How You Can Live the Purpose for Which God Has Equipped You
Do you remember Eric Liddell’s famous quote from Chariot’s of Fire?
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast!
And when I run I feel His pleasure.” ~Eric Liddell
That’s not me. I am not fast. I was the kid that was picked last for every team.
But…
I do have a purpose.
God equipped me for His plans and purposes for me. And He equipped you, too!
You and I are perfectly designed, custom-made by God and for God. And every day we are being equipped by Him and for Him.
Max Lucado wrote:
“You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.”
When is the last time you paused to repeat the words of David:
I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.
Psalm 139:14 (GW)
You were amazingly and miraculously made, deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and placed where you are because God has always had plans and purposes for you.
The Message paraphrases Ephesians 1:11 like this:
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.
No, I’m not a runner.
I’m a talker.
Yes, I was that kid in school whose report card always said, “talks too much!”
I’ve always loved talking with people. Communicating makes me happy.
I love hearing people share what’s in their hearts. I love knowing the things about which they’re passionate.
And I’m passionate about the way God changed me. I want everyone to experience the blessing of knowing, trusting, and loving Jesus . . . the One who pieced me together when I was completely broken. The One who never stopped loving me when I stood at the tree and believed the lie. The One who fills my life with countable blessings.
Blessings of His grace, His mercy, and His love.
You, too, have a story of His grace, mercy, and love and you are equipped to use it for His glory.
He has given each of us gifts and abilities . . . and stories. Stories that include good days and bad, successes and failures, joys and sorrows, hurts and healing. Stories to encourage one another with His love.
A Prayer to Live Fully Equipped for God’s Purposes
Father, thank you for equipping me with the gifts and abilities I need to accomplish Your plans and purposes for me. Thank you for caring about me personally and for always being with me through the writing of my story.
Please forgive me for the times I act as if You are distant or uninvolved or uncaring. Your promises tell me you are always with me. Always active. Always equipping. Always strengthening me with hope for the future.
Please help me trust Your plans and accomplish Your will with joy and thanksgiving. Help me use my story for Your glory. Help me remember that You will always equip me for whatever You plan. You are faithful, You guide and direct my path, and You never leave me alone. I will not be afraid because You are my strength and my shield. Please help me live the purpose You have prepared for me that I might give You glory. Amen.
May we each take a closer look at our stories today.
May we pause to realize that we have been both called and equipped by God and for God.
May we remember that His plans are filled with His love. We can trust that even the worst of stories can be turned around by God’s grace, mercy, and love.
Here are a couple of questions to get you started…
- How has God equipped you for this time and place?
- How has God transformed a bad situation in your life?
- How have you experienced God’s love and forgiveness?
- What is your passion?
- What gives you joy?
- What are the things you do well?
- How can you use His equipping for His glory?
May you be blessed in all you do today…
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18
God has definitely created each one of us with a purpose, Deb; our job is to recognize the gifts and use them to His honor and glory, each and every day.
We truly don’t find out who we are until we define ourselves through Jesus – thanks for making this clear!
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! I love that! We can’t know who we are until we know Jesus and who He created us to be! Blessings and. hugs!
Deb, I look forward to your email each day! You are such a blessing to me, your writings always pick me up and I ponder on them all day! You make me count my blessings! Thank you! With so much love, Sandy Bolser
You are so very kind, Sandy! Thank you so much! I love being able to do this and it is always lovely to hear from someone who is being blessed! God be with you!
I just subscribed. Thank you for this lovely, inspiring message! Look forward to spending more time with you this new year. Blessings❣
Yay, thanks so much, Debra! I’m looking forward to getting to know you! God bless you!
I loved this posted today, Deb! So uplifting! Sorry so late responding, but my cable and internet were off all day! Blessings to you sweet friend! You are such a blessing to me!
Thanks so much, Kathy! Glad you’re back online. Blessings and hugs!