In Isaiah 43:7 I read, “Bring to me all the people who are mine, whom I made for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (NCV)
The acrostic called SHAPE is the way God wired me for my life. Every area of my life is influenced by the way I’m shaped.
My SHAPE is made up of my Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. These are the five things that make me who I am.
No one else has my particular combination of gifts, talents, and passions. Why do I think I have my particular makeup? Because God gave it to me for his glory. If all Christians liked to do the same things and were good at the same things, we would accomplish a lot less for the Gospel in the world.
So God made me unique, and there’s nobody else like me. My SHAPE is mine alone. Why does this matter?
My SHAPE reveals God’s purpose for me. I find out what God wants me to do with my life by discovering how he shaped me. But here’s the thing: God won’t force me to do his plan. I can waste my life. I can use it on all kinds of personal, self-centered things and end up missing God’s purpose for me. In fact, most people do. That’s a tragedy. And it’s also why so many people are so frustrated! They’re trying to be something somebody else wants them to be rather than what God wants them to be.
My SHAPE equips me to serve God. God has a life mission for me that nobody else on this planet can do. Maybe I’ve missed that mission. Maybe I’ve missed serving God. But I can start today and make the rest of my life the best of my life. God will never ask me to do anything in life that he hasn’t already given me the ability to do.
My SHAPE prepares me for a life in heaven. As a follower of Jesus, this life is preparation for the next life in heaven. God says, “This is a test. I’m testing you to see what you will do with what you’ve been given on Earth. Based on that, I will determine what I give you to do in heaven for eternity.”
My SHAPE shows God’s glory. When I use my SHAPE and do what God made me to do, it not only feels good, but it also makes God smile. I am only fully alive when I live connected to God and according to the way he created me. God smiles when he looks down and sees me using the talents that he gave me for his glory.
Isaiah 43:7 says, “Bring to me all the people who are mine, whom I made for my glory, whom I formed and made” (NCV). God made me, to enjoy me!
When I wonder why I am the way I am, remember that God gave me my particular SHAPE. Take time to discover and live in it. My SHAPE will help me understand God’s purpose for me, serve God effectively, prepare for life in heaven, and show God’s glory!
In summary, God wants and has a purpose for me. He made me for his glory. The acrostic called SHAPE is the way God wired me for my life. Every area of my life is influenced by the way I’m shaped. My SHAPE is made up of my Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. No one else has my particular combination of these. God gave these to me for his glory. So God made me unique, unlike anybody else. My SHAPE reveals God’s purpose for me. I find out what God wants me to do with my life by discovering how he shaped me. God will never force me to do his plan. I can waste my life. This is why so many people are so frustrated! They’re trying to be something somebody else wants them to be rather than what God wants them to be. My SHAPE equips me to serve God. God has a life mission for me that nobody else can do. If I’ve missed it so far, I can start today and make the rest of my life the best of my life. God will never ask me to do anything in life that he hasn’t already given me the ability to do. My SHAPE prepares me for a life in heaven. As a follower of Jesus, this life is preparation for the next life in heaven. This life is a test to see what you will do with what you’ve been given on Earth. Based on that, God will determine what he gives to do in heaven for eternity. My SHAPE shows God’s glory. When I use my SHAPE and do what God made me to do, it not only feels good, but it also makes God smile.
God gave me my particular SHAPE. I need to take time to discover and live in it. My SHAPE will help me understand God’s purpose for me, serve Him effectively, prepare me for life in heaven, and show God’s glory!
Lord, I need you. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can believe in, have faith and to trust you in everything including being the authority for my life, my self-worth and my future. You have my best interests in mind. Help me to continue to discover my SHAPE so that I can fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my preparation for a future job role and for leading a small group. I ask these things through you Son Jesus’ name, amen.
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