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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.
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Written by Melanie Curtis, Office assistant for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, AR.
Do you ever feel lost in this world? Like everything is meaningless, or what you’re doing in life either isn’t enough, or you aren’t where you thought you’d be? Even one of the wisest people ever, King Solomon, felt this way. He had everything he could have ever imagined and more—power, wealth, influence... Yet somehow, in Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, he still complained, “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?”
Lately, with all the stress in life, and in the world around us, we may wonder, “Is it even worth it? Will anything I do make a difference anyway?” Jesus did not hold to this philosophy. He said, “‘Everything is possible for one who believes’” (Mark 9:23b), and, speaking of salvation, “‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God’” (Mark 10:27b).
So what are some ways we can fulfill our function in the body of Christ, even in the midst of insecurity, change, and doubt? We should look to the Lord for help in this matter, searching the Word, praying for guidance, and looking at Jesus’ example. Below are some Scriptural examples that can guide and encourage us:
1. Remember to LOVE.
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world...Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:4b & 7)
2. Remember WHO your motivation is.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
3. Remember even the little things can make a BIG difference.
“‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”’” (Matthew 25:34-40)
4. Remember WHOSE you are and what that means.
“‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)
I leave you with this verse, Solomon’s final conclusion regarding our purpose in life:
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)