As I was listening at our church
recently to Sean McDowell, son of the great apologist, Josh McDowell, preach
"Has Science Disproved the Bible", I was overwhelmed by the
incredible knowledge and wisdom our God has. Sean shared that a well
known scientist stated that the flagella (tail) of a certain bacteria is the
most complicated machine ever. We know Who designed it. Later that
day, my mind drifted to Ephesians 2:10 which says, "We are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared
beforehand that we should walk in." (ESV) As I pondered that,
the Holy Spirit seemed to give me an even greater awe at how each of us in
Christ was created by God. Just as flagella were designed by God to
propel bacteria, God uniquely designed each of us for a unique special
purpose. Let me explain. He created your physical body for
His purpose. Psalm 139 tells us that God divinely designed your
body. Your response? By faith, tell God you accept your body and
even the things you do not like as a perfect gift from Him. Secondly,
take care of your body since it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Tools
to help: healthy nutrition, exercise, proper sleep and tell God you
accept your body as His gift to this world to express Jesus! You may want
to consider a Christian health and wellness coach.
He gave you specific
abilities and talents. Luke 19:12-27 Your response?
Understand them and develop them trusting Christ to live through them.
Tools: Read a book such as, "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Tom
Rath. Also, list the things you really enjoy and are good at.
He gifted you with
certain spiritual gifts. Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 14. Your
response? Understand what they are and use them with love.
Tools: Take a Spiritual Gifts Assessment such as offered by PLACE
Ministries at www.placeministries.org.
What gifts have others affirmed in you?
He gave you your unique
personality. Psalm 139 Your response? Understand it and accept
it as God's unique instrument for expressing Himself to those around you.
Stop trying to be someone you are not. Also, let God free you from any
"fleshly" aspects of your personality type. Tools: Take
the DISC Profile and/or 4 Temperaments Assessment such as offered by PLACE
Ministries.
You have had
experiences which have prepared you to fulfill God's purpose. 2
Corinthians 1:3-4 Sometimes this includes your failures as well as your
successes. Your response? Write down the experiences in life you
have had and ask God which of those He might want to use. Tools:
List them.
He has given you
specific grace/passion. In Galatians 2:7-8 Paul writes that he had been
given specific grace by God to minister to the non-Jews. You too have been
given very specific grace to minister. This is why you are drawn to
certain types of activities/ministries over and over. Tools:
Passion assessments such as by PLACE Ministries. When
you are trusting Christ to live through you in all of these areas,
whether you work for a business or a ministry, you are living in your divine
design. It is your "sweet spot". There you will be the
most fulfilled, the most effective, and the most fruitful. And God will
be the most glorified. That is what it means when we believe Philippians
1:21 "For me to live is Christ..."
If you want to learn
more about living in your divine design, I highly recommend a wonderful
ministry, Crossroads Career Network, by my good friend, Brian Ray. I have
taken his course and it was fabulous. Find out more at www.crossroadscareer.org.
(Please note: While I was
editing my devotion last week, "6 Primary Stages in Our Spiritual
Journey", I inadvertently deleted the following very important
sentence,"These are also based on the book, 'The Critical Journey: Stages
in the Life of Faith' by Janet Hagberg and Robert A Guelich, along with several
other articles and books.)
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com
All Content Copyright © 2012 Mark Maulding
