Don’t Strive To Be Like Someone’s Highlight Reel

Every evening for the past 2 weeks, we have been watching the U.S. Olympic Trials for swimming, gymnastics, and track and field. I remember growing up, dreaming of being an Olympian someday, in whatever I was good enough at. Okay, maybe I secretly wish I still could be! But the odds aren’t in my favor.

Athletics has become an idol in our culture, taking up beloved family time, taking families away from church, and in some cases, has taken away the youthfulness of our kids all in exchange for what parents want to see their kids do through their sport. In other words, wanting their kids to achieve what the parents want them to achieve, with little respect for their kids’ desires. Did you know that there is a 0.023% chance that you’ll become a professional athlete? To some, you’d say, “So what you’re saying is there’s a CHANCE!” I suppose…

But did you know that there is a 0.0% chance you and/or your life will be like someone else’s? You can strive for it, but it will ALWAYS look different. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We can scroll through Instagram or Facebook and try and be like everyone’s highlight reels (which that is what these platforms showcase), but the Bible says God has already ordained what your life will look like! We can try to look a certain way, be a certain somebody, strive to become that professional athlete (which maybe God will use that as a platform for him!), and try to curate a lifestyle that looks like someone else’s, but we aren’t in control of our lives.

When we surrender who we are, what we do, and where we want to be in life, to the One who is in control of it all and who has already ordained it all to be, there will be a peace, confidence, and sense of worth experienced like never before. Don’t try to live up to the highlight reels. Live up to the calling GOD has placed on your life and your light will shine brighter than ever before. Be part of that earthly 0.0%, knowing you are uniquely created to reflect CHRIST’S image, and not anyone else’s.