Acts 10:34
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism”
My entire life, I have always felt like a second choice. Maybe I’m being dramatic, maybe I’m overreacting, but as a dancer, I was always the understudy. I was never a soloist and I always danced the background roles. I didn’t have the typical ballet body, so I never got much attention. That carried over to my social life when I noticed boys at school would use me to get to my close friends at dance practice—the ones that did have the typical ballet body—and not to mention beautiful faces, too.
Because of this, I adopted a mindset of being “just an average girl.” I didn’t seem to have any special talents. I couldn’t draw or sing or play an instrument. I wasn’t great at sports and was never the smartest person in the room. I could continue to tell you about my battle with self-esteem, but if you’re a teenager, chances are these things sound familiar to you. If they do, I’m sorry.
But, do you want to know something amazing? Even if you have never been the winner of the contest, the first choice, the smartest, the most athletic, the most popular person in the room, God doesn’t care. He doesn’t see you as a stereotype with an invisible label on your forehead. In fact, to him, you are just as valuable as the winner of the contest, the first choice, the smartest, the most athletic, and the most popular person in the room. Like Peter, the older I’ve gotten I, “realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.”
In this passage, God was speaking to Peter, telling him that nothing He has made is unclean or unworthy. Why would you be any different? God made you in His image and likeness. He crafted you with care, knowing every detail about you and your soul. He knew of your mistakes far before you made them. He knew about your crooked teeth. He knew about the tests you would fail and the ways you would upset your parents.
We all have things we don’t like about ourselves. We all have experienced failure. We have all disappointed someone. But these things don’t make you any less of a person to Christ. He doesn’t value your “perfect” friends, classmates, or family members over you. Nothing you say or do could make you any less valuable to a God who doesn’t show favoritism. God will love you endlessly regardless of your imperfections.
Today, take some time to examine yourself—qualities, characteristics, even physical features. Recognize the positive qualities God has given you, and pray He grants you the strength to accept the things you don’t like about yourself. Your imperfections are His handiwork. Admire them.