#1 God Designed You

Funny Duck

He was trying to be something he was not created to be. He was fighting God’s design for him.

He was trying to be something he was not created to be. He was fighting God’s design for him.

My name is Gary Priddy, and the title of this talk is God Designed You.

My name is Gary Priddy, and the title of this talk is God Designed You.

You are a unique and special creation of God.

You are a unique and special creation of God.

Think of the ways you are unique

Think of the ways you are unique

You read every day.

You read every day.

You believe in continuous learning. You are extraordinary because you invest time to improve yourself and your knowledge. Other people may see you as a bookworm or a nerd, but that shouldn’t discouraged you to read. One day, you will do something great with all the knowledge you have accumulated.

1. You believe in continuous learning. You are extraordinary because you invest time to improve yourself and your knowledge. Other people may see you as a bookworm or a nerd, but that shouldn’t discouraged you to read. One day, you will do something great with all the knowledge you have accumulated.

You daydream and you dream big.

ii. You daydream and you dream big.

Most people are too busy to dream. You are extraordinary because you have dreams and aspirations. In fact, your dreams are so big that others see you as impractical and unrealistic. Some may even laugh at your dreams. But don’t let them stop you. You have a gift. Like Walt Disney and Steve Jobs, you have a vision that most others don’t have.

1. Most people are too busy to dream. You are extraordinary because you have dreams and aspirations. In fact, your dreams are so big that others see you as impractical and unrealistic. Some may even laugh at your dreams. But don’t let them stop you. You have a gift. Like Walt Disney and Steve Jobs, you have a vision that most others don’t have.

iii. You stop to think and reflect.

You stop to think and reflect.

1. While everyone is rushing their work to meet deadlines, you stop and understand the underlying problem. Your colleagues think you are slow, inefficient and overly cautious. But you are extraordinary because you don’t follow instructions blindly. You challenge status quo and find the best way to do your work.

While everyone is rushing their work to meet deadlines, you stop and understand the underlying problem. Your colleagues think you are slow, inefficient and overly cautious. But you are extraordinary because you don’t follow instructions blindly. You challenge status quo and find the best way to do your work.

You cry when you watch a touching movie or listen to a beautiful song.

iv. You cry when you watch a touching movie or listen to a beautiful song.

You have empathy. You understand how others feel. Others may think that you can’t handle your emotions well. But you are extraordinary because you let your emotions flow naturally and allow yourself to be touched by something beautiful.

1. You have empathy. You understand how others feel. Others may think that you can’t handle your emotions well. But you are extraordinary because you let your emotions flow naturally and allow yourself to be touched by something beautiful.

You help others without expecting anything in return.

v. You help others without expecting anything in return.

1. People think that you are silly to help others without asking anything in return. You are extraordinary because you don’t see everything in dollars and cents. You enjoy helping others and being kind. That makes you happy and feel good.

People think that you are silly to help others without asking anything in return. You are extraordinary because you don’t see everything in dollars and cents. You enjoy helping others and being kind. That makes you happy and feel good.

vi. You mediate in the morning.

You mediate in the morning.

1. You know your relationship with yourself is as important as your finance, career and relationships with others. So you practice yoga, mediate and say positive affirmations in the morning. Other people think you are weird. But don’t most successful people like Oprah Winfrey, Jack Canfield and Hugh Jackman take time to mediate in the morning?

You know your relationship with yourself is as important as your finance, career and relationships with others. So you practice yoga, mediate and say positive affirmations in the morning. Other people think you are weird. But don’t most successful people like Oprah Winfrey, Jack Canfield and Hugh Jackman take time to mediate in the morning?

You listen more than you speak.

vii. You listen more than you speak.

1. You choose to listen more than you speak, not because you are shy, quiet or boring. You have opinions, but you are open to other people’s opinions too and willing to understand where they are coming from. You are extraordinary because you listen attentively and are genuinely interested in learning more about others.

You choose to listen more than you speak, not because you are shy, quiet or boring. You have opinions, but you are open to other people’s opinions too and willing to understand where they are coming from. You are extraordinary because you listen attentively and are genuinely interested in learning more about others.

You embrace and love failure.

viii. You embrace and love failure.

