Has it occurred to any of us that the use of labels and titles may have played a part in people’s inability to win in the realm of habits? Misapplication of them have short circuited their ability to connect to their actual gifts and callings. Labels can actually become a proverbial box in disguise. Some find themselves pigeon holed by those labels and titles, while completely overlooking gifts they possess. The search for identity has led them to rely on labels and titles to define who they believe themselves to be, or wish to be. “I’m this, so I cannot be that.” Sometimes the labels and titles exclude people, simply because of their use of exclusivity insinuates only certain people are special enough to hold them. It all boils down to human reason.
Try this one on for size: how many of you are creative? Some of you may have had said, “I am,” while others did not. In fact, some of you might have thought of someone whom you consider to be very creative; hence, “I’ll never be like ___.” You fill in the blank. Consider these passages of Scripture, and let’s see how accurate you’re looking at yourself in relation to this label.
Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.
Are you created in the image of God? How did He first reveal Himself? As the Creator. Part of His nature is creative, and that makes you creative as well. He made us partakers of His divine nature. Even science has shown that children are actually born creative geniuses, and uncreative behavior is learned. That means you were born a creative genius, and for some, you have lost touch with your genius because of what you were taught.
Before going further, while searching for your strengths, don’t limit God. He can place you anywhere He desires, in spite of your so called weaknesses. Especially because of your weaknesses! Have you ever read, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
In light of these verses, your weaknesses may actually be your strengths. Think of the Twelve Apostles. How many of them were considered well educated? How do you suppose they would score on some sort of strength finder test? Would you have considered them to be future world shakers? You may actually be called to something for which you have no apparent aptitude. How many wound up pastoring a church or teaching Bible classes, that were the least expected to so? Even the label, “strength,” could actually become a liability, especially if you rely more on it than God. Remember, grace is God’s unmerited favor that enables us to do the things we cannot do in our own strength. Obviously, use the gifts He has given you for His glory, but don’t rule out those things you don’t think you’re cut out for. Do get caught up in human reason, let God define who you are.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
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