Michelle J. Goff converses with her mom, Jocelynn, about this month’s topic: “Finding Your Function.”
What is one of the biggest questions you ask yourself when trying to find your place and do your part?
I know my heart is good and devoted to God, but how do I know if I’m fulfilling my role/function in His Kingdom? It’s easy to be involved in good things, but is this the path God has in mind for me?
I think you speak for many women who have similar doubts. How do you answer those questions?
Obviously, scripture and prayer are the first best answers for discovering if I’m fulfilling my function/role in His Kingdom. In a practical sense, we can have trusted resources guide us. Through the years, I have been privileged to hear many gifted speakers, read excellent books, be guided by trusted friends, and of course be guided by God’s Spirit. Some of the things I’ve learned have become guiding principles in my life. One of those resources is Henry Blackaby’s book, Experiencing God. His premise is to look for where God is already working and join Him in that.
This means the focus is not on us but on God. Sometimes, we get a call like Abraham did. He was told to move, but was not given a complete road map. We’d like to have a road map with step by step directions. However, Jesus said, “I am the Way” (John 14:6a). He knows the Way and He is my Way. So, I should be following Him or joining Him in path where He is going or already involved in.
One specific verse I’ve come across recently is Joshua 3:4,
Then you will know which way to go since you have never been this way before.
God said this to Joshua as he was leading the Israelites after Moses’ death. God knew they’d never been this way before, so He told them to follow the Ark of the Covenant. He was the God of details knowing that they needed help. They joined Him where He was leading.
Anyone else you have learned from?
Another one of those sources was Doris Black. She encouraged us to use Psalm 25:4-5 for how to know what paths to take.
Show me Your Ways, O LORD, teach me Your Paths; guide me in Your Truth and teach me for You are God, my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
Even though it was many years ago, I remember the three points she used as guiding principles for knowing the path to take.
1. Opportunity
2. Circumstances
3. Lines of Authority
If opportunity is not open for you then don’t force the opportunity. Check out the circumstances to see if they are a favorable match for you. Check with your lines of authority. This can be a parent, boss, spouse, elder in the church, or a trusted older person. That person knows you and can guide you with wise counsel to advise, yes or no. The yes can have wise conditions with it and the no can include reasons why this is not best.
God can speak through opportunities, circumstances, and through trusted lines of authority. It’s up to us to seek them and prayerfully use them to help us navigate the path. I have found these three points to be helpful and practical in guiding me in my day-to-day path, as well as for a big picture, down the road path.
Any final words of wisdom about finding our function?
Yes, reminding myself that He is the Potter and I am the clay is a helpful guiding principle. It’s not all up to me or even all about me. It’s all about Him and for Him. If I trust Him, keep Him as my focus, and join Him in His Work, then I can rest assured that I’m in the right path and fulfilling my function/role in His Kingdom.