Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“An Uncommon Call to an Uncommon Life”
“I arrived on the scene before Ocean, yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes.” – Proverbs 8:24
The past few verses have been a grand reminder that the life we have was not by chance! It was wonderfully and magnificently orchestrated by a Master Planner. And what these verses also let us in on is that Wisdom was before it all—God’s Master Plan which included us all along. I have a deep—overwhelming appreciation for the beauty of this earth. I have said on several occasions how much I love the mountains—especially the Rocky Mountains where I grew up and the streams and rivers that run through the canyons. I could spend an entire day walking along those streams communicating with God. Sometimes I get the impression He created these magnificent works just for my enjoyment and pleasure. And then to think…that before any of this came to be God had instilled His greatest work—His mind—His thoughts and His dreams. If the mountains, oceans, rivers, streams, forests are His “after-thoughts” then how much greater is His wisdom? I came to a startling conclusion some time ago that has allowed me a great amount of freedom—and that is other people can say things much better than I. Much better. The following comes from the mind, pen and heart of one of my favorite Christian writers, Max Lucado. It’s entitled: “An Uncommon Call to an Uncommon Life.”
Each person is given something to do that shows who God is. (1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG) Da Vinci painted one Mona Lisa. Beethoven composed one Fifth Symphony. And God made one version of you. He custom designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment. Mine like a gold digger the unique-to-you nuggets from your life. When I was six years old, my father built us a house. Architectural Digest didn’t notice, but my mom sure did. Dad constructed it, board by board, every day after work. My youth didn’t deter him from giving me a job. He tied an empty nail apron around my waist, placed a magnet in my hands, and sent me on daily patrols around the building site, carrying my magnet only inches off the ground. One look at my tools and you could guess my job. Stray-nail collector. One look at yours and the same can be said. Brick by brick, life by life, God is creating a kingdom, a “spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:5 Contemporary English Version). He entrusted you with a key task in the project. Examine your tools and discover it. Your ability unveils your destiny. “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 4:11). When God gives an assignment, he also gives the skill. Study your skills, then, to reveal your assignment. Look at you. Your uncanny ease with numbers. Your quenchless curiosity about chemistry. Others stare at blueprints and yawn; you read them and drool. “I was made to do this,” you say. Heed that inner music. No one else hears it the way you do. What about you? Our Maker gives assignments to people, “to each according to each one’s unique ability” (Matt. 25:15). As he calls, he equips. Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness. You have one. A divine spark. An uncommon call to an uncommon life. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1st Corinthians 12:7 CEV). So much for the excuse “I don’t have anything to offer.” Did the apostle Paul say, “The Spirit has given some of us…”? Or, “The Spirit has given a few of us …”? No. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.” Enough of this self-deprecating “I can’t do anything.” And enough of its arrogant opposite: “I have to do everything. ” No, you don’t! You’re not God’s solution to society, but a solution in society. Imitate Paul, who said, “Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us” (2 Cor. 10:13 NLT). Clarify your contribution. Don’t worry about skills you don’t have. Don’t covet strengths others do have. Just extract your uniqueness. “Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you” (2nd Timothy 1:6 NASB).
Thank you Lord for the life you give! And you want us to truly live it!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell