Uniqueness

— For the week of April 27, 2008 —

You are an original.
God has shaped you for ministry.
— H. Norman Wright

I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
— Acts 26:19

Dr. Charles Crow often says, tongue-in-cheek, "God loves you ... but people have a wonderful plan for your life." Often in ministry we have "plans" or "visions" that others thrust upon us. Sometimes, we unwisely attempt to "import" the plans and visions of other successful ministers, usually without success.

You must understand that God is a personal God. He has a vision for you just as He has a vision for the minister next door. He's unique and His vision for your ministry is unique.

In the physical realm, we wouldn't think of borrowing a friend's eyeglasses to solve our own vision problems. We might gladly accept the name and number of his eye doctor, but we would need an individual screening to determine corrective measures for our own vision. Yet we go to conferences and hear how someone built their church or ministry, and we expect to build ours the same way. It won't work!

Our loving heavenly Father is willing and able to show us our "vision from heaven." This is the plan and purpose for our lives that He has ordained — not our parents, not our teachers, or any other human being.

If you have not discovered your specific calling and mission, begin seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance today. Then always remember your uniqueness in Christ. Guard against distractions and detours. You are to accomplish God's will for your life, not someone else's!

Taken from The Minister's Little Devotional Book.
Copyright © 1997 by H.B. London Jr. and Stan Toler.
Used by permission of RiverOak Publishing, Tulsa, Okla.
All rights reserved.