Few of us are called to formal full-time ministry positions as an occupation. However, each one of us are all called to serve and be a witness, wherever we are, regardless of our title or position. We can show His love to those around us as we teach children, manage households, check groceries, pick up garbage, sell insurance, prepare and serve meals, enforce the law, volunteer and so on. Our occupation does not limit how God can utilize us for His glory, right where we are, currently.
“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.” – (I Corinthians 7:17)
“Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.” – (I Corinthians 7:20)
“Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.” – (I Corinthians 7:24)
When repetition occurs in scripture, I tend to take notice. Three times Paul said nearly the same thing to the people of Corinth. Though his words were in the specific context of marriage, I believe it applies to every area of our lives. God will use us wherever we have been called, right now, not when we obtain a certain status or position. What He calls us to, He will use us to work through, if we are willing and available to be obedient to whatever He asks of us. There are days when it seems impossible that He could utilize me to reach another, yet it is in those spots of the strongest struggle, that His strength is shown and progress is made known. May we trust Him where we are, and be open to opportunities to touch lives as we love as He loves us.
Each of us called,
to serve where we are;
no need to wait,
He’s brought us this far.
Not by our strength,
but rather, by His;
trust Him to lead,
He’ll do what He says.
In all we do,
to God, let it be;
we too were bound,
’til He set us free.
Let His love lead,
and His Spirit guide;
with hearts open,
His peace realized.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to the spaces where we are, even when they don’t always make sense. Thank You that You are our strength in the struggle and our help and hope. Thank You that You use us for Your glory, regardless of our lot in life, if we are willing to serve You. Forgive us for thinking we have to reach a certain position or knowledge base, or for being fearful of mankind. Teach us to trust You to give us wisdom, words and all that we need, to love and serve, wherever we are called to be. May we touch lives and transform communities through faithfully serving where we are called, and may all glory and honor be given to You. Thank You that You love us where we are, yet continue to grow us more deeply in You. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.
Father, I thank You that You have heard me. – John 11:41
Revelations In Writing 
Thank you for this wise message Shannon. It’s so easy to feel like the little things we do everyday don’t matter that much, but when we look at things with the perspective that you give here than those “little things” seem to have much more value. Many Blessings, Hannah
Thanks so much, Hannah. I love that the Lord will use whatever offering of who He has made us to be, and multiply it into so much more… Blessings as you continue to bloom where He has planted you! ❤ Shannon
Reblogged this on LA BOTTEGA DELL'ANIMA and commented:
Le parole di cui abbiamo bisogno!!!…
Thank you for the reblog. I wish I understood your language… Blessings. 🙂
Shannon, Thank you so much for your faithfulness to the Word and proclaiming its truths. The grass on the full-time ministry side of the fence appears much greener to me, but here I stand outside that green grass, blooming in a field with thorns, weeds, AND Sonshine. Thank you for your encouragement. Karen
Thank you, Karen. Though the grass appears greener, I know that those in full-time ministry have many thorns and weeds too – they just take different shape. The beauty is in His using us where we are, in each season. I am so thankful that He does! Blessings as you continue to bloom! ❤ Shannon
Wonderful word! 🙂
Thanks Sue. 🙂
Reblogged this on Christian Comfort & Conversation Cafe and commented:
Loving others where they are as Christ doeth for us.
Thank you, Shenine. Blessings to you, my blooming sister. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing. This is really an encouragement. Especially when certain aspect of life where individuals are graced to flourish are not counted as worthy. We cannot all become instrumentalist, musician, a preacher or a missionary in the kingdom of God but we can all bright in some little corner. I said this because I have to the realization that most people in the body of Christ if they don’t serve in the church, they don’t consider themselves as being part of kingdom builders.
McDaniels Gyamfi
http://www.graceology.org
My pleasure. God is so faithful to show us the truth when we seek Him. Blessings to you as you continue to seek and serve wherever He has planted you. 🙂
God bless you more my friend
……. this is a word in due season for me, Shannon. I really need to this message and soak it up and pray tonight about something regarding the Women’s Ministry. This is loving and convicting all at the same time. God bless you my dear sister. Your ministry has always been an encouragement to me.
~Terra
Thanks so much, Terra. It is a treasure to know that you too, are in the midst of it. He is using you mightily, this I know. Blessings to you, friend, as you continue to bloom wherever He plants you. ❤