IF I WERE ONLY 'ME'

IF I WERE ONLY ‘ME’

Some time ago, I encountered a perfect stranger at the mall.  He walked up and enthusiastically greeted me as if we had been lifelong friends.  My first thought was “What is he selling?”  Nevertheless, because his candor and intellect intrigued me, and since I had no pressing engagements, we conversed for quite some time.  This young man, likely late-twenties in age,  rattled on and on, sharing personal insights and opinions on politics and religion, family and friends, failures and successes, a full menu of life experiences.

One memorable remark caught my attention.  He casually referred to himself as “Chameleon Man.”  When I asked why, he responded “I have the uncanny ability to change myself completely, to totally adapt to any situation.  In fact, I can BE anybody…so I AM everybody!”

I paused to reflect and then countered, “That’s an interesting point of view.  However, since you change so significantly and so often, do YOU ever get lost in the sauce – carried away by your own extensive repertoire of emotional disguises?”  He laughed loudly.  “That’s clever!” he replied with much more volume that our environment warranted.  “Come to think of it,” he continued, “yes, there are times when I’m not sure WHO I am.”  We talked a while longer; I prayed with him and invited him to church.

During my drive home, I contemplated our wide-ranging discourse and came to the realization that there are multiplied millions who could honestly self-identify as “Chameleon Man,” or “Chameleon Woman” as the gender case may be.  Indeed, most of us try a bit too hard to fit in neatly with the masses.  Let’s be clear.  I’m not advocating for anyone to adopt a rebellious or contentious spirit.  But it’s apparent that so many do not embrace our God-created distinctives due to some vague notion or need for conformity and the societal pressure to FIT IN.

This mindset is synonymous with FEAR.  It deprives us of uniqueness, erodes self-esteem and produces a herd-mentality, i.e. what I call “GROUP THINK.”

GOD FORMED YOU FOR HIS PLEASURE AND THEN THREW AWAY THE MOLD.  During my twenties, I worked for a financial service company that had this marketing slogan: “There’s nobody else exactly like you!” I like the sound of that, do you?  Consider this.  Fashion marketing seeks to dictate conformity to this season’s colors, fabrics and styles.  YOU are infinitely much more than that, so stay out of the imitative and superficial lane when it comes down to identifying and actualizing your God-ordained reasons for being alive and engaged in your time and space.

Hey YOU…show up!  HUMAN LIFE, from Heaven’s perspective, is a CHAMELEON-FREE ZONE!

Why?  Firstly, GOD custom designed YOU, and ironically, GOD is glorified by YOU.  Secondly, while sitting on your rocker in the twilight of your earthly years, you would never want to languish in regret, looking back and thinking “IF I WERE ONLY ME”…

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!