Fashioned Hearts

It’s easy to feel lonely and insignificant in a world full of people. Or in a church full of people. But God’s children never need to feel either. The Lord not only knows you specifically, He personally “fashioned” your heart. Consider this (Psalm 33:13-15; NKJV):

• The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
• From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth;
• He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.

The word fashion in verse 15 is “yatsar” in Hebrew. It speaks of how a potter works clay and has the idea of forming, molding, planning, making, framing or shaping for a predetermined or preordained purpose. In other words, it is the picture of something being made or built in a special way for a particular reason.

A while back I built my son a bed. Before the bed was ever made, I pictured it in my mind. I formed it’s image and purpose in my head; then I designed it on paper and devised a plan on how to build it. I went to the lumber store and purchased the wood, hardware and materials. I gathered up the tools I needed.

Then step by step, I followed my predetermined plan and referencing the mental image of the bed I had predetermined. I created a custom piece of furniture to be used for the specific purpose of giving my son a place to sleep. It’s still being used for exactly that purpose.

It will never be a chest of drawers. It’s not a kitchen cabinet. It’s not a deck or a bookshelf. It’s a bed. It was preconceived as a bed; designed as a bed; built to be a bed and only fulfills it’s role when it is used as a bed. It’s a bed; and it doesn’t ever have to be jealous or sad because it’s not a couch.

My point is this…. I don’t have to look at the president of the company and be bothered that I’m not a “president” type of person. I don’t have to look at the best singer in church and feel inadequate because I wasn’t fashioned by God to be a great singer. I don’t have to feel insignificant when I hear a great preacher or speaker just because the Lord didn’t form me into the 21st century Jonathan Edwards.

God made me for a specific purpose. He fashioned my heart for a reason, for a particular use and for a specific role in His Great Plan. How do I know what that purpose is? I may not know exactly and specifically until I meet the Lord face to face. He reveals it to different people in different ways at different times in different degrees. But one thing I know…

I can be sure that I am heading towards, and eventually
fulfilling what I was “fashioned” for when I am listening to and
communicating with God consistently and sincerely
through prayer and Bible study; and responding in obedience.

Maybe you have felt like (or currently feel like) you aren’t sure why God “fashioned” you, or what specific role the Lord has for you in His Kingdom. I am often asked how you go about discovering that. The answer is…. it’s a journey; a life-long journey of discovery that unfolds exactly the way our Sovereign Lord determines.

It’s the FACT that matters, not so much the knowing.

What do I mean by that? For the Christian, we have the security, the comfort, and the contentment of knowing for an absolute fact that God fashioned each of us for a specific purpose. If we turn to God, listen to God, obey God and fellowship with God… that purpose will be unfolded, revealed and played out over the course of our life.

Few people come to a point in their life (at least not until they reach an old age) where they realize a clear and defined “mission in life” in the way that a Preacher or missionary might. Very few people discover their “destiny” early in life with the same clarity as say Tiger Woods, Billy Graham or Rush Limbaugh. I’m not even convinced to any degree that it’s necessary, or beneficial, for every person (or most people) to have one “thing” as a life long pursuit (excepting knowing God!). I think for most people, they LOOK BACK at their life when it’s almost over, and only then see the purpose, reason and destiny for which God fashioned them.

Regardless, I can rest assured that God individually fashioned me for a specific purpose that only I can fulfill. He made ME (and you!) to accomplish something very unique in the Kingdom.

God fashioned my “heart” to be exactly perfect for
some task or mission He needs me to complete.

For some, that task is crystal clear. For others, the mission is an ongoing process of discovery that may not come into complete focus until we meet Jesus face to face. But either way, we can ALL be sure that…

• The Lord sees us from heaven;
• He sees all people in all times in all places;
• He formed the heart of each person individually;
• He made you for a particular use; a specific role; a personalized mission.

Your duty now is to be available for that use; to be listening to God for instructions and direction; and to live in faith and trust that God’s individual design for you will be fulfilled, even if you aren’t sure what it is or see the big picture.

Christians alone are the ONLY people on earth who can be assured that they are unique, special and needed… no matter what their status, income, talents or circumstance. God planned, designed and determined your purpose in life, and then reached down and personally fashioned your heart for the ordained work.

Wow.

Lord, Help m to live with purpose, knowing that You fashioned me individually for a very specific use. Help me to never want to be someone else; but live a life discovering the special reason You formed and planned my life; exactly perfect and fully equipped to do my unique work in the Kingdom. In Jesus Name, Amen.