In my professional life, I converse with lots of people in a ministry/counseling setting. I love hearing stories; the good and the not so good. We all seem to have such unique minds and experiences. Often, I hear folks say they do not know what their purpose is, or what role they might function in. It can be challenging to provide an answer because as scripture teaches us, as members of the Church, and of God’s creation, we do not all have the same function.  

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Have you ever been reading a verse or passage with a group and there’s different meanings being drawn and revealed to different individuals? Friends, I humbly invite us to dive into these moments where there seems to be different abilities, understandings, or giftings. We are all different members of the body, meaning God has made me in a way to express Himself through creation uniquely, and He has done the same for you. We have differences because we were created that way. But we serve the same Father, and we are one body through Jesus Christ our Messiah. Let’s suppose that as 1 Corinthians 12 talks about, I am a foot, a right foot at that. As a right foot, how am I to fully walk in the light and works of a left hand? As a foot I don’t know how to be a hand, and I am not a hand. I confess to you that earlier in my life I spent lots of time and energy trying to become things that deep down I knew were not my calling or purpose. Upon reflection, I submit to you that I was being disobedient to the Holy Spirit’s calling and teaching over my life. I may have desired to sing like someone else sings, or write like someone else writes, but I promise that comparison and envy were lurking in the shadows of my soul because I allowed them through disobedience.

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The good news is, I believe God to be so creative that each and every one of us has a seat at the table. Because of His unlimited capacity for distinctive creativity, I invite and encourage you to allow Christ to express Himself through your life as such.

Let us remember that God is restoring His creation. No matter how the world and the enemy try to deceive us, our Father knows best how to restore all things. As one body united in Christ, we all uniquely serve in this restoration life mission. We no longer need to serve wishful feelings that we could have other people’s giftings or talents. Our God calls us to run our individual races that are set out before us, and run them well to the end.  

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1 Corinthians also teaches us we need one another in the body. So friends, I urge you not to try and go at this life alone. ACF’s small groups and life groups have had a monumental impact on my walk with God and I highly encourage you to participate if you’re looking for a fresh well from which to draw living water. Verse 18 is my favorite in the passage and says But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. This verse is my reminder that we are created uniquely for Him, and I need to believe that He knows what He is doing with my walk, and learn to collaboratively and joyfully run this race into His arms.

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Father, my prayer is for anyone reading this, Lord, that they receive in their hearts the gift of their own unique design and purpose in your Body. May comparison and doubt be shed from them. May any envy or feelings of inadequacy be abolished in Jesus’ Name. God we are Your children and we come to You seeking unity through your Son. Thank you for helping us prepare ourselves in a way that brings us together as one body. May we build up one another and lean on one another as we seek You, Lord. Thank you God, that in your Creation, it was not good for man to be alone, so you created us a family. I pray my kingdom family walks confidently in all their unique expressions of You my King, and I pray in the authority of Your Holy Name, Amen.