READ: PSALM 139; MATTHEW 28:20; COLOSSIANS 1:22-23

Every Christian has a different testimony, or story of how they came to put their trust in Jesus. For some people, it could be really dramatic. For others, it may be really simple. Yet God works in each and every person’s life. This is the personal story of how God worked in my life.

My parents were missionaries in Japan, so I grew up learning about God both directly from them and by hearing them teach others. My mom is Japanese, and my dad is from America, so I don’t fit in well. In Japanese culture, no one tries to stand out. It’s very different from Western culture where being unique is celebrated. So, as a half-Japanese homeschooler Christian, I never fit in, except with other missionary kids or at church. In those places, everyone accepted me for who I was. They didn’t look at me weird when I didn’t act fully Japanese or fully American.

These places gave me a picture of how Christ loves all of us. God created each of us differently. It’s comforting for me to know that He made me the way I am for a reason. But when I was growing up, I had many insecurities. I was always unsure of my place in the world, worried about how others saw me, and afraid of not having people who liked me. I felt that I had to be good enough at something for people to value me or see past my being different. I ended up measuring my worth in what I could achieve.

But the amazing thing about the gospel is that we come to Jesus the way we are. I don’t have to feel like I’m perfect to have salvation. He is the one who will reconcile me to Himself and make me holy and perfect in His sight (Colossians 1:22). I didn’t realize how much I was holding on to the lie that I needed to be a certain way, or that I needed to fit in. Instead, I needed to surrender that to the Lord. I’m not the one in control, He is.

I’ve since come to find a sense of security in my differences. And it’s because I’ve been on a journey with God. I’ve had my ups and downs for sure, but God has stayed by me even when I haven’t made Him the most important thing in my life.

Know that even on your darkest days, Jesus is with you (Matthew 28:20). He is the person who makes you perfect in His sight. He has a plan for you, and He will be with you every step of the way. • Sophia Muhling

• When have you struggled to fit in? How can it be helpful to remember how Jesus sees us?

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)