We are all one in Christ
- Michelle Wood: SWCD
- November 5, 2017
- 1071
A few months ago I went through a spiritual dry spell. The desire of my heart is to make a difference and deeply impact people by sharing the love of God in a way that will reach them at their core, to bring hope and healing to those who are in need.
When I don’t see the seeds I’m planting producing fruit I would like or I don’t hear from people what I’ve written has hit home with them, it can be hard on me. It is in those vulnerable times the devil tries to get me to doubt if I am making a difference or not, thus doubting if I am actually called to do what I am doing.
I know some people would receive the truths I’m sharing better if perhaps it wasn’t coming from me. During this dry spell I was talking to God in a rhetorical sense, asking questions but not truly seeking answers because I thought I already knew it.
I said something to this effect: “Father, I think you have called me to do what I am doing, but I think you called others first. I was not your first choice. I’m sure you called some man because people would listen to a man better than me, but he didn’t want to do it. I bet that’s how it is. I’m sure a man was your first choice.”
Because I felt strongly about this, I wasn’t looking for God to give me an answer back. He may have given me one then, but I wasn’t listening for a reply at that moment. I did get a reply weeks later though.
God impressed upon me I was wrong. He had called me to do what I am doing. I was not his second or third choice but his first choice. Why was I now allowing the fact that I am a woman to make me doubt his calling on my life?
God reminded me of times when I was a girl and young woman and I didn’t let the fact I was female stop me from playing whatever sport the boys were playing. If I didn’t let this deter me in the past, why was I letting it now? Why was I thinking that because I am a woman, I am somehow less called to do what I am doing?
God looks at our heart, not our outward appearance, like people may do (1 Samuel 16:7). If we have received Jesus, he sees Jesus in us, not the color of our skin, gender, age or anything else we could allow to hold us back or pull others down. He sees us as one in Christ, and he wants us to see ourselves and others the same way.
Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
All one in Christ, isn’t that a beautiful thing? God calls all types of people to do all kinds of things here on earth. He is not prejudice. He doesn’t just call certain types of people.
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
God reminded me of this verse that had been so important to me several years ago when I first felt the call of God on my life. And back then I substituted the word woman for youth because I saw my gender could be a hindrance to me in the eyes of some people.
The meaning behind this verse is not every time someone despises me I tell them they can’t or that I go around demanding the respect of people. People will still judge based on our outward appearance, but God wants us to brush that off instead of allowing it to settle on our shoulders, becoming a bitter, heavy chip of offense we carry around with us wherever we go.
It is saying to do what God has called you to do and allow the fruit your life produces to do the talking for you. Do not allow yourself to cross over into the realm of victimization, rather see yourself as more than a conqueror through him.
I had to think back to when I was a girl. I didn’t see myself as a victim, telling the boys they had to respect me. I just played the game and earned their respect. Let how you live your life do your talking for you.
What about you? Is God calling you to do something but you have let what others think or how you see yourself keep you from fulfilling that calling? Brush those chips off your shoulder and keep your eyes on the prize, which is Jesus. He has equipped us all.
Amber can be reached at amberdeemiller32@gmail.com or through her Facebook page.