The Way God Made Me

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds…The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Daniel 1:17,19-20

I am six feet four inches. I sometimes get asked, “Why are you so tall?”

The answer is simple: “That’s just the way God made me.”

Daniel could have said the same. He was a young man from Israel, taken captive to Babylon, far from home. After three years of training, the king found him and his friends ten times better than any other adviser. But what looked like a self-made success story was really God-given grace.

Our world loves self-made success stories. It tells us to prove ourselves and claims we are only worth what we accomplish. But your mind, your strength, your skills, and every open door in your life are gifts from God. Effort matters, but God is still the giver.

God’s greatest gift wasn’t a talent at all. It was his Son. Jesus lived and died to forgive every wrong we’ve done, including the pride and worry that come from trying to prove ourselves. Because of Jesus, God calls you his dear child, loved and forgiven. You don’t have to prove yourself to him.

Wherever God has placed you, you are free to serve others with the gifts he has given you. So use them today with gladness. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you were working for God.

And when people ask you why you are the way you are, answer them: “That’s just the way God made me!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gifts and abilities you have given me. Teach me to serve faithfully where you have placed me without forgetting that I belong to you. Amen.

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