All of us have a different makeup and temperament, but…
God wants to use you—no matter your makeup!
Last week I mentioned I was like a wild mustang that needing taming in order to become useful to my heavenly Trainer.
Not all of us are highly-spirited horses that have a wild tendency. But the Lord has a beautiful purpose for each one of us. He did not create you to just stay in your stall and do nothing, or only to graze in the field. Did you know that without moving, a horse will get colic—a potentially deadly constipation?
You are uniquely different from everyone else on the planet; yet all of us are equally valuable to God’s plan—including YOU!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jer 29:11)
Sticking with my crazy horse analogy—your God-given purpose may be to draw a plow, pull a wagon, round up cattle, provide transportation, or simply allow kids (young and old) to ride you for pleasure. Perhaps you may even be used for therapeutic reasons. I’m sure you know that horses have been greatly used to help both the troubled and the handicapped.
We get into trouble when we begin to compare our talents and purposes with others. We need not fret what others may or may not be doing. We need only to be concerned for what God desires of us. We cannot all be pastors, teachers, speakers, leaders. What good are they without a congregation, students, listeners, or followers?
I am talking to myself here!
Some of us will have to carry heavier burdens than others.
Others will be on some obscure farm somewhere.
Still others will be in the limelight at a fancy show.
You and I need to learn to be content to follow Christ no matter where He leads us. We need to yield to His perfect plan and be tamed by His loving wise hand. Only then will we enjoy this life here on earth as the Lord Jesus promised and wants for us (Jn 10:10).
But that takes trust.
We can trust our Trainer. If you give Him the reins and step out in faith, He will prove to you experientially that He is indeed trustworthy. That’s been this wild mare’s experience, along with countless others.
In the parable of the talents (Mat 25:14-30), the servant who received and doubled his 5 talents got the exact same commendation from his Master as the one who had doubled his 10 talents.
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (vv 21, 23)
But the one who received one talent and did nothing, got a very severe rebuke!
The challenge in fulfilling your God-given potential will be different than mine. I may not have as hard of a time motivating myself as you, but I probably struggle a lot more with impatience! Or I may get more discontented than you in times of inactivity.
We are each distinctive in our makeup, experiences, abilities, and tendencies. Use your strengths for the Lord’s glory, and give your weaknesses to God. He can turn then them into His strengths for His beautiful purpose (2 Cor 12:9).
So my friends, whether you are a race horse or a work horse—do it for Him! Give God your all. As Oswald Chambers would say: “My utmost for His highest!”
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving…. And there is no favoritism. (Col 3:23-25)
Relevant Resources
Do You Know Your God-Given Purpose?
How to Know God’s Will
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