“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” (Romans 6:11-12 NIV)

Recently I hear a pastor tell the story of being at his construction job, and a group of four free-ranging chickens were bothering him. They were underfoot, talking to him, and even leaving messes near his tools. He spoke of becoming more and more frustrated with these annoying chickens, until he finally heard God telling him that they were just being who God had created them to be – chickens. They were fantastic at eating bugs, efficient at creating eggs, and, while somewhat dirty, overall entertaining. With a humbled heart, the pastor concluded that chickens had to be chickens, and we are supposed to be who God created us to be. We were created to live in relationship with God – in Christ. When we live out this reality, the rest of the world sees God’s love and grace in and through us.

Paul wrote to the people of Thessalonica: “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 NIV) He reminds them that God created and chose them. Then he commends them for their labors of love and their endurance, because of their faith evidenced by words and the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives. He praises them for fully living who God created them to be.

The phrase “Who God Created Me to Be” can be fraught with theological and spiritual peril. Some people want to do whatever they want to do, claiming that (no matter how sinful) “God made me this way.” We were created perfectly in the image of God, but our sinful natures continually fight that perfection. One might say, “I am following my heart!” but God’s Word warns us that our heart is deceitful. The ongoing invitation to Jesus-followers is to be who we are in Christ – led by Holy Spirit, not our own sinful desires, and living as children of God. Just as chickens should be chickens, we should be Sons and Daughters of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the Universe. We should be continually striving away from our sinful, fallen natures and toward Spirit-led perfection in Christ.

The reward for all this striving? A full understanding of God’s love for us and the fulfillment of God’s call to be Light in the world. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV). God loves those chickens, but we humans are loved in a way totally beyond how God loves his other creatures. God sent his Son to die for OUR sins. That is LOVE. Our call is to live out that Love and be Light for the people around us.

Abba Father,

Thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and your call on our lives to be Love and Light for those around us. Help us fully live out who YOU created us to be, not what the world or our flesh wants for our lives. Help us to be led by Holy Spirit into the Abundant Life you call us to, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.

“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NIV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NASB)

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)

“I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” (Romans 7:25 NIV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV)

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” (Romans 8:13-15 NIV)