Uniquely You

Have you ever heard someone talk about some spiritual practices such as getting up every morning at 5:00 to pray for an hour, or reading three or four chapters in the Bible each day, or keeping a daily spiritual journal, and then you feel guilty and unspiritual because some of those things just don’t seem to work for you?

A few days ago I heard author John Ortberg give three messages, and his point each time was that God is not into mass producing disciples, but instead he handcrafts each one of us. He quoted Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The Greek word for workmanship is “poiēma” from which we get our word “poem” which refers to something created.

Just as every poem is uniquely designed, so each of us is uniquely designed. We will not all learn the same way. We will not all grow the same way, and we set up something harmful if we decide there is one way to be spiritual and that everyone must be poured into that mold.

This doesn’t mean that Scripture leaves us without give us direction. Everyone needs to listen to the Word, pray, be devoted to relationships, pass on the message and care for the poor. But the way I do those things may not be the best way for you to do those things. However, if both of us seek first the reign of God in our lives, he will shape each of us according to his will, and the “you” he makes will fit very nicely with the “me” he makes.

Focus Scripture:

Ephesians 2:4-10 (NLT)

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.