You may have heard this statement before. This is something Israel Houghton used to share with us, when I sang with the Lakewood Church Choir. Good times!!!
Israel is one of the worship leaders at Lakewood Church. Each week either him, Dakri Brown (our Choir Director) or Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff would drop a few pearls of wisdom on us, in an effort to lead us to a deeper place in our walk with God. As they say, you cannot lead where you have not been. And we, as a group, were given the privilege of leading the congregation into God's presence each week.
Anyway, this statement is one of those things that you've got think on for a while before you are able to fully appreciate the value of what is being said. Kind of like a dish that has to marinate for a while before the true flavor is brought out.
When we really stop and think about it, it's multidimensional. You have to look at it from at least a couple of different perspectives.
First, I have to realize that there is something bigger than me, a big picture that I cannot possibly be fully aware of. God's plans and ways are far beyond anything we could imagine, let alone comprehend. I am one, among millions of believers all over the world. God is the Divine Orchestrator and Architect, the Master Planner of it all. Even when it looks like one big mass of chaos, He's still in control, causing all things to work together to accomplish His plans and purposes.
It's like being a part of the Lakewood Church Choir. We were all a part of something much bigger. Something much bigger than most of us even realized. One voice in the midst of hundreds of others, singing at one of the largest churches in the U.S. Part of a ministry that was and is touching and changing lives all over the world.
Secondly, I have to realize that I also have a part to play. Yes, each of us, regardless how insignificant that it may seem, have an individual role to play. Just like the actors in a play or the pieces of a puzzle, we all have a place, something to contribute, whether large or small. Each of us, with our unique personalities, gifts and talents all come together to create a beautiful tapestry. All a part of God's great plan.
When we come to this realization and begin to seek God for His wisdom, guidance and direction to help us find our place in the big scheme of things, it is then that we begin to find true fulfillment in life. Until then, we are like a fish out of water. We're like someone groping for something in the dark or a leaf being carried aimlessly in the wind, with no direction or purpose.
As we start this new year and new decade, I challenge you to seek God for His purpose and direction for your life. If you've been feeling discouraged, frustrated and unfulfilled, perhaps it's because you have not yet found the part that you play in the big picture of life. Or perhaps you know what it is, but you've been too afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Or maybe you have stepped out and like Peter, when he stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water, but lost your focus and began to sink.
Wherever you are, I pray right now that God would encourage and strengthen you. I pray that He will grant you the wisdom, guidance and direction that you need to realize His calling and purpose for your life. And I also pray that He would grant you the grace and provision to fulfill that call. I pray He surrounds with others that will encourage, inspire and challenge you to keep moving forward and to help you get back up when you fall or want to give up. In the blessed name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Happy 2011, my friend! Remember, you can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you.
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