Marked by the Lord

by Joyce Sykes
Published May 15, 2007

“Sh! Be real quiet, Abbie.” Those few words had captured her attention. Abbie knew that my whispered tones held a hint of excitement. Her feet froze in place even as she turned and looked toward me.

“What, Grandma?,” whispering back in her little three-year-old voice.

“The birds are at the birdfeeders.” She quickly tiptoed toward me with her arms lifted up. We watched all the birds of various colors, sizes and species feeding in the backyard. There were cardinals, sparrows, chick-a-dees, and even a red-header woodpecker. We whispered back and forth, as she repeated the names behind me.

I love to watch the beauty of nature that surrounds my quiet neighbor and community. We often see deer feeding on the edges of the woods and too often at the edge of the highways. Foxes, possums, raccoons and other wildlife are seen through out our county, all created by my heavenly Father’s hand. What a wondrous imagination He has to have created the camel and rhino, or the dolphin and humpback whale.

Equally amazing are the markings on a tiger, although tigers are alike in so many ways, each animal has their own unique markings on their face. No two are exactly alike. That same reality applies to us as humans. We may look similar, yet in same way there are subtle differences. As every parent knows firsthand, children conceived from the same two parents, reared in the same household and in the same manner will have personalities as different as night and day. One will have an easy-going manner, while the next one is intense and always on the go. Some will enjoy outdoor activities, while the other computers, etc.

It is the same for us as Christians. As we repented of our sins and asked forgiveness, we become children of the Most High. We were purchased with the precious blood of Jesus, who made that perfect sacrifice on Calvary. Now we are able to come boldly before the throne of grace today because of His love and willingness to take our place. With His precious blood as our covering, we are still unique before the Lord. Each one has different talents, and abilities to further the Kingdom of God.

Just as in nature, the Lord uses various singers and songs to touch the hearts of individuals. No two ministers will preach the same message from the exact same text in Scripture. The Lord gives each one of them divine insight according to the needs of the flock. As individuals share the love of the Lord, their words will come out of their own experiences and testimonies. Though the message might be the same, your method will be very different from mine. It is fascinating to see the Lord use our differences and individuality to minister to various people.

As children of the Most High, we have the unique message of hope and love to share with those that are lost in the world. Some have the harvest field of working with the elderly, such as a young nurse who recently asked a patient dying with cancer did she need anything. The patient’s reply was to please prayer for her. This young nurse immediately knelt to the floor and cried out to heaven’s throne that very instant. Those in the room felt the presence of the Lord as His peace flooded the room and the patient. In that instant, the young nurse embraced her unique markings to reach out and touch another as the patient prepared to enter eternity’s gate.

Maybe your call is working with children, teens, or maybe evangelism. Others write songs, sing, write poetry or develop skits. No matter what your talent is, He is able to use you to touch the hearts and lives of those you encounter daily. Open up, take a leap of faith and allow yourself to minister to others, whether in song, word or actions.

Too often, we find our self-comparing our “markings” to another and just as often find our self-lacking as we view ourselves compared to the others marked by the Lord also. Remember as you labor in your field of harvest that you were created by the Master’s hand to be unique. Your markings are your markings and not to be viewed or compared as inferior to another’s. Your gift and talents are all within the Maker’s plan. You were created for His good pleasure and have been are marked by the Lord. So press in to all He has for you.

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