Finding Your Purpose Part 1

What does it mean to be used by God? I find that so many people come to Christ and want to do great things for His Kingdom. They are told that their life has purpose and they run with that information. That’s a good thing! Unfortunately, what they think this means is that they will find popularity and fame as God gives them an amazing platform. When that doesn’t happen, they become angry with the church and disappointed with the Lord. Then there's others that think they are unqualified to do anything of value for God's Kingdom. What you need to know is, there’s nothing too small or insignificant to do for His glory. Whether you are called to preach from a pulpit, feed the poor or clean a toilet, if you’re doing it in obedience and with a heart to serve, you’ll be blessed.

My mother was a pastor in the inner city of St. Louis, she preached in her church on Sundays, she taught the youth and children at her youth center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and preached, filled grocery bags, and handed out food to the community on Friday afternoons. She was never afraid to get her hands dirty while at times, loving the most unlovable. She was cursed, shot at and had bricks thrown at her, but nothing could deter her from the call of God! My son, Pastor Josh and his wife, Pastor Bethany, have never asked volunteers to do anything they wouldn't do themselves. They work long hours on both ministry, cleaning and renovating their church building. My Pastors at New Life Church, Pastors Shawn and Holly Baker, are the same, they along with the other leaders in our church never consider themselves too important to do the “menial” tasks of ministry. All for the glory of God, working together for the advancement of His Kingdom!

At times, what I was called upon to do in the church included scrubbing toilets and urinals. I would have to crawl under the urinal and scrape dried urine. I won’t even mention what I had to scrape from under the toilets. Why am I writing about this in a devotional? Because everything we do unto the Lord should be done as an act of worship! It is all for His glory and we consider ourselves blessed to be used to serve Him, no matter how that looks or feels!

Don’t wait for a spectacular ministry opportunity to open before you’ll serve God and certainly don't wait until you feel qualified. Find a need and fill it! There are so many ways to serve Him simply by showing love to others. Find someone who needs a ride to a doctor's appointment or sit with someone who is home bound. Find a widow who needs things fixed in her home. Be a friend to the lonely. Find ways to reflect Jesus to those in your community. Ministry opportunities are everywhere! It’s about filling the needs that are set before you and never thinking you’re too important or too insignificant to show love and compassion to the lost and hurting.

Just surrender your life to Him and look around, He’ll show you areas where you’re most needed and can be the greatest blessing. Even if no one else notices... He will!

Matthew 6:4 (TPT) Give secretly and your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”

Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...

Matthew 25:33-40 (TPT) The ‘sheep’ he will put on his right side and the ‘goats’ on his left. Then the King will turn to those on his right and say, ‘You have a special place in my Father’s heart. Come and experience the full inheritance of the kingdom realm that has been destined for you from before the foundation of the world! For when you saw me hungry, you fed me. When you found me thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited me in, and when I was poorly clothed, you covered me. When I was sick, you tenderly cared for me, and when I was in prison you visited me.’ “Then the godly will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and give you food and something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and invite you in? When did we see you poorly clothed and cover you? When did we see you sick and tenderly care for you, or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least important of these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.

Matthew 10:42 (NLT) And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”