Delores Liesner
Activating Faith in everyday life
WHO AM I IN CHRIST #2
I am a minister and instrument of God
Everyone searches for his or her meaning and purpose in life. Sometimes we scare young people by asking what they are going to do with their lives – as though their identity and purpose are defined by their college major or vocational direction. I’m well past those teen years and am relieved and excited to know that my purpose was defined before I was created!
That knowledge helps me to realize that no matter my age, my circumstances, or my physical condition, I can continue to find new and exciting adventures and goals in which God fulfills HIS purpose in my life.
Did you notice the difference in my discovery? When in tune with my creator and His manual of instructions, HIS purpose (what I was created and designed to do) is fulfilled. My purpose (The reason for which something is done or created – Webster’s dictionary) is to fulfill God’s purpose for me.
And that purpose is found here:
Acts 26:16 ‘But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;
In this passage Paul is sharing his testimony of personal confrontation with Christ, his worship, and his regret when He realized how lacking he’d been when trying to fulfill, in his own strength, the wrong purpose.
Don’t we often feel that way? Complete abjection realizing our contemptible sin nature and its consequence. But what does God say?
Arise – Get up! Stand on your feet! We are instructed to change our posture – not just of our bodies, but also of the heart and attitude. The attitude is to be ready to witness to what we have seen God do in our lives, and to have an EXPECTANCY, because he says He will be directing us to other experiences in the future. The message is not that he might appear, or could appear to you, but WILL appear to you.
So I can expect, listen for, and note instruction through the things God has done in my life so I can share them and minister to others with the same needs as I once experienced. I can watch for God’s nudges, guidance and direction to share (His gifts, His ministration, His love, His words) with others, through which I fulfill my purpose – to be an instrument of God.
How do I get that instruction?
1Tim. 4:6 ¶ In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
When I am so constantly immersed in His Words, I can more easily recognize them in the still small voice that says to my heart – go – share – tell – minister to that one and that one and that one. They are expecting you.
I can do that – not because of a particular talent or strength, but because God created me with the ability to hear His voice, He chose me to be His minister and instrument to others. And oh, the joy, each time that purpose is fulfilled.
Those ministered to often say “that was a miracle” – and indeed it is miraculous – not that I, God’s instrument have done anything amazing beyond obedience, but that one soul’s need has been brought to God, and God has chosen to send another of His people to meet it.
The great I AM is the God of miracles – Today I am once again reminded of who I am as His child – an instrument to deliver His provision, and a minister of His very personal love and concern for each of His creation: sometimes delivering the miracle of God’s personal touch, sometimes receiving it. To God be the glory.
2 Comments on “WHO AM I IN CHRIST #2”
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Be the Miracle! – with journaling pages
Delores Liesner: Author
American Christian Fiction Writers Association
Delores Liesner 
I love the Timothy reference, ‘constantly nourished’
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Beautiful… A good reminder for me that although my “vocation” is still to be determined, the Lord is already pleased and is in control. It seems finding and trusting and being satisfied ahead of time in HIS plan amongst all other (and maybe even my own) plans, now that is the challenge!
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