"What Makes You You?", Part 6

 

“What Makes You You?”

(Please read the above article beforehand.)

“Your hands shaped me and made me….” (Job 10:8, emphasis added).

Part 6: Your Experiences

“No Accidents”

 

Of the unique blend of spiritual gifting, heart, abilities, personality and experiences which comprise our S.H.A.P.E. the only one not inborn is our experiences, or those events which impact our lives. These happenings involve our families, social connections, education, work, spiritual relationships and many other areas. And because they’re part of God’s plan for molding us there are no accidents. After washing His disciples’ feet Jesus said to Peter, “You do not realize what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7). This has proven true many times in the lives of God’s people recorded in Scripture which are there to help us see His working in us (“…All those words which were written long ago are meant to teach us today….”—Romans 15:4, PH; “…We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God….”—Romans 8:28, NASB {emphasis added in both passages}).

We can benefit greatly from our experiences as we understand how they build certainty in God’s faithfulness (“God…is faithful.”—1 Corinthians 1:9); confidence in His purposes (“…What has happened…has really served to advance the gospel.”—Philippians 1 12); and character for His glory (‘…Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”—1 Corinthians 10:31). As we think long and hard about significant events in our lives God’s desire is that we profit from them (“Remember…the things {he has done}….”—Deuteronomy 11:2) as well as those of others (“These things happened to {the Israelites} as examples and were written down as warnings for us….”—1 Corinthians 10:11) and use them to help others (“As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”—Proverbs 27:17, NLT). Our experiences can make us better or bitter—the choice lies with each one of us.

Our being part of the Body of Christ is no coincidence (“God…has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 1:9). He has uniquely shaped and equipped us to worship, serve and fellowship together. Never forget that “It is he who has made us, and we are his….” (Psalm 100:3). And He’s made you you and me me. Let’s honor and respect His wisdom and creativity and “…offer ourselves to God….” (Romans 6:13).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"What Makes You You?", Part 5

 

“What Makes You You?”

(Please read the above article beforehand.)

“Your hands shaped me and made me….” (Job 10:8, emphasis added).

Part 5: Your Personality

“Why We Act the Way We Do”

 

One of the two psychology courses I took in college included a study of human personality which explored character traits each of us possesses and which distinguish us from others (some 18,000 such qualities have been identified). Most professionals have followed a pattern generally attributed to Hippocrates, a fifth century B.C. Greek physician who has been called the Father of Medicine, who defined four personality types: sanguine and choleric (extrovert/outgoing) and melancholy and phlegmatic (introvert/reserved). Each category has strengths and weaknesses, contributing to David’s observation that we are “…fearfully and wonderfully made….” (Psalm 139:14) and leading to potential difficulties in relationships (“No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone….”—1 Corinthians 2:11, NLT).

To illustrate how “personality theory” plays out in life relationships let’s look at Jesus’ disciples. We don’t know much about some of them but we see others in this way:

*Sanguine: Peter (outspoken but weak on follow through—John 13:37-38).

*Choleric: James and John (focused but little wiggle room—Luke 9:51-56).

*Melancholy: Andrew (sensitive but pessimistic—John 6:8-9).

 

(Note that brothers James and John were alike but Peter and Andrew were different.)

 

*Phlegmatic: Thomas (dependable but stubborn—John 11:16; 20:24-29).

 

Remember too that Matthew collected taxes for the Romans and Simon was a Jewish Zealot. It’s a testimony to Jesus’ skill as a Teacher and Leader that the group stayed together. (It’d have been interesting to be a fly on the wall during one of their “team meetings”!)

Differences in our emotional make-ups make families, churches and other relationships ripe for conflict. This calls for awareness, acceptance and appreciation of diversities among those we know and love. As we seek to understand why we and others act the way we/they do we can see God at work as the “…peace of Christ (rules) in (our) hearts….” (Colossians 3:15). May this make us thankful for and respect each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"What Makes You You"?, Part 4

 

“What Makes You You?”

(Please read the above article beforehand.)

“Your hands shaped me and made me….” (Job 10:8, emphasis added).

Part 4: Your Abilities

“Don’t Sell Yourself Short”

 

Simply stated, an ability is something one is capable of doing. Those who study human behavior have concluded that the average person has 500-700 such skills. Some are commonplace (e.g. driving, tying one’s shoes, reading, writing) while others could be described as extraordinary (e.g. hitting a baseball 450 feet, rebuilding a car engine, playing a piano concerto). We all have a unique combination of talents which can contribute to God’s work as they come from Him (“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.”—Romans 12:6, NLT) so none of us can say we have nothing to offer.

