"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
Before we ever felt the light of day or breathed the air of the atmosphere God knew us. He knew who we are and how we are. It wasn’t that he was an astute observer but He was the active agent in our creation. He is the maker of who we are and the planter of the seed of incredible potential in each of our lives. He fashioned us, for very specific reasons. God is the God of purpose and He has purposed to make us in such a way that we will matter to the world we live in.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.” Rom 8:28-30 NLT
Not only is God instrumental to our initial formation but He also is active in our lives and experiences using them as a master craftsmen uses a chisel. Forming, fashioning, and molding us into the unique image of His Son. God’s promise is that He will take both the good and the bad and use it to make us more like Jesus. God never wastes an experience.
We see this in Jesus personal ministry. He calls fishermen, men who knew what it was like to work for something in extreme conditions. They were familiar with trying hard and coming up empty, but not giving up. They would come in after a night of empty nets only to drop them down again with great expectation of getting the catch. Fishermen understand that the right circumstances, the right timing combined with persistence would result in a catch. In the same way God calls us and uses our past experiences. Our life up to this point has been God’s training program to what He is going to have us accomplish tomorrow.
Over the next four weeks we will journey together inventorying what God has planted in us, and what He has invested in our life to prepare us for the greatness He designed us for.
1. What do you like doing? What are your hobbies, and interests?
ReplyDeleteActually, I am kind of crafty, at present I am enjoying sewing, and recently I have reupholstered my dining room chairs and made new curtains for my house. There are times when I enjoy needlework and have thought about beginning a "prayer shawl" ministry sometime in the near future. I love using my creativity in a number of different ways though time is an issue. When I retire I would like to do more with wood. A project I have planned is rebuilding my garden retaining wall which was previously done with landscape timbers that now need to be replaced. My husband and I like to travel whenever we can and are hoping to make the trip to Jerusalem sometime in the future with MC. We have served in mission in Louisiana shortly after Katrina, and I served here upon the arrival of refugees to the area. My husband and I have a long history of serving others as we were both very active with the IBEW during our employment with Philips Lighting before they pulled their factory out for cheaper labor in Mexico. Tom served his country for 24 years in the Navy. We are scheduled to attend the USS Yellowstone Reunion to be held in Maryland in May. I like to write though that has been for the most part confined to business writing, though I have penned a few stories and poems. In my previous church I served in the following areas: Council Chair, Outreach Chair, Choir, Bell Choir, VBS, Missions, Web Master, Guest Services, Usher, Communion, Meals on Wheels.
2. Who do you like working with? Kids, adults, teens, elderly etc?
I have not been very successful with teenagers. I don't mind helping out in the nursery from time to time or working in crafts during VBS and I wouldn't mind teaching young girls how to crochet if there was ever an opportunity for that; perhaps that might be a "prayer shawl" ministry beginning? I work with the elderly everyday:-) I am a team player.
3. Who have you served in the past that you felt like you did a good job? God.
4. What area of your life have others complimented you in? Organizational skills, scheduling, insight, analytical abilities, outspoken (not always appreciated for that one)) adventurous spirit, creativity, forward thinking
1. What do you like doing? What are your hobbies, and interests? I like sports, being active and enjoying the sun and nature. I like to cook (and eat). I used to like to read but I have found that my attention span has dramatically decreased over the last few years. I like to spend time with my kids, watching them play and hearing them laugh especially.
ReplyDelete2. Who do you like working with? Kids, adults, teens, elderly etc? I prefer working with adults!!!!! I have been told I am good with kids and I suppose I am but that would only be because I feel like children are delicate beings who deserve to be treated with love and affection and patience. If I were to be around children on a long term basis, however, I would probably have a hard time being so kind to them. I spend so much of my time with my two children, and so little time with other adults that I have a deep appreciation for every minute of fellowship that I get with adults. I also feel like I have made so many mistakes as an adult that I have a broader perspective to see other people for who they can be rather than who they are or appreciate who they are as a result of who they were. Jesus said we are to love one another as we love ourselves. This has been something difficult for me to comprehend since I have struggled with loving myself but God is working with me on that. Adults in general, have a difficult time loving one another or accepting love from other people. For some reason, I don't know why, I genuinely and truly love all people and I want to be able to share that with other adults. It is my desire to show Christ's love through my love.
3. Who have you served in the past that you felt like you did a good job? This is a difficult question to answer. I'm not at all good at "self-evaluation". I think I made some pretty good chili to serve to the community in Vilonia. I would have loved to stay out there all day and just talk to people and feed them but I had to get the kids out of the rain and take them home. I serve my children on a daily basis but refuse to be at their beck and call. I serve my son in his walk with the Lord, teaching him and being a spiritual leader for him. I have served my brother when he was going through a divorce and I served my friends when they were sick. I have offered service to the church through working with children. I got to serve on the Porn Staff albeit reluctantly. I think I did a pretty good job with that one! I served my brother and his children when his youngest daughter died. I spent two weeks with him tending to his housework and errands and cooking for him and his kids. I served the homeless through outreaches in Celebrate Recovery. I guess that's about all I can think of. I'm probably missing a thing or two but felt like I have gone on long enough.
4. What area of your life have others complimented you in? I don't know...I probably don't listen well enough to the good things people say to me. I have a hard time accepting compliments so they tend to go in one ear and out the other. People say I'm a good mom and I suppose I would have to agree with that. My children are good children and I have given them everything so that their suffering would be minimal. Some people say I am good at singing but I'm not convinced of that one! I am complimented on my intelligence and that is not something I could really argue with either, I certainly don't think I'm stupid! I have been complimented for being "real" and for truly caring about people instead of pretending to care about people.