Today’s scripture: Ephesians 2:10 (ESV-text and audio) (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tom Chittenden):
When I look at the people around me, I see many wonderful giftings and talents. Some are natural givers — benevolent and generous. Some are natural servants — gracious and selfless. Some are natural musicians — playing or singing and bringing great joy and comfort to the hearts of men and women. Some are natural artists — capturing on canvas a picture that transports those who see it to the very instant it was created.
Still others seem naturally gifted in a corporate setting — wheeling and dealing as if they had been created for such a purpose. Others seem just as naturally gifted in a blue-collar setting — hands on at the construction site. Consider the physicians who seem created for just exactly what they do and nurses and other caregivers whose gifts seem to flow from some unseen pool of resources that turns them into ministering naturals. If we simply look around, we will see majestic strokes of God’s creative hands in each person.
Scripture teaches that we were created in Christ Jesus for good works. Every gifting I just mentioned is a good work. The Word also says, “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.” (Col. 1:16) Even though we see an endless array of talents and gifts — even though some of those gifts may seem obscure or nonspiritual — all are of equal importance in God’s economy. If God was willing to take the time to make each person unique, it stands to reason that God would also have a unique purpose for each and every one of us.
What about it? Consider your own life in this moment. Do you absolutely love who you are and what you do? How would you answer the question, “Do you know who you really are and are you living your life’s passion in what you do every day?”
You and I were created to minister the love of God through the conduit of our individual lives. When we accept this truth, and then accept the giftings of one another, God’s creativity will know no boundaries. One gift used in combination with the next. . . and the next. . . and the next. . . brings glory to God and releases the awesome power of the Holy Spirit. This is the ultimate purpose for all — to remember who we are and then think, feel, and act in that awareness, living from the passion of our heart in whatever we do — bringing glory to our Creator.
Thought for the day: Meditate on the fact that you are the only expression of you that ever was or ever will be created — created to “be Love.” So be it!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.