The birth of a child is a miraculous thing! Knowing the great potential bound up in a new little life created in God’s image brings a feeling of excitement and joy. Knowing God has a plan and purpose for that life fills me with wonder at who this little one will become as they grow.
“For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
Psalm 139:13-16
Mission Begins
I am currently a part of two book clubs, as well as a ladies bible study. The book club readings include a biography about the Scottish Covenanters (Fair Sunshine by Jock Purves) and a biography about one of the first female American missionaries (Ann Judson by Sharon James). My ladies Bible study has been going through the book of Acts, where we see the acts of the apostles and the birth of the Church.
Although the books take place in 3 very different regions of the world, in different spans of time, there are several commonalities. Each individual was a person born in sin, which they inherited from Adam. Each individual became convinced at some point in their life they were a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness and grace. They were saved by grace through faith in Jesus, which drastically changed the course of their lives.
Mission Empowered
They all became convinced that living (and dying) for the Lord was to be chosen over the luxury and comfort the world had to offer. They chose to live holy unto the Lord and serve Him wholly. Each life clearly displayed God’s power enabling them to do bold feats for His kingdom’s sake; they were able to suffer extreme measures for the glory of His name. These were all incredible individuals!
But just like you and I, each one of these people started out as helpless infants. They were knitted together in their mother’s wombs. They were placed in a specific home, in a specific time frame geographically. All part of God’s good plan. Reading the testimony of God’s plan for their life and His power to execute His plans providentially inspires me.
“Lord, what do you have me to do?
Where would you send me to proclaim Your gospel?”
This is a regular cry of my heart. My life has a purpose. That truth brings great joy and expectation as I wait on the Lord to see what my day will hold.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
Mission Continued
History continues to be written. It is all according to God’s divine plans and purposes. Amazingly enough, you and I are a part of history! I am comforted to know my part is foreordained; God’s plans and purposes for my life are being worked out providentially in His sovereignty. I may not ever be called to suffer for the kingdom’s sake like the apostles or other heroes of the faith, but my part is no less important.
My mission this day is to walk with purpose. I want to know God and make Him known. Just as the apostles did. Just as heroes of the faith did. Just as every faithful Christian has done and will do throughout all of history.