For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
As we begin our trek through a new year, there is an understanding we must all carry with us, and it is found in the verse above.
We Are His Handiwork
When I looked in the mirror this morning, I didn’t appear to be a very good model of God’s handiwork. I’m old: missing most of my teeth. I don’t hear well. Don’t see well. And I walk like I’m 150. But God knew me before I knew myself, and He had most definite plans for me. If you looked on the bottom of my foot, you’d see a “Made in Heaven” sticker — despite all my shortcomings.
As I considered those plans God has for me, I was taken to the following passage in I Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not —to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
God has plans for me and for you. He asks simply one thing from us. We need to be available. I won’t make assumptions. God asks only that I open my heart to hear His instructions. Consider this fellow.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias went.
Acts 9:10-17
And because Ananias went, we have the man Paul, who has impacted us all immeasurably. We never hear from Ananias again. But he was there when God needed him.
As we enter this new year, be attuned to God. He has plans! You are included.
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