Created for Greatness

Before we begin today, be sure to take a LOOK or LISTEN to today's readings.

Today I want to spend some time in just the first reading.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you." Jeremiah 1:5 (NABRE)

I work with many women when it comes to their physical health and fitness. They struggle so much with self doubt and feeling worthy of love, worthy to have time to themselves, worthy to take care of themselves, worthy to have good things for themselves. Too many of them are getting swallowed up in a sea of self doubt and poor self worth. They don't believe they are made for more in this world. They don't believe that God wants them to live an amazing and abundant life!

God created and formed each and every one of us and he did so for a specific purpose! Our God does not make mistakes! Before we were born we were destined for greatness! Greatness is going to look different for each of us. To me greatness is finding God's purpose and living it out to the very best of our ability.

For some, greatness is being an amazing mother who raises phenomenal children of God. For others it may be running a big business, for some it may take place in teaching. We all have different gifts and talents and desires planted in us from God. Those gifts, talents and desires are clues God is giving us in order to see our purpose. They don't always make sense to us, so we must spend time in the Word and in prayer and be obedient to God.

I was always an athlete and I liked to talk and tell stories. I have a loud voice with low tone. How the heck do these come together to help me find my purpose? How will these lead me to do God's work and answer His call in my life?

These gifts, talents and desires have finally started making sense to me the last few years. I found the perfect job for me that is a combination of health and fitness, I get to lead others in their business and in their health and fitness life. I am able to share what I do through my personal story. My health and fitness business has also given me a platform to share Jesus and the Gospel.

My athletic ability and love of sports drove me to want to get back in shape and be fit. My love for talking and storytelling allows me to share what I am doing and inspire others. My voice (that I use to hate) is such a gift because it allows me to be heard and command people's attention when they hear it!

Even when we know that God created us and he created us for a purpose, we still doubt! Jeremiah doubted! He thought he was too young and couldn't speak well enough to go where God was sending him and deliver the message God wanted delivered.

"Alas, Sovereign LORD, " I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD." Jeremiah 1:6-8

When we obey God's call, he will equip us with everything we need to do His work. He will give us the words, He will show us who we are suppose to reach and where we are suppose to go. He will guide us and be with us every step of the way!

Each and every one of us matters. We are worthy! We are meant to do great things! We matter! God does not make mistakes. He created each and everyone of us for a purpose! It is time that we take care of our mind and body so we can "Go" and do what we are called to do. It is time we start listening to that call and trust in God to lead us.

Who is your family?

Happy Tuesday! I am so excited to be spending another day with you. Take a look or listen to today's readings.

I'm not going to lie, the Gospel reading today has always bothered me a little bit. I mean, here we see Jesus sitting amongst a crowd, and when He is told His mother and relatives are there to see him, he appears to dismiss them.

What I am growing and learning to discover is that Jesus wasn't diminishing who they were or His relationship with them, He was building us and our relationship up! Think about the mother who has more than one child. She doesn't love one less in order to love the other more, right? In my brain, this is what Jesus is doing here. He is not minimizing His relationship with them, he is just showing an increased love for us. He is building us up, not tearing them down.

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father

is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Matthew 12:49-50

Jesus is teaching us about so much in this short text. He is teaching us that real family is more than flesh and blood. He is telling us that the most important relationship we must have is with God. As we grow in our relationship with God, our other relationships can flourish! God is Love. God teaches us how to love. He teaches us faith, hope, mercy and grace. He teaches us about patience, integrity and compassion.

God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 1 John 4:16b

By doing God's will we are demonstrating that we know and love God. When we know and love God we enter into relationship with Jesus. We become part of a bigger family than just our parents, siblings, cousins and so on. We enter into our eternal family!

I pray you have a blessed Tuesday and that you Go out and love God and do His will and start living the amazing and abundant life He has for you!