Created, Called, Carried
Land o’ Goshen, Butterbean, come on up here and mind that there flowerpot. A chipmunk has been ‘a‑hidin’ peanuts in it like he is ‘a‑preparin’ for the end times, and he might be ‘a-poppin’ out fussin’ at you. Pull up a chair and sit a lil’ ol’ spell. I was just ‘a‑watchin’ a squirrel ‘a‑tryin’ to haul off a corncob twice its size, bless its ambitious lil’ heart. It kept tippin’ over like a cow on roller skates, and I thought, “Ain’t that just like us, a‑tryin’ to prove our worth by carryin’ more than God ever asked us to.”
Ephesians 2:10 says we are “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works He already prepared.” That there means your worth was settled long before anybody clapped, criticized, or clicked “unfriend.” Your worth was carved into you by the same God who done made galaxies, hummingbirds, and armadillos that still cannot cross a road right.
Back when I first started college as a freshman a‑majorin’ in radiology, ‘a‑thinkin’ I was headin’ right on into a life of helpin’ sick folks. I wanted to be ‘a‑readin’ scans and ‘a‑spotin’ what was wrong so folks could get healed proper. But right in the middle of all that there chemistry and ‘a‑memorzin’ bones, God done started ‘a‑nudgin’ me toward the mission field. I said, “Lord, I feel like You’re ‘a-wantin’ me to be ‘a‑teachin’ and ‘a‑helpin’ folks come to faith in Christ, but I don’t want to be ‘a‑usin’ ministry to feel important.” And through ‘a-readin’ my Bible one evening, the Lord done nudged my heart to realize that He done made me. He done knew my heart’s desire, and I was ‘a-needin’ to put them there reins of my life right into His hands.
That there’s when Philippians 2:13 came alive ‘a-sayin’ to me, “God Himself is ‘a‑workin’ in us to will and to act accordin’ to His good purpose.” I done commenced to realize that my callin’ was not about my abilities or insecurities. It was done about His power to be ‘a‑shapin’ my desires and ‘a-guidin’ my steps.
Buttercup, you gotta be ‘a-hearin’ this deep down in your bones. Your worth just ain’t based on your boss’s mood, your spouse’s comments, your looks, your parents’ expectations, your friends’ approval, your social media likes, or your performance. Your worth was done set when God created you in His Own image, and it was done confirmed when Christ went an’ died for you. Your worth ain’t on the votin’ ballot no more.
You gotta stop ‘a‑livin’ like every conversation is an election. That there is real exhaustin’, and it is a doggon, bald‑faced lie. You belong to the One who done paid for you with His Own Son’s blood. That there done settles it all. Period!
Father, thank You for ‘a‑makin’ me, ‘a‑lovin’ me, and ‘a‑callin’ me. Help me stop ‘a‑seekin’ worth in others and start ‘a‑restin’ in the truth that I am Yours. Be ‘a‑shapin’ me to be ‘a‑walkin’ in them good works You done prepared. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, Butterbean, that ought’a give your lil’ ol’ heart somethin’ sho’‑nuff worth chewin’ on longer than an ol’ mule ‘a‑workin’ his way through a bucket of sweet feed. Now go on out there and be ‘a‑walkin’ like someone who done knows their worth is ‘a‑comin’ from Jesus Himself. He done made you! He done sho’‑nuff loves you, and He’s done ‘a‑leadn’ you right to the place where you need to be ‘a‑bringin’ Him glory!
With joy,
Gwen
