I don’t know about you, but I sometimes get frustrated with myself because I am not like someone else. I wonder: Who am I? Who are you? Why do we do the things we do? Some days, I want to be more dynamic or more pioneering, for instance.

Sometimes, I wish I didn’t need to know so many details about things before I can move forward. Like the time I had promised to help at a silent auction fundraiser. Because I had never even been to a silent auction, I had no idea what to expect. I felt apprehensive. My friend knew me well. She graciously answered all my questions so I would feel prepared. She provided what I needed to increase my comfort level so I would feel equipped enough to be able to get my eyes off myself and onto the job at hand. I ended up having a blast! All because my friend accepted me for who I am and provided what I needed in that circumstance.

Why did knowing more facts about what was expected change my whole attitude about the event so much? Why couldn’t I just act like my friend and just go with the flow?

Those are very good questions and the answer is: Because God created us to be different. On purpose. By design. My friend and I both were needed at that event. After I felt a greater comfort level and understood how it all worked, I was able to be outgoing and engage the people at the auction. I was able to be other-centered and my friend was able to do what she does well.

God has a plan. He knows just what is needed in your own part of the world. Conflict comes because we don’t accept that we are different by design, but rather we fight it and try to make others into our clones. However, God gave each of us a unique way of handling life – with the crises and opportunities that come with this life on earth.

My friend and I had a potential for conflict because of my need for specific detailed information, but she chose the higher road and realized what I needed to move forward. She was able to “bring out the best” of my God-given design. Wouldn’t you like to be able to do that as well as my friend did?

This has been Part I of four parts to discovering:
Who Am I? Who Are You? Why Do We Do the Things We Do?
How can we learn to get along better together?
Watch for Part II coming soon!