We are what we believe we are. - C.S. Lewis
Our three boys are each unique and gifted by God. They are not cut from the same, mass produced mold. Each of them has their parents DNA at the core of who they are but yet they are original and distinctive. As a parent, I do not have a preconceived idea of who they will become. Only that they are created in the likeness and image of their parents. More importantly, they, like each of us, are created in the likeness and image of God. The most important responsibility Jennifer, my wife, and I have is to guide them to discover and become who God created them to be. What an awesome commission!

It does not matter how you were raised. It does not even matter what your present life looks like. You are not a mistake and you are not forgotten. God wants you to succeed, prosper and fulfill His plans for your life. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. He was wrongfully thrown in prison but ultimately became the second most powerful man in Egypt. Moses was raised in Pharoah’s house always knowing he did not fit in. He was trained in secular schools. Yet, he became the leader of millions and eventually led them from slavery to freedom. How did they do that? They knew who they were. Do you know who you are?

Starbucks recently chose a quote from Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Life to feature on coffee cups. The quote reads, “You are not an accident… You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance and our destiny.” Wow! You are not an accident! God made you for Himself to fulfill a destiny…
your destiny. You are the only person who can fulfill your destiny. I can’t fulfill it for you. Neither can your husband, wife, mom, dad, boss, children or pastors. Only you can fulfill it.

Do you have hopes and dreams? God cares about them. Proverbs 16:9 says, “We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.” If you are seeking His plan and His favor, you can choose the path for your life. In fact, you choose your own path whether you like it or not. C.S. Lewis, the author of the classic Chronicles of Narnia said, “We are what we believe we are.” Who do you believe you are?

I love how The Message Bible recounts the story of the two blind men pursuing Jesus for their healing. In Matthew 9 Jesus asked them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” When they said “Yes!” He gave the most profound directive, “Become what you believe” and they were healed. As we continue to look at our lives from God’s perspective He is asking, “What do you believe?” As you answer it, you will become what you believe.