I just wrapped up my preparation for our very first night of “Starting Point“. I will admit that I am looking forward to this discussion based series. I’m intrigued by other people’s story. I once received an email from a reader of my blog that simply asked “what’s your story?”. Talk about a loaded question….
It took me forever to reply to that email. I must have written it and re-written it 100 times. I had a hard time putting it into words. It would seem funny considering the fact that this very blog is pretty much my story. I guess I just didn’t know what they wanted to know. Have you ever taken the time to think about your story and more importantly how it fits into a much larger story?
As I am typing this, I am listening to a song by Todd Agnew called “If you wanted me” from his Better Questions CD. In this song he asks a very thought provoking question:
“If you wanted me to be like you, why did you make me like me”?
I ponder that question sometimes. If God wanted me to be like him, why did he make me like me? Why did he give me the free will to have the thoughts, words and actions that I have? Maybe it was so I could find my place in His greater story. One day we will all be like him. Until then, I believe we are here to seek him as we write our story and in doing so become more like him. That’s my story…..and I’m stickin’ to it….
Great question! My story would put Hollywood movies to shame–no one would ever believe it!! That’s what makes where I am today so incredible–and so obvious that God got me here–’cause there ain’t no other way it could’ve happened!! 😉
Each of us is unique as our experiences are with God. When we come to God, He has already prepared a plan for our lives that incorporates that ‘uniqueness.’ At the same time the Holy Spirit is conforming us to the image of Christ.
Consider this: There are different gifts of ministry (Ephesians 4:10-11) and a diversity of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-18). God shows His intention that those unique ministries and gifts (as well as others mentioned in the Bible) are as individual and unique as His children yet as diverse as they are their ultimate purpose is singular. Paul himself likened it to the many member of a body:
1 Corinthians 12:13-27
13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member, but many.
15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
If we were all thumbs, we’d be pretty clumsy, wouldn’t we?