He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
2 Timothy 1:9
Isn’t it amazing to know that when God knit us into our mother’s womb, He built unique gifts, talents, and capabilities into each one of us? We are assured in Psalm 139 that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and Ephesians 2:10 claims we were created for good works prepared in advance.
We are each supernaturally empowered with spiritual gifts and given deep-seated desires to draw us toward specific causes or areas of service. Incredibly, the Lord knows in advance what individual perspectives we will gain from our upbringing, life circumstances, and personal hardships. And He uses them for our good and His glory.
We are all called to one purpose—to glorify God by making disciples and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But we each have an individual calling as well, which is placed in us at conception. The choice is ours whether we follow the path (sometimes smooth, sometimes rocky) to accomplish it.
Most of us are inspired by people who have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve some success or fame. Would Helen Keller have had such an impact if she’d not lost her eyesight and hearing as a baby? What about Ludwig van Beethoven? His most notable compositions were created after he became completely deaf. Corrie ten Boom, Joni Earekson Tada, Louis Zamperini…the list goes on.
What makes one person persevere even in the darkest circumstances, while a figurative hangnail can sideline others?
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him” Mark 11:23.
We can easily become complacent when life is going well. Why rock the boat? Pastor and author Craig Groeschel has been associated with the quote, “The devil doesn’t bother people who aren’t a threat to him.” It makes one wonder if spiritual progress can be made—or a personal calling be achieved—without struggle. Are we willing to push forward even in dark seasons?
If our faith is strong and we set our sights on Jesus Christ, nothing can hold us back. God is aware of every stumbling block and detour long before we reach that point. Every time we overcome, our faith muscles grow.
So, we fix our eyes on the Lord. “For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up” Hebrews 12:3.
The human body is used in scripture to illustrate unity and diversity. The body is one yet has many members. Although all believers are different and perform varied functions, we all combine to make one whole unit—the Body of Christ. We are the vehicle on earth by which God makes Himself known to the world. But it requires us to be faithful to our unified and personal calling.
Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” Matt 28:18-20.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Creator of heaven and earth, how blessed we are to know You love every one of us. Because of that love, You sent Jesus on a rescue mission to bring us back to You—and we are eternally grateful.
Please forgive us when we go astray. Help us by Your Word and the Holy Spirit to realize how important we are to You, and to the Body of Christ. Please open our eyes and our hearts to the sacrifice You have made, and the gift You are offering not only for salvation, but for a life of holiness and service. May it result in a joy greater than anything this world could ever satisfy.
We love You, Lord, and pray all of this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
