You Were Made for a Purpose
“And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” (Nehemiah 2:18)
The fall colors captivated my attention as I walked across the rugged path. The sun was peeking through the trees, highlighting a vast array of beautiful tones. There is nothing quite like autumn. Its warm aesthetics fill many hearts with a deep sense of joy and gratitude. But it is the warm colors of red, yellow, and orange maple leaves which mark the exquisite fall landscape, each one working together to create something truly breathtaking.
It is the variety that contributes to the beauty.
And as people, are we really that different?
Each person has been crafted with a specific design in mind, no two people being alike. We complement one another, adding something distinct within our friend group, job, church, or family.
And what a shame it would be to miss out on the beauty of unique individuality for the sake of comparison.
Whether holding others to a specific standard that we secretly (or not so subtly) hope others will obtain, or constantly tossing ourselves into the waves of comparison, there is the temptation to throw away our uniqueness in exchange for our version of rightness.
One of the most restful and beautiful moments in my Christian life was when I was walking through a season where I had been struggling with my self-image. In that time, God made it clear that He loved me exactly as He had crafted me.
For years I had held myself to a standard that seemed unobtainable. Yet, when I began to develop a grace for myself (only through the love of my Father), God revealed that I was desired by Him, exactly as I had been crafted. I did not have to earn His love. What I had previously viewed as my greatest weakness could be the very area which serves as an opportunity for His glory to shine through my life.
What the Bible Says
The Biblical narrative has always showcased the value of the Lord using people with various personalities, gifts, and backgrounds to accomplish His purposes.
In the book of Nehemiah, we see in chapter three the extensive list of workers accomplishing the task of building the wall. Each individual had a unique goal that contributed to the initial vision, set forth by the Lord.
Later in chapter 8, we see Nehemiah, the leader and organizer of the building process, step down and support Ezra, the scribe in the reading of the law. Nehemiah did not take on every task, nor was his leadership threatened by the work of Ezra. Instead, as an effective, respectable leader, he willingly delegated an important task to someone he trusted. Nehemiah was an organizer and visionary. Ezra was well-read and took delight in the books. Both were incredibly valuable for accomplishing the vision God had instilled in their hearts.
Church history also reveals the remarkable value of the unique individuals working together for the glory of God. Within Scripture, this is evident in Paul’s letters to the various churches in which he addresses the function and purpose of the church.
Both Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12,outline the immense variety within the Body of Christ concerning spiritual gifts. Also, this was presented within the book of Ephesians, which was believed to be a letter composed for the purpose of circulation amongst the various churches within the area. Thus, it contains many general and fundamental truths necessary to the establishment of the church. Within the second chapter, it states:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
What a beautiful truth that we were crafted by the Lord uniquely, to do good things which He had predestined long ago.
Part of Revival
Revival has always been marked by a diverse group of believers. There were worshippers, those who lead the people in beautiful music which glorifies the Father in heaven. There were prayer warriors, those who often prayed fervently throughout the church services, interceding for those who would attend.
Additionally, many of the primary leaders were people classified by historians as “intellectuals.” Professor of historical theology Justo L Gonzalez writes:
“…many of the leaders of the movements were not particularly emotive, that many were scholars, and that in any case the goal of the movement was not worship services marked by continual shows of emotion, but rather a single experience that would lead each believer to greater devotion and more conscientious study of Scripture.”[1]
Thus, God often uses us not in spite of our differences, but rather because of them.
Application for the Body of Believers
God has always called people from all different experiences, each with a unique set of practical gifts, interests, occupations, and spiritual gifts.
Some were pastors (like Jonathan Edwards), or watchmakers (like Corrie Ten Boom). However, what they did have in common was their desire to abide with the Lord, accompanied with a corresponding surrender in which their actions supported what they believed. Their vision was participating in the kingdom of God, simply because it is real.
We have been designed uniquely. God put thought and intention towards how He crafted every single one of us (Psalm 139:13-14). Therefore, as believers, we ought not to waste our precious time comparing ourselves. On the contrary, there is beauty and freedom for the one who has learned to not weigh their hearts down with the opinions of others but look up to the approval of the Father. From this place, we can find delight in serving the Lord, no matter where that leads us, and are able to truly love others freely.
If you have ever beaten yourself up for being created differently or see something as a perceived weakness, I want to encourage you to seek the Lord in this, and ask Him to view yourself and others through the eyes of God. We can pray to the Lord for His perception, for the Holy Spirit to craft a heart after His own.
He has made you for a unique purpose for such a time as this and has called you to participate in His grand story.
God still has a plan, and it is being accomplished. He is still moving within His true church.
So keep going.
Blessings,
[1] Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. HarperOne, 2010. 289.