rePURPOSEd

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

John 1:4 (NLT)

“I wish you were never born!” As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized the weight of what I had just said in anger to my older brother. Even though I was only 10 or 11 years old, I was mature enough to know that saying that to someone was not OK. I didn’t really desire that my brother cease to exist – though in that moment I wished he would just go away for a little while. I’m not even really sure where the words came from. Yet, there they hung.

Luckily, brothers can often times just move past awkward moments in life. In my experience, it just means you settle up in other, more physical ways. We did.

But, what happens when those thoughts aren’t about someone else? What happens when we begin to question why we were even born? Or, when we question why we have the physical and character traits that we do? Genetics plays a part in it. However, the answer is much simpler than solving the riddle of the DNA strand. God created you.

As our verse today states, Jesus (The Word) gave life to everyone. Let me put this more directly. You are here, and you are built how you are built, because God thought of you and decided He wanted you in His life. You were made on purpose, there are no mistakes. You exist because the King of the Universe thought you were worthy to exist.

So, what about those traits that are not OK? (Like telling your brother you wished God didn’t create him…) Those aren’t part of God’s original design for you and me. Though God didn’t make mistakes when He created each of us, we make mistakes because we are sinful creatures. Those sins begin to reshape the creation that we are into something that we are not. This is where the second part of the verse comes in: “His life brought light to everyone.”

Though we make mistakes Jesus lights the path that leads us back to who God created us to be. When we chose to follow it, His light leads us back to our Creator who reshapes and molds us – as only He can – back into His original creation. Our identity is found in Him, not what we, or others think of us, or how we feel. You are not a mistake. God created you and me on purpose.

In fact, my church, here in Salem, Oregon, is hosting a seven-part series beginning this Wednesday (Nov. 9). You should check it out, and, if in the area, come out to find out more about why God created you and who He calls you to be. For more information go to our website at www.eastsalemchurch.org