Discover Your Design
"I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Ps. 139:14.

Joel, a graphic artist during the week, knows how to have a good time on
Friday nights. He and several other Christians patrol an urban neighborhood
on foot. Late into the night, they help, pray for and witness to runaway teens,
drug users, homeless people and others.

Among his fellow "street servants," Joel most admired Randy. With street
smarts and a gregarious personality, Randy was a bold evangelist. Joel was
none of these things, but he cared deeply about the people. So, week by week
with gutsy determination, Joel learned the jargon and ways of the street.
Although a born introvert, he pushed himself to be more outgoing like Randy.

On the outside Joel appeared to be succeeding, but his emotions told another
story. Every Friday his stomach knotted up and wouldn't relax until
Saturday afternoon. Finally, to keep his sanity, Joel stayed home one Friday.
And the next Friday. And the next. Although relieved, Joel felt disappointed and
guilt-ridden.

One Friday a month later, Joel checked his mailbox and found a pink envelope
from some friends who were expecting a baby. Inside was a large paper
snowflake bearing this announcement:
As God designs each snowflake,
so He created our precious daughter,
Kristy Irene, born on February 10th.
"For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because
I am fearfully and wonderfully made,
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well" Ps. 139:13-14.

Upon reading this, a thought grabbed Joel's mind and wouldn't let go: If you
are uniquely designed by God, WHY ARE YOU KILLING YOURSELF TRYING TO BE LIKE RANDY?

For the next two hours, Joel wrestled with this question. He read Psalm 139.
He wept. He prayed. He laughed as the Holy Spirit gave him insights. Finally,
he wrote in his prayer journal: "Dear Father, I admire the gifts You've given
Randy, but I don't have to be Randy, because You didn't make us with a
cookie cutter. Help me be satisfied to serve You according to the way You
designed me."

Later that night, Joel arrived on the streets carrying a pencil and a small
drawing pad. As Randy chatted with a mini-skirted drug addict, Joel quietly
sketched. After a while, he handed the girl a favorable portrait of herself,
with this added notation: "What God makes is wonderful!"

Randy and Joel continued this way for hours. A few people tossed their
portrait in the gutter. Many said, "Thank you!" Others asked what the verse
meant. Several wept and asked to learn more about their Creator. Randy
mostly talked. Joel mostly sketched and prayed. Never had he felt so calm and
relaxed, for he had discovered his Joel-shaped role in God's mission.

1. Do you love your role in God's mission, or do you tolerate it? What
   blessings might come from a role that matches how God designed you?
2. What do 1 Pet. 4:10-11 and Rom. 12:3-8 add to your understanding of this
   subject?
3. What might be your you-shaped role in God's mission?
4. What might be the you-shaped roles of your Christian friends?
5. How else might someone use his/her artistic talent to witness about God's plan of salvation in Christ?