Throughout the month of January, we embarked on a series of sermons based on Ephesians 2:10. Are you tired of hearing this passage? I hope not, because here it is again. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV) So…how’s it going? Are you using the tools that God has given you…those prepared in advance for you to use?

No matter where we are in life, it’s always good to ask these questions of ourselves. After all, each of us has been uniquely designed in a fashion that is unlike anyone else on this planet. Did God break the mold when He made you? You better believe it. You are one of a kind…His unique creation.

I will admit that during the series of sermons there was one frustration that I could not shake. As your brother in Christ and as your pastor, I really wanted to begin telling you what I think it is that God has uniquely designed you to do. It was frustrating because I really wanted to tell you what I think you should be doing. But I realize that would have been a mistake.

I cannot tell you what you were uniquely created to do. The reason? I’m not your Creator. I’m not the one who designed you and I’m not the one who packed your bags for your stay here on earth. I, as well as those around you, may be able to see some of the gifts that manifest themselves, but each of us has to ask what it is that makes up our story? Each has to carefully ask where our strengths lie, what our passions are, and what makes us say “Yes! I was made to do this!”

Of course, in our search and desire to live our lives to glorify our Lord Jesus through the fruit we bear, we must begin unpacking the bags that have been prepared for us. The tools we have are predesigned. And they have been given to be used.

In his book titled “Cure for the Common Life – Living in Your Sweet Spot” author Max Lucado tells about one of his earliest Sunday School memories as a child. Recalling one of his first Bible class teachers he writes:

“She enjoyed giving us each a can of crayons and a sketch of Jesus from a coloring book. We each had our own can, mind you, reassigned from cupboard duty to classroom. What had held peaches or spinach now held a dozen or so Crayolas. ‘Take the crayons I gave you,’ she would instruct, ‘and color Jesus.’ And so we did.

We didn’t illustrate pictures of ourselves; we colored the Son of God. We didn’t pirate crayons from other cans; we used what she gave us. That

was the fun of it. ‘Do the best you can with the can you get.’ No blue for the sky? Make it purple. If Jesus’ hair is

blond instead of brown, the teacher won’t mind. She loaded the can.”[1]

This is the way it is with God. You were created by Him – the Creator. You were especially designed by Him and you were given the tools – “the crayons” – to glorify and magnify Him. Like the cans of crayons, each has been designed and prepackaged according to what God has planned. But each is designed to make Christ known. That’s you! As a child who has been adopted and made a part of the family of God, you have been given the materials you need to glorify the name of your Father. As one who has been revealed the eternal rewards that are yours because of the humble life and death of Christ – the One who is now exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords – you have been designed to make Him known to others.

This is our purpose, and how it is accomplished has to do with what God has given you. Some have been gifted with boldness and speech; others have been gifted with silently magnifying the name of Jesus with their humble actions and poignant words. What we have been given to work with comes in all shapes, sizes, and abilities. But make no mistake – all is to be used with a joyful heart. And yes, because of Christ Jesus and the claim He has laid upon us, we can look forward to the day when we hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:23)

So…I’ll ask it again and again and again…how’s it going? How is your painting of Christ coming along? Can those around you see Him yet?

Pastor Kurt

[1] Lucado, Max; Cure for the Common Life – Living in Your Sweet Spot; W Publishing Group; 2005; Page 51