You're Not a Nobody
IF you've been thinking you're a nobody, well you can stop thinking it now, today. Your unique identity is found in only one individual--you. God designed you to express Him, the Bible tells us, and that makes you a somebody!
Here's what the book of Genesis tells us about ourselves: ``So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.... And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good'' (1:27, 31). God has created you exactly as you should be. Creation would not be complete without you. But we need to remember that creation is wholly good, wholly spiritual, and conform our lives to the truth that our identity is actually spiritual and immortal.
In the identity-crisis age in which we live, if you don't ``fit the image'' you might feel you're a social outcast--a nobody. If you get caught up in going along with worldly thinking, though, before long you aren't sure who you really are.
Amos, in the Bible, describes himself as a fig-picker and shepherd. He was not a likely candidate for advancement in the worldly sense. And he could quite easily have been classed as a ``nobody.'' He spoke harshly, bluntly, and persistently against wrongdoing in Israel. He was a preacher who didn't ``fit the image.'' But God had a special mission for him and he delivered God's message even though what he had to say wasn't popular with his hearers. In fact, even when the king's advisors accused him of conspiracy and the king told him to go and prophesy somewhere else, he continued to deliver his message with fire and enthusiasm. He was what God made him to be--a ``somebody'' in God's eyes!
How can you find out more about the somebody God intends you to be? As man is spiritual, the image and likeness of God, who is Spirit, his life has to be built on a spiritual basis. In fact, it is impossible for you ever to conform successfully to a worldly, material image, since you never were material in the first place. The greatest somebody who ever lived was Jesus Christ. He did not hesitate to tell us about the image he conformed to--the image created by God, the only image maker that has ever existed. His spiritual identity was an exact replica of the original. He said, John's Gospel tells us, ``I and my Father are one'' (10:30). And Jesus assured us that God is our Father as well. So we can learn more of who we are by learning more of who our Father, God, divine Love, is.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, points out in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ``Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique'' (p. 475). We find our true identity and individuality in accepting that we are a spiritual idea of God, and by being ``the image, of Love.'' Christ Jesus told us where to start: ``Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself'' (Matthew 22:37-39). He also told his followers--including us today- -that we need to individually follow God and obey His commands. Our relation to God is individual and permanent, and God speaks to and directs us, His children, because we are important to Him.
Mrs. Eddy urges in Science and Health, ``Let us accept Science, relinquish all theories based on sense- testimony, give up imperfect models and illusive ideals; and so let us have one God, one Mind, and that one perfect, producing His own models of excellence'' (p. 249). From the very beginning my study of Christian Science helped me to see that the Bible is telling us that everybody is a child of God--including me--and is precious to Him. Each of us has a valuable contribution to make. I realized that I had to do a lot more obeying God, and a lot less trying to please other people!
My newfound relation to God enabled me to stop clinging to people and being so afraid. I started going to church regularly, putting my talents to better use, and appreciating the good I saw in myself and others. I was on a wonderful journey of spiritual discovery. My health and financial situation improved, and I found new joy in living. Yes, I'm a somebody, I'm God's dear child--and so are you!