Our church is making some shifts and changes right now and our pastors are trying to prepare the congregation for some of the issues that may arise from this change. We are merging with another congregation so there will be a whole new group of people to get to know. One of the things that folks tend to struggle with when new people enter into an established situation is that they don't feel as valued as they once felt or they think other people are taking the place they once held.
While addressing this issue on Sunday, our pastor said, "There are no gap fillers here. Every single one of you has a unique purpose and plan for your life." That remark really struck a chord with me. I myself have struggled with that thought at times in my life and I know so many others who continually deal with it. If we haven't discovered our purpose, we can wrestle with thoughts that tell us we merely fill in the gaps left by others who know their calling in life!
In church, in our careers, our hobbies...the things that we are naturally drawn to and enjoy...those are the areas where God will usually help us in finding a way to express our gifts and callings. If you don't know what that is yet, don't think of yourself as a "gap filler". Just dig in and get involved wherever you see a need. Somewhere, you will find your passion, your niche, your calling! We have women in our church who are called to change diapers in the nursery and, believe me, we value them just as much as the ones called to preach and teach!
No matter where you look, you will find areas to serve your community. Our unique plans and purposes start there. If you get involved and have a servant's heart, He will guide you and show you where your gifts and callings are a perfect fit and they will begin to flourish. And before you know it, you will know why you were created! You are God's answer to something! Don't shrink back from going after the things that God has placed in your heart.
Do you know what God's plan and purpose is for you? What are you doing to discover what that is? Share with us here how you've found ways to discern your gifts and callings.
From His Lap,
I like that, Erin.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elise! I'm so glad you came by!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
~Erin
Amen! Like a prison in Bryan TX and helping hurting women! Dianne
ReplyDeleteYes, Dianne, just like that! You have heard from God on that for sure!!! He has used you mightily!
ReplyDeletexo,
~Erin
Im not certain what my purpose is, but I try to "dig in" wherever I can. Thanks for this post, sometimes we all need a little reminder that we aren't gap fillers : )
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteJust by "digging in", you'll find your purpose! That's the best way to start. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Blessings,
~Erin
Oh Erin this is SO beautiful!! I think I really needed to open this when I did. Your posts are always so uplifting!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jacqueline, for your kind words! And...you are NOT a gap filler!
ReplyDeleteHugs & blessings,
~Erin
Yes, Erin! All of us are called to shine in the place where God has set us. The pastor of a church is not the only one with the Truth to proclaim. We do so by Jesus living His life through us in the classroom, in Kroger, in the coffee shop, or at the kitchen table. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you, my sweet sister! :-)
Angie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you stopped by and shared with us! That is so true, wherever we are, we are jars of clay!!
Blessings,
~Erin
Much needed advice for all. Thanks for continuous nuggets that you share with the Body of Christ, Erin.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Thank you, Susan, for always edifying and encouraging! I'm so glad you stopped by!
ReplyDelete~Erin
I used to dream of doing big things, like helping senior citizens or children in need. However, the Lord has shown me that being a good mother and a good wife is as important. I need to be faithful in doing what he has assigned me to do at this point of my life. Perhaps when my children are older, the Lord will lead me to do something different. Thank you for the reminder again. You have been such a blessing in my life. Mary
ReplyDeleteI love the encouragement to dig in somewhere... often He doesn't reveal our purpose and our place to us until we're right in the middle of it! If we do nothing we might not figure it out. Great post... prayers for your changes ahead :)
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteYou are very tender to the leading of the Lord. I know you follow His voice and walk in His ways. You are precious!
Blessings,
~Erin
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteThat is so right on!! We can never just sit around doing nothing, waiting for God to speak to us. There's plenty to do for the Kingdom!
Thank you so much for sharing with us here!
Blessings,
~Erin
Great post, a merge is never easy and knowing that it doesn't change what we are called to do is really empowering. All things work together for good :)
ReplyDeleteHeart n Soul,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by! I think this merge is going to be wonderful. I'm excited about all the new friends I'll be making.
