Magnets or Vacuum Cleaners?

One morning I asked the Lord for a verse reference.

Exodus 20:15 – Thou shalt not steal (KJV).

Really? Have I stolen something lately?

I pondered. Well…

• I just took a picture of a page from a book and Tweeted it. But I gave credit to the author.
• I haven’t taken any office supplies.
• I give back extra change when I get it by mistake.
• I use pictures from Bing Images in my blog posts. But I only use those labeled “free to share and use”.

So what was the Lord’s message?

I had no clue so I moved on with my morning. The verse must be something I need but maybe not at this moment.

As I logged on to my computer, random thoughts of things I admire about others came to mind. You know, those others who are popular in the writing world and have many good book reviews.

• I like the way he responds on Twitter
• I like the way she writes
• I like the format of her blog
• I like the way…

Wait, that’s it!

Vacuum Cleaners

Subconsciously, I not only appreciated the gifts of these people, I wanted to appropriate how they act and make it part of me. I wanted not only to learn from their methods, I wanted to be like them so I could be popular like they are.

I’ve been subconsciously stealing parts of them so I can have what they have.

No wonder I often find myself confused about who I am! I don’t look FIRST to my Creator, and thank Him for creating me exactly like me. I don’t boldly step out from the inside and go with what’s on my heart, in my own way, as the Lord leads. I measure what I’m about to do by what I think will be acceptable, or by whether or not anyone else has done it and succeeded.

No wonder I’m so worn out before I even get started. I’m worn out just thinking about it!

Magnets

Yes, we all need role models, and it’s good to learn from others. It’s also helpful to try, and then apply, practices that are proven successful. Truthfully, each of us is a product – and accumulation – of the people we’ve met, the places we’ve been, and the things we’ve experienced.

But first and foremost, we need to fill ourselves with Him alone instead of trying to take in what He never intends for us. Then, out of that relationship, we need to be fully who God created us to be and appreciate how He made us.

We need to be magnets, not vacuum cleaners.

Interesting picture, isn’t it?

Be thankful for the awesome person you are – the one God created and loves, warts and all – and step out into a very blessed day!

 

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him.

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