Handiwork

"So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands."
Ecclesiastes 9:1

If I could give you one encouraging word today, it would be this: You are God's handiwork. I talk to Christians in different places all the time. Some I know, but many I have never met. I find that when we really talk and share what God is saying, we find that it is very similar. This is one way that I know God is alive and real. The Holy Spirit is speaking the same things to people everywhere. One of the things he is saying is: "Find out who you are."
    The problem with religion is that it has left us with ideas of how we should conform to it. We have followed rules, regulations, and philosophies that often cause us to lose our own identities in Christ. I have said it before; The great strength of the church is the fact that it is built on individuals who are being exactly who God created them to be. You see, everyone is different. God made each of us uniquely and he expects us to live the way he created us. he has called us uniquely as well. We cannot expect everyone to be a missionary or a pastor. Each person is called to a specific purpose that can only be fulfilled by that person. The worst thing the church can do is attempt to make everyone conform to its own ideas about ministry. We must release people to be who God created them to be.
    When we realize that who we are and what we do is the handiwork of God, there will be a release in our lives. Some must be released to the ministry of being a mother or grandmother. Some are salesmen, mechanics, teachers, or business managers. Are these things any less valuable than the call of a pastor? Should we look down on those who are fulfilling their call in these ways? Obviously, the answer is no. In the eyes of God, all are the same. The key for us is realizing that whatever we do is done for a kingdom purpose. If you are a stay at home mom, you have been called for a purpose and the kingdom is being strengthened by your life. The same is true of all people who know who they are in Christ and fulfill the call he has given.
    We can rest in the fact that who we are, the righteous ones of God, and what we do, is in the hands of God. In fact, before the universe or the earth were created, he had already knit your life together in his thoughts. It is too marvelous to comprehend, but it is true. So rest easy, child of God. Be who He created you to be. Be comfortable in your own skin, for God made you to be you. Be careful however, to never use it as a license for selfishness. He has created you and called you to bring glory to his name and build the kingdom of heaven. Always remember that your life exists for those purposes. Remember, you are God's handiwork!