Who God Called You To Be

We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:10)

I have received many good gifts in my life. I count all of you as one of the best! You inspire me so much – as you come together in Bible study, in prayer; as you come together to accomplish another effort of culinary art – enjoying fellowship with each other while giving the community another little taste of heaven, as you bring your gifts to worship, as you decorate and share music, as you join in the many building projects, fixing and painting, as you welcome another guest and invite them to the table.

(Welcome, Pr. Kay and Brian Knight!!) and on and on. The witness is clear. We’ve all met someone, and His name is Jesus!

Jesus’ revealing God’s heart in flesh and blood as a babe born in Bethlehem has changed the face of this earth. The door is open for us to experience what we are destined to be – connected to Him, growing in our understanding of God’s purpose, and serving others as He serves us, as our mission statement describes.

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, “We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” He writes this just after stating that we are saved by grace through faith, so there is no confusion: The good works that we do are not the means by which we “buy” God’s grace. Good works are the means by which we live life to its fullest – serving God as we serve our neighbor. Doing good works for others – making positive contributions to the world we live in – is what God has purposed to do. It’s the mark of being a child of God and a follower of Christ.

Our service makes a difference often beyond our wildest imagination. Your positive demeanor, your smile, your welcome, your helping hand, your word of encouragement, your presence on Sunday morning, your voice singing alongside others in worship, your warm greeting at the church or at work or at the grocery store, your prayers in private or in a group, your financial offering small or large, your time tutoring or going out of your way to say hello to a child, your inviting someone to your dinner table and saying grace before the meal. . . All of this makes a difference beyond what you can imagine.

This is, in part, what the Apostle Paul had in mind a chapter later in Ephesians when he writes that by the power at work within us, God is able to accomplish far more than all we can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Sometimes we minimize the good that we do; “Aw, it was nothing.” Maybe it isn’t much. Big or small isn’t the issue. We do good simply because that is how our hope is wired, that is who God calls us to be. The great news is that when we are responsive to God’s call, God is able to accomplish that which is far beyond our wildest imagination.

Be who God has called you to be! Do your part – no matter if it’s large or small. God is with you.

Keep and Live the Faith!
Pr. Dave Dahl