So God created man in His own image;  He created him in the image of God, He created them male and female.  Genesis 1:27  HCSB

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.  If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words;  if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus  Christ in everything.  To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever.  Amen.   1 Peter 4:10-11 HCSB.

I have never professed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer.  I will freely admit that it took me years to figure out what I am about to share with you.  It took me a long time to figure out why I am really here.  Let me explain.

You see, I was born to parents who had two children already.  Their two daughters were 13 and 11 years old.  Now as I got older, I realized that they certainly did not intend to have another child that late in the game.  Now I used to say that I was a mistake.  My mom never cared for that term, but I later found out that they thought I was the flu that just wouldn’t go away.  Turns out, it was just me.  Now my mom and dad tried to convince me that they decided to give it one more try for a boy, but I knew that wasn’t the case.  So, I have always said that I was a mistake.  But then I realized that God doesn’t make mistakes.  I realized that I must be here for some purpose. But I must admit that it took me a while to figure out my purpose here.

Our first scripture says that we are all made in God’s image.  So even though I was not the male child that my parents hoped for, I was made in God’s image.   We are made to imitate Christ.  We are told in Ephesians 5:1-4 that we are to be imitators of God.  We are told that we are to behave as though we are dearly loved children.  We are told to walk in love.  We are also told that sexual immorality, impurity and greed should not even be heard of among us.  We are told that we are to behave as is proper for the saints.  We are told that crude joking and foolish talking are unacceptable.  Our mouths are to be used for giving thanks. Paul told the Corinthians, in 1 Corinthians 11:1 that they should imitate him as he imitates Christ. Hmm, how are you doing with that?

Our second scripture passage tells us that we all have been given gifts and that we should use those gifts to glorify God.  It also talks about our mouths and tells us that we should speak as one who speaks God’s words.  It tells us that whatever we do, we should glorify God.

My problem is that I lived many years trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.  Now we have all seen those toys made for young children where there are blocks in various shapes and there is this ball that has each of these shapes cut out.  Now we know that if the child attempts to insert a shape into a hole cut for another shape that it just doesn’t work.

The same holds true when a Christian tries to “fit in” in the world.  When we try to laugh at the dirty jokes or perhaps even tell a few ourselves it doesn’t work.  Oh you may get plenty of laughs, but you just made God cry.  When we use foul language and take the Lord’s name in vain it may make you feel better, but we have grieved the Holy Spirit.  We are told in Ephesians 4:30 that we are not to grieve the Holy Spirit.  We are told in 1Thessalonians 5:19 that we are not to quench the Spirit.  In Isaiah 63:10 we are told that when they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit that He turned to be their enemy and that He, Himself fought against them.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want God fighting against me so I now strive not to grieve His Holy Spirit.

We were made to live in harmony with God.  Remember Adam and Eve?  Remember how everything was just lovely in the Garden of Eden until they fell into sin?  Well, I have noticed that my life goes pretty well until I fall into sin.  My life goes well when I live the way God intended, in close fellowship with Him.

Are you trying to fit a square peg into a round hole?  If so, you can sit there and fight with that until Christ comes back, but it’s never gonna work.  We were made to love God.  We were made to live in close fellowship with Him.  We were made to use our gifts to bring Him glory.  If you are not doing what you were made to do, then it’s just not going to work.

Let’s face it, we don’t grab a spoon to cut a steak, right?  Of course not, it’s not the right tool.  As Christians, when we try to live in the same way as the world, it just doesn’t work. If you are using your life to do what you want to do and are miserable, well this is why.  Stop trying to force that square peg into that round hole.  Use your life for what God made you for.  Then you will be able to see God use you in ways you never imagined.  You will also receive some really cool perks, like peace that passes understanding and unending joy.

Have a great day!