Each of us as God’s child, is an individual. There is no one else who can do what we do, or who can be us. The current population of the world is about 8 billion, and each one is unique. Even identical twins, who appear to be the same, have unique characteristics and desires. They share the same genotype, but not the same DNA. They have a similar appearance, but not the same heart or aspirations. We are created to be unique and to have an individual relationship with our creator God. We are made for worship and relationship.

The Christian Church is comprised of millions of individuals. Each is different in appearance, gifting, and ability. We come from different countries, languages, and cultures. Each of us has a unique calling. We are designed to give God glory in our uniqueness. We do not have the same function or design, but we are each called to use our own personhood to grow in faith and in fruit. We have been designed for a purpose. It is our job to find out what our purpose and calling are. We can discover who God is, and who he made us to be, in His image. We are to take a journey of self-discovery and explore how we can reflect our Savior. The love of God for us, has given us purpose and direction.

Romans 12: 4-6a “For as one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them:”

God has given us the grace to identify and use our gifting to discover who He is, and who He made us to be. We are called to be a reflection of Christ in our character, and to do the things that bring others to a greater understanding of who God is. That is going to be different for each of us. It is up to you to discover how you can reflect God. What is it about you? How will you exemplify God’s love in how you are, and in what you do?

It is the work of the church and the five-fold ministry, to equip you to understand your calling and purpose.

Ephesians 4: 11-14 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Our maturity should be accompanied by an increase in unity and purpose. We will grow to have more unity with others, and more fruit within ourselves. Our selfish ambitions decrease, while the reflection of Christ increases in our lives. The competition for status and power diminishes and our focus changes.

1 Cor 12:4- “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

It is helpful to understand that God has gifted us to fulfill our purpose. He built into us, the ability to become who He designed us to be, and to do what He calls us to do. It is He who equips us, and calls us, and gives us the capacity to become all that He created us for. We are not left to strive, or work in our own strength. We have been gifted and prepared for this. Yet, we need to realize that we must rely on God to do the work in us and through us. Our own strength cannot fulfill the work of God. Our own abilities cannot make us triumph. It is only in relying on grace and the Spirit of God that we grow.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

It is God who calls your purpose to be clarified, and call you to fulfill it. It is only He who can take all things and work them into His plan. Our mistakes, failings, weaknesses, and distractions are not too much for God. He works everything together to lead us on a journey to become: to grow: to understand. It is He who does it all. Do you have ears to hear what He is saying and where He is leading you? Perhaps it is time to lean in and listen to that still small voice calling you to destiny. It is the race for the high calling of Christ that brings focus.

Ephesians 2:9-10 ESV “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Philippians 3: 12-14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”