Be Who You Are to Be
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8, NKJV
Way back when, about 53 years ago, as a senior in high school, Imade a life decision. I am very grateful that the Lord gave me courage and grace to carry it out.
I decided I wasn’t going to be a “man-pleaser”. I was not going to go the way of the crowd. I would seek the Lord and do what He wanted me to do and be.
Fads come and go. Public opinion changes as much as the winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean. Attitudes change when the masses think one way and others choose to stand up against them.
It is not an easy road to hear and do what the Lord calls you to do. People misunderstand. You don’t do it the way they did it. If you go that way, you will surely end up at a dead end.
I have sometimes. The road sign pointed right, but I chose left. But in the end, with the Lord's hand upon me, I believe I have come thus far and am grateful for where I am.
Can you say the same? After all these years, can you look back and say, “Your Hand was upon me. I am here because of Your design and direction. I have had my ups and downs, but by Your Holy Spirit, I am confident I am where I am, who I am, and what I have become. Thank You, Lord, for directing my steps. I want to thank You, Lord.”
We don’t get where we are meant to be by trying to be someone the Lord has not created us to be. We won’t end up where He wants us to go if we do our own thing and forget about Him each day. Sunday meetings just don’t cut it anymore.
Living the life the Lord has desired for you doesn’t come from you doing your own thing and then expecting Him to bless and perfect you. It has never worked like that, and it never will.
Am I bragging? No. Am I being self-righteous on a big white horse? No.
I am being honest and as straightforward as I can. You won’t end up being fulfilled, satisfied, pleased with where you have gotten if you haven’t, and still won’t, let the Lord guide you.
He wants to. But it is a daily decision we need to make if He is going to be allowed to do so.
Will there be a bit of fear in doing so? Yes, but we will see His faithfulness.
Courage needed along the way? You know it, if you don’t want the world to run you over.
Opposition, both in the natural and spiritual? “Yes, ma’am.”“Yes, sir.” That is to be expected.
Have some courage. Let the Lord speak to you. Let Him show you the way. And then walk it out.
In the end, as each of us approaches that finish line more eachday, we can look forward to hearing His voice at the end speak to us and say, “You have been My good and faithful servant. Come on into your full reward.”
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ Matt. 25:21, NASB
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Message #5, 2026, “Be Who You Are to Be to the End” Feb. 17, 2026
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