Bred for Success: God’s Design

Bred for Success: God's Design

I had done my homework in researching breeds (I wanted something more protective than our aging Lab.), so I was only mildly concerned when our vet tech said, “From retrievers to a Belgian Mal? Brave girl!”

That concern grew when my husband’s co-worker sent him pictures of Mals wreaking havoc in a million different ways. My personal favorite is the full-grown Mal sitting proudly among the meteor-shower-hit-the-earth craters he had dug in the backyard.

Yet, for every destructive video—and there are plenty—there are stories of their protective instincts for the family they love.

God designed Belgian Mals. He also designed retrievers. Each serves a specific purpose in God’s creation. I see the same intentional design in His human creatures.

I love retrievers. We’ve had three.  Spiritually, they remind me of Jesus’ mother. Pure. Trusting. Obedient. Though worthy of imitation, Mary’s an alien to me. It took years before I trusted God as Father and truly believed in His love for me.

Peter? Paul? I get those guys. I, too, am strong-willed, opinionated, and given to extremes. I’m also fiercely loyal. To my children. To my husband. To my God. There is more Belgian Mal in me than I like to admit.

As I have learned to trust God, my obedience has improved. My husband teases me that I’m compliant. That compliance has come with training. Too many lessons came the hard way. My design, though, has never changed.

So, what’s your design? How has God bred you for success?

  1. What qualities did God give you? What talents and abilities did He gift you with? Have you ever taken the StrengthsFinder Test? (It runs about $20, but it’s money well spent.)
  2. How about spiritual gifts? (Click for Lifeway’s test.)
  3. What natural likes and dislikes do you have? With whom do you identify in the Bible? What Bible figure captures you?

Now, look where He’s placed you. Does it fit? Why or why not? Don’t train for retriever work if you’re a shepherd. Jeremiah recorded his calling in Jeremiah 1: 4-5 (NIV), “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Pray first, then fill in the blank: “I appointed you as a _____________________.”

Nail your spiritual workouts and change your corner of the gym.

Just for fun: What breed are you?

Workout of the Week: Bred for Success

Memory Verse: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

Meditation Passage: Psalm 139

Just Do It: Embrace your design.

Tweetables:

God designed Belgian Mals for a specific purpose. I see the same intentional design in His human creatures. Click To Tweet

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