1. Most people don’t like to fail. They rather be stagnant than risk failing. It’s not that you are a risk taker, careless or impulsive. You love failure because it tells you if you are on the right track. You are just testing to see what works and what doesn’t, so that you can decide what action to take next.

Most people don’t like to fail. They rather be stagnant than risk failing. It’s not that you are a risk taker, careless or impulsive. You love failure because it tells you if you are on the right track. You are just testing to see what works and what doesn’t, so that you can decide what action to take next.

ix. You are comfortable being alone.

You are comfortable being alone.

You are independent. You have no problem eating alone, watching movie alone and going holiday on your own. Other people may see you as loner or anti-social. But you are just confident and comfortable with yourself. You don’t need constant attention and validation from others.

1. You are independent. You have no problem eating alone, watching movie alone and going holiday on your own. Other people may see you as loner or anti-social. But you are just confident and comfortable with yourself. You don’t need constant attention and validation from others.

x. You don’t follow a strict routine.

You don’t follow a strict routine.

1. Although you have a to-do-list, you don’t follow it a 100%. You get bored with routines easily, so you shake things up once in a while. Others may think you lack of self-discipline and self-control. But you are extraordinary because your life is never boring. You are always finding new ways to spice up your life.

Although you have a to-do-list, you don’t follow it a 100%. You get bored with routines easily, so you shake things up once in a while. Others may think you lack of self-discipline and self-control. But you are extraordinary because your life is never boring. You are always finding new ways to spice up your life.

You let go of things that don’t work.

xi. You let go of things that don’t work.

People think you are a quitter because you give up too easily and lack of persistence. But in your mind, you are not giving up, you are just letting go of things that don’t work. Why continue to pursue something when you realize it won’t work for you or it’s not something that you want after all?

1. People think you are a quitter because you give up too easily and lack of persistence. But in your mind, you are not giving up, you are just letting go of things that don’t work. Why continue to pursue something when you realize it won’t work for you or it’s not something that you want after all?

You take care of yourself before others.

xii. You take care of yourself before others.

Sometimes, others mistake you as selfish, indifferent and uncaring. But you are extraordinary because you see the importance of taking care of yourself first. You know you have to serve your needs and not be a liability for others. You don’t depend on other people to take care of you.

1. Sometimes, others mistake you as selfish, indifferent and uncaring. But you are extraordinary because you see the importance of taking care of yourself first. You know you have to serve your needs and not be a liability for others. You don’t depend on other people to take care of you.

You never stop asking questions.

xiii. You never stop asking questions.

1. You are inquisitive and curious. You want to know how things work and you don’t take things at face value. Others may find you bothersome and irritating. But you are extraordinary because you care about the world. You don’t ask for the sake of asking. You ask to understand more about the world, so as to make it better and be more appreciative of it.

You are inquisitive and curious. You want to know how things work and you don’t take things at face value. Others may find you bothersome and irritating. But you are extraordinary because you care about the world. You don’t ask for the sake of asking. You ask to understand more about the world, so as to make it better and be more appreciative of it.

xiv. You seldom express anger in front of others.

You seldom express anger in front of others.

Sure, you get angry and irritated by people and things around you sometimes. But you hardly express anger because you are compassionate. You know it doesn’t feel good to be on the receiving end of someone else’s anger. Others may see you as a pushover or weak. However, you know the value of harmony, so you make the effort to preserve it.

1. Sure, you get angry and irritated by people and things around you sometimes. But you hardly express anger because you are compassionate. You know it doesn’t feel good to be on the receiving end of someone else’s anger. Others may see you as a pushover or weak. However, you know the value of harmony, so you make the effort to preserve it.

xv. You are positive and see beauty in everything.

You are positive and see beauty in everything.

1. You are easily inspired by others and the things around you. Others think you are overly positive and optimistic. But you are extraordinary because you believe there’s goodness in everyone. Although you know that there is always room for improvement, but you would rather focus on the positives and be happy, instead of dwelling on the negatives.

You are easily inspired by others and the things around you. Others think you are overly positive and optimistic. But you are extraordinary because you believe there’s goodness in everyone. Although you know that there is always room for improvement, but you would rather focus on the positives and be happy, instead of dwelling on the negatives.

You consult your heart when making decision.

xvi. You consult your heart when making decision.

