His Workmanship
One Wednesday morning our Bible study leader asked us all to answer the same question: What are you passionate about for God and His kingdom? About 30 of us were present--young moms, middle age moms, new empty nesters and a faithful group of women in their 70's. One by one came the answers around the circle, each becoming more specific and enthusiastic.
Not surprisingly the first few answers were a little predictable and safe: I love God’s Word, and I love studying it. All true because these women have proven by their faithful attendance over many years that they are in it because they love it.
But then came the replies that began to reveal to me the truth of these words: “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
"I am passionate about children, which is why we are foster parents."
"God has given my husband and me a deep desire to befriend and reach His chosen people the Jews. So we go to temple as often as we can to get to know them and help them see Jesus."
"I love babies, and it breaks my heart that women don’t understand that a tiny person with feelings lives inside them when pregnant, so my husband and I often go to abortion clinics to meet the women in crisis and try to find ways to help."
"I too am passionate about children. So my husband and I have started a ministry in our county, named The Call, to recruit other families to be foster parents so that no child in our county will ever be unwanted."
There were many more, including my own which was, "I am passionate about God’s Word and His beauty, which is why I’m working harder than I ever have to create beautiful objects, worthy of His name, for women to use in their homes to proclaim His name and tell His story."
By the time we finished, a sense of awe and worship was felt at the very individual ways God was at work in each woman’s life. I saw how the body of Christ can actually accomplish God’s purposes if each of us fulfills His design for our lives.
But it can’t happen if we get sidetracked by the enemy who wants us to compare and copy others. The glory of God is the wonder of His one of a kind calling and work in every believer. When we heard that Mary & Martha decided to launch the #nocomparedare this month, it was an easy yes for us! We have loved the freedom this challenge has brought in the everyday.
So would you join us in embracing His workmanship, His divinely ordered collection of gifts, talents, personality and yes, also the limitations He has given you? Listen for His leading and follow. He has plans for you that are for no one else.
And know that His purposes change and evolve with the seasons of your life. He is infinitely too creative to be rigid with your life!