hard to be someone else?

This past week we spent time with your sweet little cousins. As the week progressed the thought occurred to me: children naturally are who they were made to be. Some are more outgoing; others are more shy. Without a second thought they do and say what comes naturally.

They are not concerned about the impressions they are making. They don’t worry about contributing to society, accomplishing great feats, or keeping up with the Joneses. They just live each day doing what they do best. And being who they were meant to be brings such great joy.

What happens to change a child’s simple world and create inhibitions? What turning point causes one to focus more on becoming than on being? At some point pressures from the outside begin to tell us how to live, how to be successful, and even who we should be?

God spoke comforting words to the prophet Jeremiah that ring true for all of us. Before we were even conceived God had a blueprint for our lives. He created our bodies and personalities to bring Him glory. He has made us each to serve Him in a special way and He gives us all we need to accomplish the tasks with success.

He promises to mold us according to His good pleasure, but we need to shut our ears to what others say we should be and focus on what God made us to be.

Baby Verity, as she bounced in my arms, and sucked her thumb, did nothing other than be herself. She had nothing important to prove, grandiose to give, or valuable to share, yet she melted my heart with joy.

Why? Because she had no other agenda than to be whom God made her to be.

Has the world’s ideals caused you to focus more on becoming than being? If so, consider God’s words to Jeremiah. Before you were formed in the womb He knew you and created you to be exactly what He wanted you to be.

Stop striving. Stop trying to be someone else. Just be you.

Sandra Sheridan is a Midwest wife and mother of five. She shares her messages to her children with Farm World. Visit her at www.VersesFromMama.com