by Rev Steve Nickodemus

How do I fit in?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
1  Corinthians 12:4

One of my Mom’s favorite sayings was, “Variety is the spice of life.” I think Mom meant that it is a good thing that God did not create us all alike, that we each have a bit of a different “flavor.”

But do you ever wish that you were different than you are, that somehow you might be more worthwhile if you were smarter, stronger, prettier, taller, shorter, faster, wittier, quieter, louder, lighter, darker, or richer?  Do you ever find yourself saying, “I wish I could be more like…”? Maybe you have even gone so far to ask God, “Why didn’t you make me different than I am?”

If these thoughts trouble you, let me make two things perfectly clear: God loves you just as you are, and, God made you unique as a sign of His special plan for your life.

God loves you so much that He sent His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to die for your sins that you might be His own and live forever with Him.  He loved you before you were born and He continually renews that love toward you daily.  God loves you just as you are.

And God has a special plan for your life, a plan for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  His plan will bring great good through you and give Him great glory.  God made you unique as a sign of His special plan for your life.

God had this love and this plan for you long before the creation of the world.  And He made you just the way you are, unique and loved, for your good and His glory.

After all, variety is the spice of life!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado