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This week we have the privilege to hear from Melissa! This is her very first time preaching; that's right, you are a witness to history!
Probably most of you would be pretty uncomfortable if you were physically naked in front of the whole room. But emotional and spiritual openness can be just as scary, if not more so. Letting people see what you are really like takes nerve! That's what Melissa is going to talk about in this message.
Most of us have at some point pretended to be someone or something we're not. We try to talk like, dress like or act like somebody else. It's never a good thing to try to be someone we're not. It's very tiring for one thing! It can also cause hurt to a lot of people, not only yourself, but to those around you. Trying to be what others want you to be only ends up hurting you and them.
The feelings that you may have of being inferior or inadequate won't end when you graduate, when you turn 21, when you get married, or whatever magic time you have in mind. Without God's help you will never simply grow out of it.
So, how do you avoid this problem of not being happy with yourself?
It's simple! Just remember D.E.F. You may not have heard, but DEF is the new ABC. Pass it on!
D – discover your gifts, your passion – the naked you! If you're like Melissa, you might think you don't have any gifts. But that isn't true, you absolutely do! If you are having trouble figuring out what they may be, look at what you're good at first; that will be a good clue.
E – embrace your gifts! If you have an idea of what you gifting is but think, “that's stupid!” Don't! It is necessary, helpful and needed; otherwise, why would God have given it to you? You may have to come to terms with the fact that you are not gifted in “exciting” areas like music, sports or public speaking. Don't compare yourself to others because you think their gifts are cooler. Your gifts are just as good.
There are many examples of jealousy causing problems in the Bible: Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers, Sarah and Hagar just to name a few. Jealousy never results in good things!
In fact, James 3:16 says; For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
It's hard, but don't be jealous; you will save yourself a lot of trouble!
F – face the world with your giftings!
OK, so you were embarrassed or ashamed of your gifting, but you've moved past it and are trying to embrace it. You will need help from God to face the world!
One of Melissa's gifts is mercy, yet she tries to build a reputation of being tough and insensitive. But she has realized that she needs to be true to the giftings she has. She feels deeply for others, and she shouldn't hide that. This means opening up to potential hurt from others by exposing something precious – your gift. But God will be faithful to protect you, cover you and heal you. God gives good things and takes care of His children! Check out Psalm 121:1-3:
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
Melissa is not saying this to say that she has it all figured out – cause she doesn't. She likes to do things herself and sometimes has a hard time allowing God to work in her and help her. But she is saying that if you surrender to God and allow Him to help you reveal the real, naked (no, not physically naked!) you to the world, you can make the difference you were created to make!
Discover your gifts, embrace them and face the world with them!
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