Akeelah and the Bee

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NIV

Do you find yourself mumbling, “I don’t deserve this or that, because of what I’ve done or who I’ve become?”

Paul says it doesn’t matter what you think you deserve, God created you to be YOU. He created you for greatness. He created you to be the best person you can be regardless of your past, your sins, your failures, your family or what you think you can/can’t be.

Hubby and I watched the movie last night “Akeelah and the Bee”. Phenomenal movie, it is a must see. Seriously!

At a couple of poignant moments in the movie the quote below is used. It hasn’t left my mind today.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” [Quoting Marianne Williamson]

With Thanksgiving season here, are you thankful God made you? Are you thankful He made you to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, quiet, analytical, controlling, or just plain silly?

Are you thankful to be YOU?