Many Members But One Body

Unity does not = Uniformity.
I am glad that I am different. Those of you who know me are probably rolling your eyes, "boy, is she ever!" No, I mean that I am glad that God has created me with a unique design and purpose. I have learned to be free to be me. I know that this sounds corny, but I have. There is no one else like me...or like you for that matter. Our personalities, circumstances and abilities are all specially designed by our Maker to fulfill the good work that He has created for each of us to do. Ephesians 2:10 "We are God's workmanship," (meaning work of art in the Greek)," created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do." I don't know about you but that makes me feel good about being me.
What concerns me though is that while most would agree with the above idea, many find themselves striving to be like someone else...or everybody else. Maybe you have felt the pressure to conform or you struggle to fit the "norm". You find yourself working "outside the program". Worse yet you felt ostracized because of it?
We even see these pressures even in our churches. You want to be like Sally special music, Glen gleeful greeter or even Sam Sunday school teacher. I love 1Corinthians 12. It says something like...if everybody were an eye who would do the hearing. And if everybody were an ear then who would do the smelling? It's my paraphrase...but you get the drift. Verse 18 says that God has "arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as he wanted them to be."
To quote one of my favorite Sunday school teachers," Because you are different, you will reach people for Christ that I will never reach. And I will reach others that you will never reach."
So I will continue to marvel (at times) and be quietly annoyed (at others) by how different we are, but I will choose to encourage you in your differences. I will do it out of respect for who God has made you and I will do it because we can't all be me. Now that is a scary thought!

We Need A Little Rain

What attitude should Christ's followers have when we face difficulties and suffering? To be honest, I know how I tend to react...quick to wonder why God has forsaken me...or to complain of how unjust my suffering seems. Of course, as I write this, it is easy to roll my eyes at myself. I have a feeling though that I am not alone in this boat. Maybe you have been there too?
Believers need to be constantly reminded that nothing comes our way that doesn't first pass through the loving hands of God. One of my favorite verses is, "For we know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose."
A certain organization offered $5000 for wolves captured alive. As a result, there were two men that scoured the mountains day and night looking for their lucrative prey. After an exhausting day of hunting the men fell asleep to later be awakened by the furious growling of a pack of wolves; eyes flaming and teeth bared. One of the men woke to nudge his friend, " Bud, wake up. We're rich."
When difficulties and trials surround us, remembering that God is sovereign, in control, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, can turn the worst situation into an opportunity for our "good" and for His glory.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its perfect work in you, that you may be perfect, and complete, lacking nothing. " James 1 ; 2-4

The fruit of the Spirit will not come to complete maturation in our lives with only sunshine. There will be days of dark clouds and rain...but to God be the great glory for the fruitfulness of His hands working in our lives, even on those rainy days.
God, we surrender ourselves to your plan and to your work to make us fruitful. Give us the grace to accept both sunshine and rain!- In Jesus Name.

My Perfect Life Partner

Lord, I thank you that you far surpass, in character and in love, even the best people in my life. You are My Share in this life and in the one to come...my Great Reward, my Maker and Sustainer, and the Lover of my soul.
Jesus, help me to make you the true desire of my heart so that you will be exalted to the position to which you are worthy. In doing so, it is my desire that others will take note of the great love that we share and be drawn to a place where they can know You and love You too.