“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John
8:32 (NIV)

“How
do you become okay with yourself?”

How
would you answer this question? A young woman who is going through a difficult
time posed this question to me recently. Before I set my eyes upon Jesus, I
could not have answered her.

Growing
up during the 60s, I never felt I was okay, at least by society’s standards.
According to the dictionary, the word okay has the following meanings: all
right, satisfactory, acceptable and adequate. Even as an adult, I had a hard time accepting
myself, faults and all. Things changed in my late 40s when I began searching
for something to fill the emptiness that had once been filled by doubts, fear
and a need to please. That something was Jesus.

Before I began
seeking to please God, I worked hard at pleasing people. I wasn’t honest with
others about who I really was, and instead presented an image of who I thought
I shouldbe
in order to gain acceptance. As that hole inside of me grew, I became more and
more unsure of who I really was. Confused, I cried out to God one day. When His
peace began to fill me, I knew I was finally learning the true meaning of
freedom.

Author
Brennan Manning writes, “We give glory to God simply by being ourselves.”
However, we can’t be ourselves if we don’t even know who we are in Christ.

Recently,
I purchased a Wii Fit because I like to have fun with my exercise. Trying the
step aerobics, I became annoyed when the word “okay” would pop on the screen because
my steps were not quite on target. However, if I were on the mark with my steps,
the word “perfect” would pop up in bold letters. Being a little competitive and
a recovering perfectionist, I found myself trying to concentrate on my feet
instead of the figure I was supposed to be following on my television screen.
Consequently, I lost focus and began to miss steps because I was determined to
be more than “okay.”

When
we take our eyes off the One who created us and place our focus on society’s
standards of what is acceptable, we are not living up to Christ’s greatest
command: Love your neighbor as yourself.
This assumes a love of self. However, liking yourself isn’t arrogant or
self-centered. Instead, it’s accepting the Creator’s gifts and valuing yourself
as Christ values you.

Looking to others for
affirmation that you are okay only leads to frustration and
disappointment. And human beings will
disappoint you. 1 Corinthians 13:12
says, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face
to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

God alone is our true
mirror. If we are free in Christ to be who we are, then it’s more than okay to be
less than perfect.

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About Carol Round

I have been writing stories, poetry
and essays since I was first able to hold a pencil. Although I have been a freelance
writer for more than 25 years, I turned my passion for writing into a full-time
career after retiring in 2005 from a northeastern Oklahoma public school
system. My passion is using my writing
to inspire others.

I have written articles for national
magazines, like Western Horseman, American Profileand Mature Years. My essays have appeared in
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,”“Hometown
Heroes”and “Raging Gracefully.”

“A Matter of Faith,” my self-syndicated column,
is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and two collections of my
columns are also available in book form. Carol’s latest book, “Journaling with
Jesus: How to draw closer to God,” was just released and can be purchased at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000522049/Journaling-with-Jesus.aspx
or at www.journalingwithjesus.com.

I always love hearing from my
readers and I especially welcome hearing about how God has worked or is working
in your life. Readers may contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com or check out
my blog at www.carolaround.com
to purchase copies of my books and read more inspirational thoughts.

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