“They have made no distinction between the holy and the common,” Ezekiel 22:26
I love the way that the translation of this verse defines holy. According to this verse, and many others, for something to be holy then it is uncommon. Now, that’s not to say that things that are holy are not plentiful. Oil is plentiful, but anointing oil is holy because it has been set aside for a special purpose.
While I have many tools in my kitchen that have the ability to peel and mince garlic, I only have one garlic press. And that garlic press was made for that one specific purpose of peeling and mincing garlic. It wasn’t created to do anything else. It doesn’t slice tomatoes, it doesn’t peel apples, it just minces garlic. Period. On the other hand, if I were so inclined I could use my garlic press to mash potatoes, very slowly. Or I could use it to squeeze juice from grapes, if I realllly wanted to. And it would do a fine job at both of those things, but those jobs aren’t what the garlic press was made to do. It was made to mince garlic.
That is the definition of holy. While the holy thing may be able to perform several tasks, it was created for one or maybe two specific tasks. And while other things may be able to do what it does, not all of them were created to perform that specific function.
There is a distinction that has been made between my garlic press and my other kitchen tools. There’s a distinction because there’s a difference between them. My garlic press may be able to perform the tasks of other tools but not as well. Likewise, the other tools may be able to press garlic but not as well as my garlic press.
My point is this; YOU were made to perform a specific function. You have been proclaimed holy to the LORD. He has set you aside to perform a certain task because He CREATED YOU to be able to do that task better than anyone else around. There is only ONE you. And while others may be able to do what you were created to do, NO ONE can do it as well as you can. And while you can perform the steps required to do what someone else was meant to do, you can’t do it as well as they can.
You were created for a purpose. God doesn’t make mistakes, He makes miracles. He doesn’t have accidents, so you can’t be one. He is GOD, your creator. And no matter what the commercials, or other people, or even the mirror says, you have been fearfully and wonderfully made for a reason. And the reason for which you were created, the task you were created to perform, you will be able to perform it PERFECTLY according to HIS plan. Even if you don’t think you’re doing the job you were created to do, you are.
Judas was created for a purpose. No, it wasn’t a pretty purpose, but look at the benefit WE all reaped from his actions! Joseph’s brothers were created for a purpose. While their jealousy was murderous and vile, it served a purpose in the grand scheme of things. What they planned for evil, God planned for good. (Genesis 50:15-21) Their jealousy led Joseph to Egypt, saving an entire nation filled with lives. It also led to the Hebrew nation moving to Egypt where they were enslaved and subsequently delivered in the most miraculous way possible. Imagine that. If Joseph’s brothers hadn’t sold him to the Ishmaelites the Red Sea might never had been parted. And honestly, what a loss that would have been for all of us.
Sure. We’ve all made mistakes in life, done horrible things that have hurt people dreadfully. Does that mean that it is then impossible for us to fulfill our calling in life? Well, here’s a thought, what if that IS our calling in life? We’re so quick to judge the actions of Judas, yet where would WE be if he hadn’t given Jesus that kiss of death? Honestly I shudder at the thought.
Am I saying that we should all go out there and do despicable acts just for the fun of it? NO! OF COURSE NOT! But what I am saying is that just because we have done despicable acts doesn’t make us unforgiveable. In fact, it puts us in the perfect place to receive God’s Grace!
I can’t tell you how many times people have said despicable things to me that have wounded me deeply. Yet looking back, it was those very wounds that created the perfect environment for me to grow and strengthen my faith and relationship with Christ making me who I am today and preparing me for the tasks ahead. My heart may be covered in scars, but those scars are part of who I am. Without them I just wouldn’t be the same person I am today. And while I would have loved to avoid all those injuries to my pride and my humility, if I hadn’t gone through those painful moments I might not be where I need to be right now. And that thought scares me.
Once upon a time I heard Joseph Prince say that you wouldn’t hit a baby for not being able to walk, yet we judge and condemn people for not living the Christian life perfectly. You wouldn’t yell at a boy for not having a mustache yet, but we jump all over people for not doing the Christian things we think they should be doing already.
And the really sad part is, for the longest time I thought that’s what God did too. Because, that’s what His people do. But God doesn’t do that at all.
One day I was talking to God about growing in the faith and the things that Joseph Prince had said and you know what the Holy Spirit told me? He said, “Do you have to work to grow taller?”
“No.”
“Does a tree have to try hard to grow?”
“No.”
“Does a flower have to read a lot of books to grow and bloom?”
“No.”
“Then why do you think you have to try hard and work to grow in faith? You grow because I do all the work for you. I create the proper environment for you to grow, in order for you to become precisely what I made you to be.”
Sometimes we need water or food, other times we need pruned and fertilized. Just because the pruning hurts doesn’t mean it isn’t from God or that it’s not good for us. Just because we got “dumped on” doesn’t mean that it won’t be a great environment for us to grow. God knows what is best for us and even if we don’t understand what He’s doing we can trust that it’s going to be good FOR us and others in the end.
I can guarantee you that the cross didn’t feel good at the time, but just look at the good it’s doing now! Jesus endured one day of pain for an eternity of benefits. Whatever pain that’s going on in your life, He will help you get through it and on the other side you will see that it will have worked out in some way for your good. Trust Him; He knows what He’s doing. Things seemed to work out pretty well for Jesus, so they should work out for you too don’t you think?
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30
“For You formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16
Tamar Knochel 