The word ‘sanctified’ means ‘to be set apart for exclusive use’. The word ‘ordained’ means ‘ordered according to a plan’. Here are two things we need to know: God doesn’t waste anything He created, and He doesn’t waste anything He can use. Before you were saved, both the good and bad experiences you had were equipping you for what He had in mind. That includes who your parents were, the places you’ve been, where you were educated, the number of years you spent in school, the subjects you studied, and the training you received. It also includes things God put inside you at the time of your birth, even though some of those things may have seemed to work against you while you were growing up. Do you hold on to ideas like a predator grips its prey? God can use that. Do you enjoy poring over books and research? God can use that. Are you quick to confront, excited to run right at the enemy? God can use that. Today you may feel like you’re in the wrong place, doing the wrong things, with the wrong people. You might be wondering how you’re going to dig yourself out of the hole or turn your life around. And truthfully, the answer may be that you can’t, but God can! He makes miracles out of mistakes. So, give Him the things in your life that aren’t so good, the things you’re not proud of, and say, ‘Heavenly Father, here they are. I wish my life was different, but it’s not. I wish I could change it, but I can’t.’ Then let God go to work.
