Crafted by the Creator
By Jill Newman
“I’m trying to become more like Christ, but I feel like I’m losing my own identity. How can I be more like Jesus, but still be me?”
Maybe you’ve felt this way before. It’s pretty obvious looking at creation that God loves variety. Even within mankind, there are as many differences as there are people. Even so-called identical twins have subtle genetic differences between them.
So, if you feel like you are losing your personal identity as you follow Christ, perhaps you’re trying to be something that God never intended you to be. Are you trying to squeeze your loud and outgoing personality into something quiet and reserved because you think that’s what a Christian is supposed to look like? Or vice versa? Or are you serving in an area you don’t like or aren’t gifted in because you think that’s what God expects of a good Christian?
In short, are you trying to become what you think God wants you to be and working solely under your own willpower, strength and knowledge to do it?
While all believers should be striving to be more like Christ, that doesn’t mean we will all look the same as we journey that path. 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that the body of Christ, His church, is made up of a lot of unique individuals having many different gifts and talents. As we grow in Christ, the same fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control) grows more and more in each one of us, but shines differently through our unique personalities.
The true stories of two different houses may help. In 1918, a talented contractor built a beautiful craftsman home in a quiet part of Tacoma. It was the gem of the neighborhood. But over time, things began to change. By the late 1990’s, it was obvious that this now-abandoned house had seen its share of hard times. The once beautiful landscaping had taken over much of the front of the house, hiding the damaged siding and peeling paint, while the back had been nearly destroyed by a fire in the kitchen. No longer the gem, it was now the eyesore of the neighborhood.
But one day in 1998, this dilapidated house caught the eye of a master craftsman. Seeing its potential, he bought it and began to lovingly restore it back to its original beauty. Piece by piece, he removed the broken and damaged parts, keeping only those things that could be restored perfectly. The rest he replaced with only the very best quality materials. He took his time, not rushing the process. Eventually, his careful work began to pay off as neighbors began to notice the changes. It would have been much easier to tear it down and rebuild something new, but instead he kept the natural beauty and character of the home, eventually restoring it back to its original design.
Time passed and another, badly damaged home sat sadly in its own state of distress. Built in 1989 in the small community of Puyallup, time had not been kind to this home either. But in 2014, it caught the eye of a businessman. Although he had no experience restoring homes, he felt he was up to the challenge. After briefly examining the damage, he went to work, quickly removing some of the broken parts. Other damaged sections were not removed but easily covered up with a thick coat of paint. Using the cheapest materials he could find and his inexperienced friends to help with the job, he worked quickly to finish the home and put it on the market to sell. He cared nothing at all about restoring the home’s original quality, character and design, but only making sure it looked good to the casual observer.
This story ends with both houses being renovated. But, only one of them, the one bought by the master craftsman, was truly restored. In the same way, the Lord desires to lovingly restore us to the original design He created. He takes away the broken, sinful and damaged parts, and replaces them with His very best. He takes His time, keeping the unique qualities, gifts, talents, beauty and character He designed in us, and makes us better versions of the special creation He designed us to be. Our Master Craftsman doesn’t make cookie-cutter creations, but restores wonderfully unique people that each reveal different aspects of His image.
The home remodeled by the businessman, on the other hand, is an example of how we, as amateurs, try to change ourselves into something that looks good to others without seeking God’s help. We work too quickly, covering up those sins we don’t want to deal with, using cheap tools and materials like self-help books and the inexpert advice of well-meaning friends. We work by our own strength, using only willpower which has no lasting power to exact real change. We may look good on the outside, but eventually something breaks and we need real help.
God doesn’t ask for our ability to change, but our availability to allow God to work in us and with us for change. Romans 12:1 tells us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
It’s not that we just sit back and let God work; He requires our participation with Him. 2 Peter 1:5-8 reminds us to “give all diligence to add to your faith virtue…” as well as knowledge, self-control, perseverance, etc. We make ourselves available to be changed, then work alongside Him with His guidance and strength. And the changes He makes will look different for each of us because, though we are all made in His image, we are all perfectly unique.
I love how writer, Faith Hanan, puts it in her blog: “The more I let Jesus heal my heart and cleanse me from anything that is not pleasing to Him, the more myself I actually become. I am still funny; I am still fun. I still lead courageously and boldly. I am MORE myself than I was 10 years ago because I’m growing into exactly who God created me to be — a life giver, a warrior, an encourager and a woman who fiercely loves those around her. And this, this, is freeing.”
REFLECT
Read Romans 12 all the way through twice. Note the differences in the gifts we are given. What things does Paul encourage all Christians to do? Write down anything that stands out to you.
What do you think it means to “present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord”? Write down what you think and attempt to use other scripture to support your thoughts.
Read 2 Peter 1:3-11 twice. How does Peter describe the participation of the believer in faith? What stands out to you from this passage? Write it down.
Spend some time in prayer, asking the Lord to show you those things He is calling you to change, and for His help to do it, knowing that His desire is to restore you to the unique person He created.