Born to Die | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Born to Die | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna J. Shepherd
05/28/06
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Now and then, while listening to the radio, I hear the song, Born to Be Wild, by Steppenwolf. Oh, the memories that song brings back! When I was in high school, and that song came on the radio, we’d turn up the volume, and sing of looking for adventure, and on the chorus belt out, "Born to be
wi-l-d." We’d bob our heads flinging our big hair around, and play air guitar or in my case, drums. Were we wild!

Now I wasn’t really born to be wild. I knew that. I had fun imagining myself being wild though. Sometimes we watch sports and think someone like Michael Jordan was born to play basketball. Many men like to imagine themselves dunking a basketball with such ease. As a wee child, Julie Andrews opened her mouth, and a voice with a four-octave range flowed forth. I had no doubt she was born to sing.

Think for a moment about why Jesus came. He taught like no other. But men and women have been anointed to teach. He healed the sick, yet gave the same power to the disciples. "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1 niv)."

Jesus performed miracles. We read in Acts that God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.

Mary, Joseph, the disciples, Paul. Each had his or her purpose. The baby Mary delivered would deliver her - and us. But none could perform a task Jesus alone came to earth to accomplish.

Jesus taught, healed the sick, and performed miracles, but He was born for something much greater. He was born to die. Only His blood alone atones for sin. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."

As an eight-year old girl, I stood up front in church one morning, and sang a song a capella. I don't even remember the song, but I do remember the grownups hovering around me after church. "Oh, honey, you were born to sing! You must use your talent for the Lord." And I did for several years.

Then life - banking and babies, housework and humdrum, overcame my song. I threw myself into my mission of motherhood. My mom made me proud by saying I was born to be a mom.

Now I write. I love it. I can't imagine not writing now. Was I born to write? To sing? To be a mother? Or all of these things at different times of my life?

One thing I know - if I shed every drop of blood in my body, I could not atone for even one person's sin. I thank Jesus Christ that He fulfilled His purpose. Every year during the Christmas holiday, I feel a twinge of sadness because even though we celebrate His birth, I know Jesus Christ was born to die.

But hallelujah, He arose to live again! And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (II Corinthians 5:15 niv). And even though I will one day die, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, I, too, will live again.

Let's praise Him, and vow to fulfill the purpose God has for our lives - as scribes and singers, guitar players or poets, parents, grandparents - as Christians. In whatever area of ministry He leads, let’s pray we accomplish our mission.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.