You Are the Way You Are for a Reason

Are you struggling with some life controlling issue, failure, illness, disability,  sin or a sin committed against you? Have you tried to overcome and seem to fall into the same rut? Have you had prayer for your situation and still do not see any improvement? Are you frustrated or even angry with God?

If you answered YES! to any of the above then I hope this post will give you encouragement and the Holy Spirit will comfort you as you read it. What I am going to share will at first seem so crazy that you will not want to accept it. All I ask is for you to consider what I share and let God speak to you about it.

We are told in the following two scriptures that God knew us before we were even born. From these scriptures I believe it would points out that God knew what we would face in our lives and He knew where we would be in our journey at this very moment. He even knew that you would read this post today.

Isaiah 44:2a I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.

Psalm 139: 16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.

So if God knew you would be struggling with whatever issue you have He must have a purpose for allowing it to be in your life. I believe that the reason for where you are right now can be found in following poem by Russell Kelfer:

You are who you are for a reason. You're part of an intricate plan. You're a precious and perfect unique design, Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason. Our God made no mistake. He knit you together within the womb, You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose, And no matter how you may feel, They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind, And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy. And God wept that it hurt you so; But it was allowed to shape your heart So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason, You've been formed by the Master's rod. You are who you are, beloved, Because there is a God!

If you have been hurt by others then God has a reason for allowing it to happen. You understand more than one who has not been hurt by others how it makes you feel. It is you who can be the instrument of God's peace to another who has been hurt.

If you are struggling with lust or tend to view pornography God allowed it to happen. You understand more than one who has never had that struggle what it is like to deal with it daily. It is you who can be the instrument to a man or woman struggling with lust or porn.

You see God allows stuff to happen to us so that when we accept Him as our savior He can use us to touch the lives of other people who are struggling with the very thing we had to struggle with.

As crazy as it sounds we need to rejoice in the struggles we have had because they help us to be better able to bring glory to our Creator as we help those who are struggling around us.

James 1:2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

This post was inspired by Rick Warren's book, "Purpose Driven Life".

So what do you do now?

1. Admit your situation and share it with someone you trust.

2. Continue to pray and get prayer for it.

3. Use what you have learned to help others.

4. Make yourself available for service.

5. Rejoice and Do Not Give UP!

Are you happy serving where you are?

When I was a Deacon in the Worldwide Church of God I had a desire to be an Elder. I performed every task I was given as a Deacon to the best of my ability and dedicated my time to helping others. I never reached the goal of becoming an Elder but the Holy Spirit always gave me joy in serving where I was.

I have been attending a Vineyard Church for the past eleven years and I have served as an usher, a greeter, a team member of the men's ministry and in 2006 I was ordained as a pastor. I have a desire to serve in the position as an assistant pastor, a men's ministry pastor or a care and support pastor. None of those opportunities have come my way and sometimes I struggle with impatience. Even though I struggle the Holy Spirit continues to comfort me and to give me joy.

Today I am helping to lead two small groups, one for men and the other is open to anyone.

REAL Men RoCK Small Group - Overland Park, KS
We are men who are seeking in the Bible answers to how we can become Righteous, Encouraging, Accountable, Loving Men Relying on Christ's Kindness. We are not afraid to tackle life issues in an honest and frank manner with grace and mercy.

Vineyard Small Group - Louisburg, KS http://vineyardlouisburg.blgospot.com

This is a new group which I co-lead and which has a goal to serve in our community the sick, the hurting, the rejected, the addicted and those who do not attend a church.

I also serve on the men's ministry leadership team and as a team member of our church's Angel Tree Ministry. Since October 2008 I have been called to write this blog and I have been encouraged by those who read and comment.

Even though I am not serving as a full-time pastor I am using the talents and gifts God has given me to do the things that He has called me to do now. Honestly, I still struggle with wanting to serve as a full-time pastor but the Holy Spirit continues to give me joy in where I am now.

The purpose of this post is not to point out what I am doing but to encourage you to look at what you are doing today and how you are doing what you are doing.

Are you moving forward in your goals and dreams?

Are you satisfied with where you are and the opportunities you have today to serve?

Are you serving with joy?

If not you can. Just ask God's Holy Spirit to give you joy in serving where you are so that you will be more effective.

I encourage you to look at every opportunity to do ministry as an opportunity to serve our Lord and King. Be thankful for where God has you today. Keep moving forward by being humble and submissive to what God has you doing today so that He can use you in a greater way tomorrow.

I believe you can find joy in where God has you now and more importantly God believes in you and is willing to grant you that joy. All you have to do is ask and keep using your talents and gifts for the glory of God.

Father, thank You for giving us the talents and gifts that we use to serve others. Grant us joy in the serving and not in the position. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit which gives to us our talents, gifts and opportunities. May everything we do bring You glory. In the name, power and authority of Jesus Christ, amen.