1. You know that something doesn’t feel right if your heart isn’t consulted when making decisions. Others see you are as unintelligent or too emotional. But you know that your heart is as important as your mind when it comes to decision-making. Both of them need to be in agreement, otherwise you won’t feel committed to take action.

You know that something doesn’t feel right if your heart isn’t consulted when making decisions. Others see you are as unintelligent or too emotional. But you know that your heart is as important as your mind when it comes to decision-making. Both of them need to be in agreement, otherwise you won’t feel committed to take action.

You allow yourself to do what you love.

xvii. You allow yourself to do what you love.

1. You are extraordinary because you don’t force yourself to do something you hate. People think that you are silly to spend so much time and money on your passion. But you know doing what you love makes you happy. You know your time and money aren’t spent, but rather invested in your happiness.

You are extraordinary because you don’t force yourself to do something you hate. People think that you are silly to spend so much time and money on your passion. But you know doing what you love makes you happy. You know your time and money aren’t spent, but rather invested in your happiness.

You love yourself.

xviii. You love yourself.

1. Most people blame themselves and others when things don’t go their way. You are extraordinary because you love yourself and treat yourself kindly. When something doesn’t work out, you ask yourself nicely for solutions. You don’t call yourself names and judge yourself.

Most people blame themselves and others when things don’t go their way. You are extraordinary because you love yourself and treat yourself kindly. When something doesn’t work out, you ask yourself nicely for solutions. You don’t call yourself names and judge yourself.

xix. Think about the ways God uniquely designed you and loves you.

Think about the ways God uniquely designed you and loves you.

1. I was adopted.

I was adopted.

a. Mistake

Mistake

Not wanted

b. Not wanted

c. Blessing

Blessing

Very wanted

d. Very wanted

2. You are not an accident or an afterthought. God created you on purpose.

You are not an accident or an afterthought. God created you on purpose.

Isaiah 49:1–3 NIV84

Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”

3. (NLT) — 1 Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The LORD called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. 2 He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. 3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.”

(NLT) — 1 Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The LORD called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. 2 He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. 3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.”

You are God’s child and delight. God loves you exactly as you are and has great plans for you.

4. You are God’s child and delight. God loves you exactly as you are and has great plans for you.

You are God’s child and delight. God loves you exactly as you are and has great plans for you.

Think about this, among all the creatures in the world, we are designed for a uniqueness and special relationship with God.

b. Think about this, among all the creatures in the world, we are designed for a uniqueness and special relationship with God.

The implications of this:

i. The implications of this:

We understand we were made in the image of God from Genesis; means that we get to reflect and share God’s love for the whole world.

1. We understand we were made in the image of God from Genesis; means that we get to reflect and share God’s love for the whole world.

a. We aren’t like the birds or the fish; we were created in God’s image, we are created as God’s partner in the world.

We aren’t like the birds or the fish; we were created in God’s image, we are created as God’s partner in the world.

b. So we are created to be in God’s family, part of a community of love, peace and justice.

So we are created to be in God’s family, part of a community of love, peace and justice.

Have you ever thought about what makes us different from our pets?

2. Have you ever thought about what makes us different from our pets?

I heard a philosopher say one time say what makes us different is animals only drink when we they are thirsty and have sex once a year.

a. I heard a philosopher say one time say what makes us different is animals only drink when we they are thirsty and have sex once a year.

b. I thought about that and it’s true. We can choose to do the things that we enjoy, we don’t act out of instinct. We have free will. We have the ability to think for ourselves, to set goals and work toward them.

I thought about that and it’s true. We can choose to do the things that we enjoy, we don’t act out of instinct. We have free will. We have the ability to think for ourselves, to set goals and work toward them.

But with free will comes the possibility of deciding to live apart from God.

c. But with free will comes the possibility of deciding to live apart from God.

i. We can choose to have sex all the time with ourselves or with someone else.

We can choose to have sex all the time with ourselves or with someone else.

We can choose to drink all sorts of things that lead us to doing all sorts of things that are outside of God’s design for us as his children.

ii. We can choose to drink all sorts of things that lead us to doing all sorts of things that are outside of God’s design for us as his children.