Blessings,
~Erin
Hi Erin~Another church merged with ours this past year. It has been good! I agree we all have something the Lord has made us for. Sometimes you just have to try things until you find the right one.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you...Chelle
You're so right, Chelle. I'm excited to see what God will do next in our church. And you are right that you just have to try. Can't sit around waiting for things to happen.
ReplyDeleteHugs & blessings,
~Erin
such an encouraging post, erin. i think being a good listener to friends...anyone who really needs someone to just pour their heart out to, really can make such a difference in people's lives. sometimes it is the smallest of acts that can change it all for someone. you certainly have found so many wonderful callings and i love all that you share.
ReplyDeletewishing you a happy thursday <3
thank you so much for your beautiful words!
xoxo
maria
Maria,
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet. Thank you for those kind words. I do believe that part of my calling is to exhort and encourage people! Thank you for confirming that!
Love you, sister!
~Erin
Hi Erin - I love this, especially the bit your pastor said "There are no gap fillers here. Every single one of you has a unique purpose and plan for your life." Thank you, Erin for linking up with me on winsome wednesday. I appreciate it and your encouragement. God bless and look forward to seeing you there next week.
ReplyDeleteTracy
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI always love hooking up with your blog. You are such an inspiration. You always bless me.
Thank you for visiting here!
Blessings,
~Erin
Much needed advice for all. Thanks for continuous nuggets that you share with the Body of Christ, Erin.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Thank you, Susan. I appreciate it so much when you stop by!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Erin
I love the way God led me, during one of my most painful storms, to start writing a blog about my faith journey. Little did I know, my little ol' blog would later be referred to by family and friends as a ministry. It was then that I realized my writing is no longer about my own healing, but rather about reaching out to others and offering encouragement. I'm hardly equipped to carry the responsibility of running my own "ministry" but apparently God's plan is just that. So for now, I'm just going with it...writing out of obedience and because it's my passion.
ReplyDeleteI love this post!
~Love you,
Rosann
You have a very powerful ministry, Rosann! And you are eqipped for it. He equips those He calls! What you are doing to encourage and inspire moms is a much needed ministry! You go, girl!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you,
~Erin
My favorite line: "You are God's answer to something!" That is good stuff right there. Preach it, sister! =)
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, TJ!! I believe I will...preach it!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
~Erin
Another beautiful post Erin! I think for a lot of us life goes in cycles. There are times when we are energized and feel that we are doing exactly what God intends for us to do. But then there are other times when we feel lost and confused, with nothing pulling us in any particular direction. Someone said something wonderful to me once. She said, "You know, you don't always need to be moving forward. Sometimes you get credit just for keeping your head above water."
ReplyDeleteI think perhaps God intends these periods of uncertainty to be restorative for us. Maybe these are our times to step back and let others take the wheel for a while... and to just sit with God and appreciate where we are. I think if we could all learn to use these times for healing and rest instead of trying to figure out what we're supposed to do, we could be more content in general. Then, when our next inspiration does come, we'll not only be ready, but rested and ready to take on a new challenge.
I say this because I struggle with this as well. I always want to be "on to the next thing." And I have to remind myself that sometimes God wants us to just be, and to be content. Because true fulfillment comes not from worldly accomplishments and positions (although accomplishments are wonderful), but instead from our relationship with God.
Thanks for sharing something we all struggle with, and for sharing your uplifting message as well. I love how you said, "You are God's answer to something." I think I'm going to put that on a post-it and stick it to my bathroom mirror for when I'm feeling down! What a wonderful nugget of truth!
Love you hon! Blessings, Jenn
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! Sometimes we just need to be still and just listen for Him!!! Then other times, we need to move and get involved. I always love when you stop by and share your thoughts.
You are a blessing to me! Love you!
~Erin