It’s so important that we stay true to who God created us to be—despite any pressure or opposition we may have to face from the world to conform to who others want us to be. Why? Because who you are—who God created you to be—is exactly who the world needs. They need Christ in you!

Recently, my family and I watched the new Disney Premiere movie on Disney+, Mulan. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, it is a good one. Spoiler alert: I want to talk to you a little bit about the main message of the movie. The message was essentially that we need stay true to who we are, and not try to be someone we’re not because we are stronger, and can make more of a difference in this world being who we are created to be, rather than working and striving to be who others, or society, expects or even demands that we be.

The truth is, many of us struggle with living for the approval of others, rather than simply being ourselves. The Bible warns us about living for the approval of others in Galatians 1:10, saying, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human being, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

If we should want to be a servant of Christ, we need to be who God created us to be, seek to please Him, and strive only to fulfill His purpose for our lives. Living in fear, striving to win the approval of others, all while denying our truest self, will not help us thrive. Rather, we’ll be constantly living merely to survive. There’s no purpose or joy in this kind of living!

Do you hold back from being who God has created you to be for fear others will reject you or try to convince you that who you are is not enough, or not acceptable?

You were not made to shrink back in fear. You were called to be a brave warrior of God, living your life not for the approval of others, but for God. You were called to love others, not fear them!

Ultimately, it’s not about what you do, but why you do it. What is your true motivation for why you do what you do? Is it fear, or is it love? Is it selfish pride, or selfless humility? If it is to win the approval of people rather than God, you’ll find yourself striving, unhappy, and worn out from trying to be someone you’re not. On the other hand, when you’ve got the right motives behind what you’re doing—seeking to please God, and desiring to live out His purpose for your life—you will be energized by what you do, and experience more joy and fulfillment in this life. As a result, you will shine brighter, and have a bigger impact for the kingdom of God.  

“You are the light of the world. A town build on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

The point is this: don’t hide your light. Don’t shrink back, or hold back in fear. Never be afraid to be you because, you, are who this world needs. Who you are has always been enough. Be who you were made to be. You were made to rise! You were made to shine! God bless you!