God's Army

The Army used to have a slogan: "Be all you can be -The Army!" The commercial showed men and women climbing mountains and jumping out of planes and all kinds of exciting stuff. How inspiring is that? How terrifying is that?!! I can say for me, it's the latter!

The Army's slogan should definitely be an inspiration for Christians. We are certainly an army..God's Army! But notice the slogan says, "Be all you 'CAN' be." It never says, "Be all you 'would like' to be!" Or "Be all other people wish you were!"

My nephew is a P.J. in the Air Force. For those of you who don't know what that job entails, P.J.s (para-rescue jumpers) are the ones who rappel out of helicopters under gunfire to rescue their injured comrades. They also retrieve the bodies of those who sacrifice their lives for our freedom. Could I do that job? Not on your life (no pun intended!)!

I'm a firm believer that we are all created with a specific purpose. Actually, we have many specific purposes. My eyes were opened to this concept on a deeper level after having children. My first born was, from the beginning, full of anxiety and fear. At the same time, he was (and still is) the sweetest heart I know. He was always quick to make friends on the playground, but he only has a few really close friends. My second born was completely opposite. He was a fighter from the get-go. He was the deeply thinking, deeply feeling type with lots of determination. He was slow to make friends, but once he did he was loyal for life! My third-born is a good mix of the two, yet still different. He has a sensitive heart but can deer hunt with no guilt at the same time. He can talk to a fencepost! He has many, many friends, all of whom he considers to be close friends. All of my boys have matured and grown with time, but all of them are basically the same inside as they were from the beginning.

I have always been an introvert myself. I'm not so introverted that I can't make eye contact with someone or that I can't carry a conversation with someone I don't know, but inside, I dread the unsolicited conversation or having to go to group events. I always have. Back in my 20's I decided that there is no reason I had to stay that way. I reasoned that just because I felt introverted didn't mean I had to present myself that way. I became much more outspoken and bold, and I put myself into social situations I had once avoided. I handled it pretty well for a while, but one day it hit me how exhausting it was to pretend to be something I'm not. That day, I retired from the front I had created and embraced who God knit me to be! I felt free from being imprisoned in the jail that I felt the world had forced me into!! Psalm 139:13 (NIV) says: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Knitting something is very intententional and intricate. Every stitch makes a difference in the design and integrity of the finished product. You were "knit" together!

Often times I hear teachers or preachers suggesting that God will give you the courage to overcome what is seen as shortcomings for His purpose, and I completely agree with that! He can and will use you where He sees fit, whether you like it or not! But did you ever think to ask God why he made you who you are to begin with? Just like the potter makes a bowl for soup and a pitcher to pour drinks, God made you for a specific purpose. He gave you the right shape and attributes to complete your purpose, and we are all called to do unique things!

Can you draw or paint? I'm hoping the answer is no, because my next point will be more effective: paint a beautiful ocean scene, complete with seagulls flying overhead and children playing in the waves. Does your painting look like a masterpiece fit for a high-end art gallery or does it look like a 4-year-old finger painted it?

As an artist myself, I can tell you no one can teach you how to paint. It is something you are born knowing and envisioning how to do. It's just created in us from the beginning. Every artist I know has a different, individual style of artistry. No two paintings ever look the same by two different artists! What does your painting look like? Is your painting a big mess? Then, what are you created to do? Are you a writer? A teacher? An engineer? A cook? All can be used for the glory of God.

One of my favorite worship leaders is Chris Tomlin. What I admire about him is how comfortable he is being totally uninhibited in worship in front of thousands of people. His music and lyrics reflect his talent and also his heart for God. Can you imagine him being given that gift and playing quietly at home to himself because he was too shy to perform in a stadium?  God gave him every attribute and also every opportunity he needed to put him where he is today as a major artist of Christian music.

Chris is an example of a Christian who has discovered what he was created to do. What is your purpose? Are you shy and quiet? Be a listener. We can't talk and really listen at the same time..we need listeners! Quiet people are often problem solvers and prayer warriors as well! Are you bold and outgoing? Be a speaker! Someone needs to speak truth into our lives..might as well be you!

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

Use your gifts. YOUR gifts. Apply yourself where you are effective, instead of working in vain trying to keep up with what you think you should be doing. Just think of a world where everyone is using his or her natural gifts! Just think how pleased God would be if we embraced and owned those gifts for His purpose! Just think, what could be accomplished in God's Army if we were being "All We Could Be"?