One of the great (and overlooked) examples of God-given skills in Scripture is the account of Bezalel and Oholiab in Exodus 35:30-36:3. These are the two men God chose and equipped to build the tabernacle according to His instructions. We’re told God “…filled (Bezalel)…with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts….” (Exodus 35:31) and “…gave both him and Oholiab…the ability to teach others.” (Verse 34). With these abilities and skills they completed their God-assigned task and “Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:43).

When God calls us as His people to a task for which He has prepared us we must understand His provision, purpose and plan for their use (“…{He will} equip you with everything good for doing His will  ….”—Hebrews 13:21). Once we’ve determined what we can do (remember no one can do everything but we all can do something) we’re to dedicate, develop and discharge them to His glory. And He will hold us accountable if we fail to do so (“Much is required from those to whom much is given….”—Luke 12:48, NKJV).

We must be careful, however, to avoid the extremes of pride and self-depreciation. Paul cautions his readers, “Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance….” (Romans 12:3, PH) and saw himself as “…the least of the apostles….” (1 Corinthians 15:9, NASB) but recognized “…By the grace of God I am what I am….” (1 Corinthians 15:10), a truth in which we all can rejoice. As a small boy is reported to have said, “God don’t make (or give) no junk!” God doesn’t sell us short—and neither should we! To adapt a principle from Jesus’ parable in Luke 19:13: “Put (your abilities) to work until I come back.”

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"What Makes You You?", Part 3

 

“What Makes You You?”

(Please read the above article beforehand.)

“Your hands shaped me and made me….” (Job 10:8, emphasis added).

Part 3: Your Heart

“Heartbeats”

 

Fingerprints were first developed and used in police work in Argentina in 1892 and made its way to New York in 1902. In 1986 DNA evidence was introduced in criminal cases in England and the U.S. Both are highly accurate because the likelihood of two persons’ having the same fingerprints or DNA are extremely small. The same is true of each of our heartbeats. EKG procedures show there are countless variations to the “bomp-bomp” we feel and sometimes hear as our heart does its work in us 24/7/365, totaling over 3 billion beats during an 80 year lifespan. Truly we can all say with David, “…I am fearfully and wonderfully made….” (Psalm 139:14).

“Heart” occurs some 570 times in Scripture, the vast majority not referring to the pump in our chest but, in the words of theologian Owen Brandon, “The center or focus of one’s inner personal life.” This is why we think and act as we do and why we must take Solomon’s words seriously: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT). Jesus confirmed this when He told the Pharisees, “…Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34).

Just as our physical heartbeat is unique so is our emotional heartbeat, which explains what excites our passions. When I completed my time on our church fellowship’s board in 1998 the spokesman noted that I was passionate about chaplaincy ministry. After 30 years I’m still involved in supporting these missionaries to our military, health care venues, prisons and other areas through prayer and contact via email and phone. Others’ enthusiasm may lie with music, children’s work, outreach or another sphere of service as well as other areas of our lives. We must remember, however, that not everyone is passionate for what we are (“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….”—Ecclesiastes 9:10, emphasis added) so let’s respect the freedom of others to live out what motivates them.

A preacher once observed, “There are only two things that last forever: God’s Word (Psalm 119:89) and people’s souls (John 3:36). I plan to invest my life in both.” Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). So we must each ask, “Where’s my heart?” May it be where God wants it to be.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"What Makes You You?", Part 2

 

“What Makes You You?”

(Please read the above article beforehand.)

“Your hands shaped me and made me.” (Job 10:8, emphasis added).

Part 2: Your Spiritual Gifting

“Gifted Children”

 

The 1989-1993 ABC comedy/drama series “Doogie Howser, M.D.” featured a prodigy who became a licensed physician at the ripe old age of 14. While fictional, the program called attention to gifted children in academia, athletics and the arts and the issues they sometimes face in fitting in with their peers and meeting unreasonable performance expectations.

As believers in Christ we’re gifted children—that is, we all have divinely bestowed abilities which equip us for ministry (“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.”—1 Peter 4:10, NLT, emphasis added). But “We have different gifts….” (Romans 12:6). What are they? Most Bible teachers list between 15 and 20 specific ones, some more noticeable while others are more supportive. Who receives each one(s)? That’s up to the sovereign will of God through the Holy Spirit (“It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”—1 Corinthians 12:11, NLT, emphasis added).

