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Blog
Finding Your Function
Written by Michelle Guzmán, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado Springs, CO
"Form follows function" is one of the best-known concepts in the world of architectural design created by the famous Louis Sullivan (1856–1924). This principle establishes that the shape of a building or object must be completely related to the use, function, or purpose that this building or object will have. This principle or law was applied in its beginnings in the growing cities of Boston and New York when the number of people was greater than space. To solve this situation was to build vertically. The great skyscrapers we see today originated from the Sullivan principle.
New generations of designers have invented a new concept "Function follows Form" based on the principle of creativity and innovation. What this principle means is that the designer of a building can have freedom to create its shape without limits and the function will then adapt to the space created. An example of this is the Walt Disney Concert Hall building in Los Angeles, California designed by Frank Gehry (1999-2003).
What am I made for? Is my form following my function or my function following my form?
Am I made to carry out my function? Or, does my role depend on who I am?
The Bible is clear in telling us the many gifts and functions within the Body of Christ that we have to help build. But, how do I know what my gift is or what my part is within the Body of Christ?
How many times have you been stressed having to finish a task because you are very concerned about what people will think of you? How many times have you committed to more than what you can do in the month because you want to gain acceptance from people in your church or in your group of friends? Have you sought your value in the things you do in order to feel good?
1. God Created You with a Plan in Mind.
In Genesis 1:27-28 we clearly find God's intention when making us:
“So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” Then Genesis continues telling us the blessings that He has given us as provisions so that we can enjoy our stay on this earth.
2. Being Before Doing.
The first purpose of God for each one of us before “DOING” something is “BEING”.
If we want to find our purpose we must first find out who we are. We are women made in the image of God. And what does this mean? Sometimes we become obsessed with looking for what to do without first looking for who we are. We focus on being daughters, sisters, students, housewives, moms, wives, workers, church members, volunteers, but we forget that in order to know our role we first have to remember who we are. According to God’s word we are His workmanship, formed in our mother's womb with His own hands.
Jeremiah talks about his calling before he was born, but at the same time this passage teaches us again that before "DOING" one must "BE." The Lord makes three clarifications to Jeremiah in the first chapter of the book of Jeremiah: “You are chosen before you are formed. You are set apart before you are born. And you have a name to be and then do.”
“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘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.” (Jer. 1:4-5)
This also applies to you and me. As a woman, you were chosen before being formed, you were set apart before you were born, you were called a woman so that you could be first and then do. You are a divine creation of God, created with a perfect plan that only applies to you and nobody else, because you belong to Him. He loves you for what you are, not for what you do. Your name is daughter and creature of God, Woman.
3. Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works.
In Ephesians 2:10, we have a very clear vision of what we were created for, but again, this chapter teaches us that before we think about the what, we must remember who we are: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Our wonderful functions were planned first to serve Him and second to belong. He stated beforehand that everything we do must be good works, so our second task after understanding who we are in Christ Jesus is to make sure that everything we “do” is good, and that it is what He planned for us.
By reading our Bible daily, seeking the Lord in prayer, saying good things to God, and praising Him with our words day and night, we develop an intimate relationship with Him that no one can break. He becomes the center of our actions and we can sit in the midst of His presence to talk with Him so that He can tell us how He made us and what He wants us to do. Our gifts and functions align with the desires of God's heart when we make ourselves available to Him in order to serve others every day.
Our function follows the form; how we were made, by Whom we were made, and His plan for our lives determines the function that we will carry out within the Body of Christ to lead a daily life of praise to God in community. Enjoy who you are according to God's plan so that what you do fills your heart and God’s heart. Are you ready for the "Be" before "Doing" challenge?
Love God, Love Others
Written by Kara Benson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Little Rock, Arkansas
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Luke 10:27
What does it mean to love God?
A few elements come to mind...
Obedience. “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me” (John 14:21). If we love the Lord, we will obey him. 1 John 4:18 teaches us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Why? The second half of the verse answers, “because fear has to do with punishment.” If we are living in obedience to God, we have no reason to fear! We don’t have to be afraid of impending judgment for our repented sins or agonize over our future inevitable errors because God sent his Son to take our place. God’s perfect love provided a way to drive out our fear. We can rest assuredly and live confidently in the peace of a right relationship with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. And if we truly love God, then we will want to obey him – not from fear of punishment, but from the heart.
Pursuit. “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands” (Ps. 119:10). There is a difference between having warm feelings for someone and being madly in love. When we are in love with someone, we will stay up late to talk with them, think of them throughout the day, and set aside special time to spend with them. We delight in learning details about them, miss them when we are apart, and eagerly anticipate being reunited. Psalm 63:1 says, “Earnestly I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Is this our attitude about spending time with our Lord?
Overflow. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt. 5:14). When you love someone deeply, others notice. Your love for that person is so great, it often overflows into everyday conversation. Grandmas love sharing photos of their grandkids. Engaged couples often begin sentences with, “My fiancée...” New parents can’t seem to stop talking about their kids. “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Do others see and hear evidence of our love for God?
What does it mean to love others?
The world asserts that to love someone means you must accept or approve of everything they believe or do. However, true love is seeking the best interest of someone else, as we see in Philippians 2. We love others by serving, comforting, encouraging, and challenging them to grow. If we see someone in sin without trying to help, how can we say we truly love them? James 5:19-20 states, “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” Putting someone’s long-term good above our own temporary comfort is an act of love; their eternal soul is more important than forgoing an awkward conversation or keeping a superficial peace.
Love is patient, kind, and forgiving. This can be hard. This is where we can easily mess up. If we are not patient, kind, and forgiving in our communication, then our message is ruined. May the Lord give us wisdom to discern the right timing and the right words. Our heart must be right. We must be honest and willing to confess our own sins as well. Looking back, I am thankful for those who have loved me enough to show me what I needed to change.
Our love matters. Galatians 6:10 teaches, “do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” While we are called to be slaves to all (1 Cor. 9:19, Mk. 10:44), we have a special calling to love and serve our family in Christ. Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” I absolutely love this verse! Every time we help someone, every time we serve... God sees. God knows. God remembers. Sisters, it’s all worth it! Our love matters.
When we love God and love others, we are fulfilling the first and second greatest commandments. How are you showing a love for God and a love for others, especially His people, in your daily life?
