Day 4: You Were Built for This

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10 ESV

When we accepted Jesus as Savior, we were saved from the penalty of sin. We were saved by grace not as a result of anything that we did. It is not because of how good or faithful we are that dictates our salvation. Salvation is a free gift given as a result of our belief and confession that Jesus is Lord. When we accepted Jesus as Savior, Ephesians tells us that the Lord created us anew in Christ Jesus. Verse 10 tells us that we are God’s workmanship. Other translations say we are his masterpiece. Both workmanship and masterpiece convey the fact that we are incredibly special to God. It lets us know that God took his time and fashioned and formed us. He put thought and consideration into everything that concerns us. But most importantly, it lets us know that when He finished with us, He was pleased with His creation. Beloved, God is pleased with you! He called you His workmanship, His masterpiece!

It’s important to note that He didn’t take His time fashioning and forming us for no reason. He was so specific and intentional about us because we were created for a specific purpose that God predetermined from the beginning of time. The great news is that when we accepted Jesus as Savior, we became new creatures who are now equipped to go forth and fulfill the purpose that He designed for us to fulfill from the beginning of time.

Before accepting Jesus, we went about life according to our own plans. We did what we wanted to do according to what we thought was right. More importantly, before salvation, we operated in our own strength and ability. A strength and ability which is limited. However, at the time of salvation, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. We receive supernatural help to equip us to do all that God designed for us to do. So often, the struggles that we experience in life are simply because we are trying to navigate life without seeking God’s help. When we fail to seek Him for direction, we often find ourselves in places that He never intended us to be. When we try to operate in our own strength, we find ourselves tired, worn out, and frustrated.

God never intended you and me to fulfill our life’s purpose outside of Him. It is His desire that we allow Him to work through us to fulfill the plans that He has for us. This assignment that He has you on now didn’t take Him by surprise. He’s put everything in you that you will need to fulfill it. He’s just waiting for you to walk in it with Him.

Reflection: Consider what it is that the Lord has assigned you to do. Now reflect on the fact that He created you specifically to accomplish this and other good works. Think about the fact that your Father has equipped you with everything that you would need to successfully be able to do what He assigns your hands to do. How does this knowledge shape your actions moving forward?

Prayer prompt: Father, thank you for creating me for a specific purpose. Father, may I always be reminded that You have already laid the path for me to walk in with You.