Are You the Person You Want to Be?

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Let me start by asking you a simple but profound question: Are you the person you want to be?

It’s a question that stirs the heart, isn’t it? When you pause and look in the mirror—when you peel back the layers of your life and examine the thoughts you think, the words you speak, and the actions you take—are you satisfied? Or is there a quiet longing for something more?

Today, I believe God is calling us to reflect deeply on this. Because the truth is, God didn’t create you to blend in. He didn’t design you to live like everyone else. He didn’t call you to be ordinary—He called you to make a difference.

Do You Want to Be Like Everyone Else?

Let’s be honest, the world often pressures us to conform. To fit in. To follow the crowd. We live in a society that tells us success is measured by popularity, wealth, or how much attention we can grab. But the Bible gives us a different standard:

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

God doesn’t want you to be like everyone else. He wants you to be transformed—set apart. The path that leads to life is narrow, and few walk it (Matthew 7:14). Standing for truth, love, and righteousness will often make you different—and that’s okay.

Jesus didn’t fit in. He didn’t follow the crowd. In fact, the religious leaders of His time were baffled by Him. But He wasn’t here to win a popularity contest. He was here to change lives.

And He’s calling you to do the same.

Do You Want to Be Liked or Respected?

Here’s a hard truth: If you live for the approval of people, you’ll die by their rejection. Galatians 1:10 says:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, 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.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Follow Me, and everyone will love you.” He said: “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

Sometimes choosing to follow Christ means standing alone. Sometimes it means saying no when the world says yes. It might mean being misunderstood, overlooked, or even rejected. But I can tell you this, when you walk in obedience to God, you gain something far greater than the approval of men– you gain God’s favor.

You might not be liked by everyone, but you’ll be respected by the few who see your heart and recognize the light of Christ within you.

Do You Want to Be Ordinary or Make a Difference?

There’s nothing wrong with living a simple life. But being simple is not the same as being ordinary. Ordinary is easy. Ordinary requires no courage. It’s settling for the comfortable path. But making a difference? That takes faith.

Jesus calls us to live boldly, to be the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14). Salt preserves and light reveals. You were designed to preserve the truth of God’s word and reveal His love to a broken world.

When Jesus chose His disciples, He didn’t pick the most qualified or impressive. He chose ordinary fishermen, tax collectors, and outcasts—and through them, He changed the world.

Acts 4:13 – “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

The difference wasn’t in their qualifications. The difference was that they had been with Jesus. And that’s all you need.

Who Do You Want to Become?

Today I want you to ask yourself the important question, so, who do you want to be?

• Do you want to chase after fleeting approval, or do you want to walk in eternal purpose?

  
  

• Do you want to blend in with the crowd, or do you want to stand out as a child of God?

  
  

• Do you want to live for yourself, or do you want to make a difference in the lives of others?

  
  

God is calling you to step into His plan—to become the person He created you to be. A person of faith, integrity, and courage. But it starts with a decision. A decision to surrender your life fully to Him. To stop chasing after the applause of the world and start living for the approval of Heaven.

Take the First Step

If you’re sitting here today thinking, “I’m not the person I want to be. I feel stuck, or I feel like I’ve strayed too far from God.”—let me encourage you: It’s never too late to start.

Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God hasn’t given up on you. The fact that you’re here today, hearing this message, is proof that He’s still working on you.

So, take that first step. Trust Him. Let Him shape you into the person He designed you to be.

Let’s pray,

Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating us with purpose and for calling us to live boldly for You. Forgive us for the times we’ve chased after the approval of the world instead of seeking You. Help us to be transformed by Your Spirit, to stand for truth, and to walk the narrow path, even when it’s hard. Lord, we want to be the people You created us to be—people of faith, integrity, and courage. Give us the strength to follow You wholeheartedly, to make a difference in this world, and to bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Closing Challenge: This week, reflect on the question, “Am I the person I want to be?” Take time to pray and ask God to reveal areas of growth. Be bold. Take steps, even small ones, toward becoming the person He’s calling you to be. Remember—ordinary lives don’t change the world. But lives surrendered to God do.