Your Created Design

It begins at birth

We all have a unique bent. A specific design. Something different. 

In fact, there’s a verse that speaks to this. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go. When he’s older, he won’t depart from it.”

I’ve heard pastors, other spiritual leaders, and people console parents with wayward teens that this verse means something like “Teach those kids the Bible when they’re young. They may leave the faith— like a lot of kids do when they hit the teen or young adult years. They may rebel, but if you trained them right, they’ll be back.” They propose this verse promises a “spiritual boomerang" for parents who impart spiritual wisdom at an early age.

Thankfully that happens. When we stray, God calls us— and our kids— back to Himself. There’s nowhere we can run from His presence (Psalm 139:7f.). 

Even though the Father always draws us to Himself, that’s not what this verse says at all, though (John 6:44). Rather, this verse means something like this: “Find that child’s design, the blueprint for them… discover how they’ve been created by God. Look for their unique bent, their hidden skill set… the diamonds that are in the rough. Then call those forth… and train them in that.”

In other words, this isn’t just a “teach them the Bible” verse. This is an all-of-life verse.

A closer look = more about you

We see seven created designs in the New Testament. Though you may express yourself at any given time through any of them, you probably naturally lean towards one or two of these seven. We read about them in Romans 12:4-8 (ESV, emphasis added). Paul references the “body of Christ” analogy and then lists them. Notice— 

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Above, Paul lists the seven unique bents:

1. Prophecy
2. Service
3. Teaching
4. Exhorting
5. Giving
6. Leading
7. Mercy

Our differences begin in how we were made

These designs are one of the first places in which we begin to look, think, and act differently than one another. Think about it: the commands God gives us in Scripture— including the verses we discussed in chapter 12 of LifeLift which reference “will of God”— are the same for all of us. 

• He wants us all to be saved. 
• He desires for everyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
• He delights in our sanctification.
• The  “spiritual disciples,” as some people call them, are the same for each of us.

But we’re different. And that difference begins with… get this… how we were created. 

And how we were created includes our created design. That is, it includes the unique blueprint Proverbs 22:6 references. 

Again, most theologians call these created gifts (or designs), because you're born with them. Again, when you were created, these came with the package! 

After studying this concept, you’re going to understand a lot about you— why you do things differently than others. And, you’ll understand this about the people closest to you, too!

Look at Creation

The creation story is one of the clearest ways to understand how these created design works— and how they’re different.

In the book we use the example of a toppled birthday cake— something that actually happened once when my entire family was gathered together. 

We note that different people respond in various ways to the accident, based on their natural predisposition— that is, how they were created. 

Notice— 

We need them all

Which response is most needed here? 

All of them.

Moreover, if it’s a dropped cake, the issue is of little concern. 

But what if we all arrive at the scene of an accident? 

Or are walking with someone through a traumatic situation? 

Or are helping someone identify their purpose and passion? 

You see— all the unique designs are special. They are all valuable. They are each needed.