I’m no mathematician so I once asked a member of one of my churches who was to figure out how many combinations of gifts are possible. Using a math formula he concluded that if there’s a 50%-50% chance of someone having a particular gift there are 32,767 potential groupings if there are 15 gifts and 1,048,577 if there are 20. So the chances that any one of us knows someone with the exact array as we have are remote. Therefore we’re uniquely qualified to carry out any responsibility God might entrust to us.

A number of “spiritual gift inventories” have been developed to help God’s people identify and utilize their God-given abilities. While these can be helpful my experience has shown me that the best method to determine one’s gifting is to become involved in some ministry. If one finds this effort to be enjoyable and productive the chances are that he/she has discovered his/her gift(s). But (to borrow a title from a recent posting) “You can’t just sit there!” Give some opportunity a try by making yourself available to God as His gifted child.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"What Makes You You?"

 

“What Makes You You?”

Part 1: Introduction to Your S.H.A.P.E.

 

God loves variety. Think of His creation of water and land, mountains and valleys, animals that swim, fly, crawl and walk and especially people. In Psalm 139:13-16 David describes himself as an original (“…You shaped me first inside, then out….”—Verse 13, TM), complex (“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!”—Verse 14, NLT) and purposeful (“Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”—Verse 16, NLT). So we can each say, in the words of Bill and Gloria Gaither, “…I’m something special, I’m the only one of my kind.”

Every one of us is uniquely created in God’s image and is “one of a kind” as described above. Pastor Rick Warren calls this our S.H.A.P.E. based on Job 10:8: “Your hands shaped me and made me….” (Emphasis added). This acronym reflects five areas which blend to make each one of us distinctive. These include….

Spiritual Gifting—divinely bestowed abilities which equip us for ministry (“Each one should use whatever gift {he or she} has received to serve others….”—1 Peter 4:10).

Heart—what excites us and/or prompts our passion (“…As {one} thinks in {his or her} heart, so {he or she} is.”—Proverbs 23:7, NKJV).

Abilities—our human skills (“…I have filled him {i.e. Bezalel, chief builder of the tabernacle}…with skill, ability and knowledge…Exodus 31:3).

Personality—our distinctive inner qualities which distinguish us from others (“…Esau became a skillful hunter…while Jacob was...staying among the tents.”—Genesis 25:27).

Experiences—what’s been participated in ourselves or observed in others (“…All those words which were written long ago are meant to teach us today; that when we read in the scriptures of the endurance of{men and women} and of all things God gave them in those days, we may be encouraged to go on hoping in our own time.”—Romans 15:4).

We’ll be exploring these qualities in the next five articles. Remember there are probably billions of possible combinations that make each of us who we are. So don’t worry about being like someone else (except Jesus)—let’s just be concerned over being what God wants us to be and making Him look good,

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"If There Were No Christmas"

 

“If There Were No Christmas….”

 

Have we ever thought of living in a world in which there was no Christmas? Likely some enterprising entrepreneurs would come up with something creative to separate us from our money but what would be celebrated? And what would be missing from our lives and the world as a whole? In 1998 Karen became grieved over what Christmas had become and put her thoughts into a song she called “If You Had Not Come”:

“If You had not come on that night long ago, where would this world be?

All men’s hearts would know a darkness throughout all eternity.

If You had not come we would have stayed in our despair;

If You had not come we’d have no one who really cared.

“If You had not come on that night long ago, there would be no peace.

All the sins of the whole world would reign, there’d be no release.

If You had not come to turn our darkness into light;

If You had not come to turn our blindness into sight….

If You had not come; If You had not come….

 

“But You did come! As was promised by the Father;

Yes, You did come! There could be no other;

Oh, You did come! Putting all of Heav’n aside—

Casting off Your splendor in exchange for being denied.

 

 

“Yes, You did come! Growing up to be our Sacrifice;

You did come! Paying my sin’s price;

Oh, You did come! Giving hope and love and joy—

I will always thank You, for You did come—You did come!”

As I reread these words God gave Karen a quarter century ago I thought and sorrowed over what our society has become with Christ excluded from virtually every area including the “holiday” that bears His Name. But He did come “…to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) which includes each of us because “…(our) iniquities have separated (us) from (our) God….” (Isaiah 59:2). The price for our sin has been paid, forgiveness is available to “…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord….” (Romans 10:13, emphasis added). Will you include yourself in this promise from God?

 

Grace, Blessings and Merry CHRISTmas!

Jim and Karen McMillan