Finding My Place

Have you ever spent hours and hours putting together all of the pieces to a really large puzzle and just as you are finally finishing you realize that. . . there's a piece missing? How frustrating . . . aggravating. . . disappointing . . . agonizing. That feeling that you get when you realize that all the time, energy, effort - it was all in vain because the picture that you were trying to complete can not be finished. The work that you were trying to do cannot be done because one piece was out of place. And isn't it true, that if there is a single piece missing - we don't notice the picture. We don't notice the WHOLE - instead we notice the HOLE. One missing piece makes a huge difference.

True in puzzles - even truer in the kingdom of God. God has placed within each of us abilities and gifts and amazing talents that were designed to be utilized within the kingdom. But many times for various reasons there are HOLES within the fabric of the kingdom of God. Maybe it's because we don't know what our gifting and our talents are. Maybe it's because we don't see what we bring to the table as needed or wanted. Maybe it's because we've never been asked or maybe it's because we don't see ourselves as worthy of a piece of the puzzle. For others, it's because we see ourselves as too busy or too fearful or too unprepared. Whatever the case is, there are Christians throughout the kingdom of God who are living lives that are unproductive and unfulfilled because they've yet to discover their place, their spot on the puzzle.

Paul described the kingdom as a body. Christ is the head but we are individual members of the body fitly joined together so that every joint, every bone, every muscle, every organ is needed and supplies for the needs of all the others. Therefore, when we see ourselves as part of the body, we understand that our function is necessary and needed whether it is small or great. Because the elbow can't say to the bicep muscle, I have no need of you. The femur bone can't say to the big toe, I have no need of you. The nose can't say to the ear - your function is not important. Nor can the mouth say to the hand - of what purpose do you serve? We are one body joined together for HIS purpose and we desperately need every part. Oh, we can survive without certain members of the body. . . you can live with some missing parts. BUT the body will never be what it could be until every piece is in its proper place.

The key to finding your place in the kingdom is to first recognize and realize that YOU are a vital and important piece of the puzzle. Without you, God's kingdom would be less that it could be with you serving in it. There is no small role nor large role - only opportunities to make Jesus look great. When we serve in the kingdom, we do so by utilizing those things that God has placed in our life. And so - you are an important piece of the kingdom. Determining your place is not always simple. Sometimes we're not quite sure how to be most effective in the kingdom. To truly determine your place, you just have to get started. Sometimes when you're putting together a puzzle, some pieces get tried in numerous places. You twist it and turn it and attempt to position in various places. Sometimes it's just a little bit off. Sometimes it may even fit but the pattern doesn't fit that section of the puzzle. Sometimes it doesn't fit at all and you move on to the next spot. But eventually, if you're willing to try, you discover the tailor-made spot for the puzzle piece that is in your hand.

There's a man in the book of Acts - his name is John Mark. When Paul left on one of his early missionary journeys, Barnabas and John Mark were traveling together with the great Apostle. At some point on the journey, there arose a disagreement between Paul and John Mark. Apparently John Mark was homesick and really wanted to return to Jerusalem and Paul great angry and frustrated with him. So Barnabas took John Mark and Paul found a man by the name of Silas and they parted ways. Years go by - Barnabas and John Mark, with anointing on their life had discovered all sorts of areas of ministry for them to thrive in. And well, Paul & Silas had some wild stories to tell themselves. All had discovered their place in the kingdom although the original places they tried didn't quite seem to fit. Late in life, the Apostle Paul sends a letter and in his letter, he says, "Tell John Mark to come to me because I have need of him." The man that the Apostle Paul had sent away in shame - suddenly was in need. Sometimes, we don't understand why things happen the way they do. Sometimes we don't understand why hurts come into our life or experiences happen that don't make any sense. Maybe you tried to accomplish a ministry - you tried to serve in the kingdom and it just didn't work out the way you thought it would. Recognize that, just like John Mark, your ministry is of value - your place is needed. It just may be that the experience that you are having to go through right now, is designed to place things in your character that will make you better able to serve and to a blessing in the future.

Why do we have hurts? Why does pain come? Why does bad things happen to us? Sometimes we wonder, if we are supposed to be a part of the body of Christ, why do we have to face struggle. There's no easy answer to that question. But I do know, that struggle always bring strength and your ability to touch the lives of others is improved by your opportunity to share your experiences. God never wastes a hurt. If it happened to you, you can rest assure that at some point, you will have a chance to assist in the healing process of someone else who in the future will go through the pain you experience today --- if you're willing to find your place and get right in the middle of it.

If God has called you and brought you into His Kingdom - He intends to utilize those things that He has placed in your life. Spiritual Gifts, Abilities, Personality Traits, Experiences, the things that you love to do - they are all placed in your life by GOD - and He will utilize them to minister and to touch the lives of others - if you're willing to find your place.

The most unfulfilled Christian is an unserving Christian. As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure it's possible to be an "unserving Christian". To be like Christ means to serve - and I want to find the fulfillment of serving in the body of Christ. Find your place in the puzzle - get plugged in and discover the joy of serving and living your life in such a manner that you impact all those around you. What is it God is asking you to do? What is it that you would do for the kingdom of God if you knew that you couldn't fail? Today - begin looking for those opportunities to plug your piece into the puzzle. . . Find your place and get right in the middle of it - and discover the joy that only Jesus can bring.

Love all of you - pray for Davina and I - we will be moving over the next few weeks and we are so excited to soon be on location with our wonderful church family at Church on the Move. We are endeavoring with all that we have to find our place and hopefully help others find their place as well in the kingdom of God. Until next time - even if it's through trial and error - look for ways to serve in the kingdom and to impact our world! -- God bless - RP