Have you ever considered your distinctiveness? There is only one you. You are the sole human being carrying the traits, qualities and character that you do.
Why did God do that? Why did God create each life to be so specific, so exact, so individual?
I am only just beginning to glimpse something of an answer to this question. I have long believed that God has a good plan for each of our lives and that we should live in a way that brings Him glory. But now He’s starting to teach me that because I am unique, there are unique purposes for me to fulfill.
I am discovering that dreams and visions (in the goal sense) can and should be God-given. I think He desires to place in each of our hearts a dream – or, most likely, many dreams – in order to help us fulfill the purposes he has for our lives. He is the one who inspires us to dream. He is the dream giver.
In John 17:4 Jesus says to his Father, “I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do,” and in John 9:4 he says, “All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me.” Surely this applies to each of us? It’s about purposeful, intentional living.
This beautiful song (lyrics and recording below) by Steven Curtis Chapman – off his latest album re.creation – is a lovely reminder of how special each one of us is to God. You and I are His unique gifts to the world, so let’s purpose to “carry out the tasks assigned to us” by our loving, heavenly Father.
And don’t forget… you are here on earth by design. Even before you were born, every day of your life was recorded in God’s book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139).
Meant to Be (Psalm 139: 13 – 16)
Long before you drew your first breath
A dream was coming true
God wanted to give a gift to the world
So He wrapped it up in you
Every step that you’ve taken
Every move that you make
Is part of His plan
You were meant to be touching the lives that you touch
And meant to be here making this world so much more
Than it would be without you in it
You were meant to be bringing the gifts that you bring
And singing the songs you’ve been given to sing
You are perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully meant to be
You were meant to be
Long before you took your first fall
And stumbled to the ground
God started telling the story of you
To the angels gathered around
Every failure and victory
And everything in-between
It’s all in His hands
You are, you are, you are meant to be
You are, you are, you are meant to be
For every breath that you’re taking
And every move that you make
It’s a meaningful life you’ve been given
So live it well
(Thanks to BigIdea.com for posting the song on YouTube)
Swallows on the Stoep 