Christians, recently I was asked to lead the devotional at the board meeting of an organization I am currently helping by serving in various capacities. As I thought about what to share with the group, I thought about the organization itself and how I got involved. I thought about the different levels of serving, the different opportunities presented, and the different gifts, talents, and abilities I was able to share. I wanted to encourage the rest of the board, that if you are here, if you are apart of this organization, that God has you here for a reason and a season. I now want to encourage the rest of you that wherever you are, whatever you are apart of, God has YOU there for a reason and a season, and it is to be for your good and His glory.
When I was first asked to help with this organization, it was to work at an annual fundraising food booth. I was working with my brother, who was a shift manager, he put me in charge of “scooping sides.” I was dishing up fruit and beans into side containers and it was a good job, but one that allowed me a unique position. As my station was not very busy, it afforded me the opportunity to observe how the operation was working. I saw many things that I thought, I would do it differently this way. As the shift progressed I had a desire to help organize it better to benefit the organization and their fundraising efforts. However, I had no opportunity to do so, and I waited. When God has positioned you for something, you must realize, HE will open the door for you to do it.
As the next year passed, I talked to my brother about the experience and my take away from it. You see, I have worked in the restaurant industry multiple times in my life and twice in the position of an assistant manager. I wanted to help in the food booth again, but only if I could effect real change. My brother introduced me to the fair committee and I began to attend meetings. I made some suggestions, I did some calculating: food costs, inventory lists, etc. I shared my ideas for order slips, food prep, and organization. Over the next few years, I worked as a shift manager, I helped navigate food transitions, food orders, and now through the transition to a newly built building.
The bible says that God has prepared good works for us to do. I truly believe that my time in the restaurant industry was preparation to help in this food booth. God has prepared me for this reason and this season. By no means is the success of the food booth MY credit. We have a very good fair committee and they each bring their gifts, their resources, their ideas, and we have improved the function of this together. I feel that I have had a great opportunity to serve and bring my unique talents and abilities to bless the organization at large. His divine anointing on your life will manifest itself, anytime you flow in what God has created you for, in any season and for His specific reason.
As I look back over the last 5 years and my involvement, I get excited to see how far we have come, but I also look to the future. I know that God is moving me on from my position here, and I know that this season will come to a close, but I look at my serving and I ask, “am I leaving this place better than I entered because of my contribution?” “Would what I have done, and whom I have impacted, bring God glory?”, “Is God proud of the job I have done?” I think that AS we serve, we need to keep the end in mind. Some seasons will be longer than others, and we must not grow weary in well doing, we must serve God with all diligence to the end. To the end of our season and to the end of our lives. From filling fruit cups to a brand new fair booth, I have learned the value of not forsaking the day of small beginnings.
I love the organization I am involved with and I look forward to other opportunities God will provide in the future. I pray that as you look at your life, as you look at the people and groups you serve with and impact, you look for the opportunities to use your God-given talents, abilities, ideas and time to serve God and others. I pray that as you examine what you have done, and where you have been, you look to the reason and the season God has you in, and you ask Him to show you what He has prepared for you.
Father God we thank you for these opportunities you give us, in our Church, in our homes, in our communities, in our regions. We thank you that you have prepared good works for us to do, and we pray that all we say, do, and think would bring you Glory and be for our Good. We pray that you would use us, for your reasons, in your seasons, and that we would make the most of our time. We thank you for the opportunities and we pray that as we serve, we do it exceptionally well because it is all for you, in Jesus Name, Amen.
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 (AMP)
All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. II Corinthians 4:15 (NLT)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12 (NKJV)
The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ Matthew 25:21 (NLT)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2018
roadcrew 40|3 