I have been a member of Goodreads for awhile, but haven’t really kept up with it. Since my word for the year is thrive, I decided to challenge myself to read 2 books a month for a total of 24 books this year. I will also track my progress through Goodreads (HERE) to keep myself accountable, as well as keep a running list of the books I read.

Without Rival, by Lisa Bevere, is the first book on my list. The first half of this book was really good and talked about identity and purpose of women. We are loved uniquely, because we are one of a kind, created uniquely by God for a unique purpose. To me, this message was just what I needed and worth the money spent…even if the last half of the book lagged a bit.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game on social media to where your value comes from how many likes you get. Well, that is just crazy. Our worth comes from our Creator. We are made to give Him glory and seek His approval, not the approval of man. Yes, social media is a way to encourage others and share God’s message, but we need to be careful not compare our gifts with the gifts of other people. Our gifts are to share, regardless of the talents of others.

And yes, I am preaching to me.

Why am I preaching to myself? Because I want to thrive in the gifts that God has given me and not shy away from sharing just because I think there are millions out there better than me. Of course there are people better than me! But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t share what God has put on my heart to give. I need to be brave and surrender to His will for me. (You see how God uses my past year’s words to speak???) I need to step out in faith in what God is leading me to do.

We all need to quit thinking we don’t have anything to offer to the world. Because we are uniquely created by an amazing God, we have gifts to share with those around us that nobody else has. You are one of kind and the things you do aren’t like what anyone else can do. You have something to offer. Are you willing to share?

You should.

You are one of a kind. You are without rival.