That is sin. It started with Adam and Eve when they chose to live their own way instead of the way God had designed them to live…and we still chose our own way.

iii. That is sin. It started with Adam and Eve when they chose to live their own way instead of the way God had designed them to live…and we still chose our own way.

But sin isn’t just my problem. Sin affects everything. People choose to hurt one another instead of loving them. Nations and groups choose war instead of peace.

iv. But sin isn’t just my problem. Sin affects everything. People choose to hurt one another instead of loving them. Nations and groups choose war instead of peace.

This separation from God creates in us an emptiness - a longing - that is hard to describe.

3. This separation from God creates in us an emptiness - a longing - that is hard to describe.

a. Some have referred to it as a “God shaped hole”.

Some have referred to it as a “God shaped hole”.

b. I’m not sure about that, but I remember looking for meaning in life.

I’m not sure about that, but I remember looking for meaning in life.

We try to fill our lives with things – toys, clothes, cars – and feel good experiences – popularity, sex, drinking, drugs – Let me ask you if you have tried those things. How did it work for you? Did you find yourself satisfied? Or did you find yourself wanting more?

c. We try to fill our lives with things – toys, clothes, cars – and feel good experiences – popularity, sex, drinking, drugs – Let me ask you if you have tried those things. How did it work for you? Did you find yourself satisfied? Or did you find yourself wanting more?

That’s it - We were created for a relationship with God, anything short will never satisfy.

d. That’s it - We were created for a relationship with God, anything short will never satisfy.

The Good news is that we can realize our full God-given potential because God persists in seeking us out.

c. The Good news is that we can realize our full God-given potential because God persists in seeking us out.

i. God offers us a life giving relationship, just as we are. God wants us to be connected with the source of life and true happiness…himself.

God offers us a life giving relationship, just as we are. God wants us to be connected with the source of life and true happiness…himself.

ii. God’s offer of a relationship is called grace. God’s unconditional love for each and every one of us. I explain it to my kids by telling them there is nothing they could do to make me love them any less…and there is nothing they could do to make me love them anymore.

God’s offer of a relationship is called grace. God’s unconditional love for each and every one of us. I explain it to my kids by telling them there is nothing they could do to make me love them any less…and there is nothing they could do to make me love them anymore.

Think of the magnitude of this love.

iii. Think of the magnitude of this love. (NLT) — 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16–17 NIV84

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

(NLT) — 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

That is unconditional love. That is the love God has for you.

That is unconditional love. That is the love God has for you.

iv. That is unconditional love. That is the love God has for you.

v. This love from God, before we love him back, is called prevenient grace. Pre - meaning before and venient – event. It is God’s pursuing love, drawing us into a relationship. It’s God’s A-Game…you know what I’m talking about right…when you put on your best for that girl before she really know who you are. It’s God’s calling card.

This love from God, before we love him back, is called prevenient grace. Pre - meaning before and venient – event. It is God’s pursuing love, drawing us into a relationship. It’s God’s A-Game…you know what I’m talking about right…when you put on your best for that girl before she really know who you are. It’s God’s calling card.

vi. God’s grace shows itself in our lives at various times.

God’s grace shows itself in our lives at various times.

May be the love of your parents or someone else.

1. May be the love of your parents or someone else.

2. May be through role models or friends who introduce us to God’s love.

May be through role models or friends who introduce us to God’s love.

Maybe God choses to work through tough times, difficulties.

3. Maybe God choses to work through tough times, difficulties.

4. Maybe it was a good experience that you were able to see God’s love.

Maybe it was a good experience that you were able to see God’s love.

5. Maybe it was in a time of feeling lost or confused that God showed up.

Maybe it was in a time of feeling lost or confused that God showed up.

For me it was the love of a little old lady in my church, Mrs. Henroe. Maybe it was through the ministry of your church.

6. For me it was the love of a little old lady in my church, Mrs. Henroe. Maybe it was through the ministry of your church.

In closing: Do you want to become all God designed you to be? Are you open to the relationship with God that will make that possible? If God wants every caterpillar to become a butterfly and makes that transformation possible, then imagine how much more God will do to make your transformation possible.

d. In closing: Do you want to become all God designed you to be? Are you open to the relationship with God that will make that possible? If God wants every caterpillar to become a butterfly and makes that transformation possible, then imagine how much more God will do to make your transformation possible.