We ALL have to start somewhere. Everything begins with a piece.  I don’t know about you, but there are many days which I feel all over the place – as if my life is an unorganized mess. That can really be overwhelming. I mean it literally feels as if my mind runs nonstop!!! Many times my mind literally jumps from one thing to another causing me to feel like I am not equipped to do anything. It is in these very moments that I need to stop, take a deep breath and slow down. Always easier said than done, but I am finding that when I take the time to be conscious of the chaos and re-center my mind, that is when I am capable of being most productive. Tackling things one at a time is the only way to truly give your all to the task at hand.

We live in a culture where we all want everything to happen immediately, especially when we are overwhelmed. But being impatient causes us to disregard the importance of the step by step process and many times is what prevents  us from finishing what we start.  Let’s think of a puzzle for example:

A puzzle consists of many different pieces which fit together to create a big picture.  Like a puzzle, we all have our own unique roles to play in life.  God created us each with a specific purpose in mind.  In a puzzle if you try to insert the wrong piece no matter how many ways you try it, it will not fit.  In life, if someone else tries to do what God created us to do, results will not be the same  – no one else will be the right fit to do what we are called to do.

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12(NLT)

We are each a piece so unique that the whole can’t function without us because we were created to compliment others. We are at our best when we surround ourselves with like-minded people that God created us to be in relationship with. But, when we live in isolation cut off from those who were created to encourage and uplift us, we will fall. Without support and accountability we become open prey for depression, pride and self-centeredness to come in and consume our spirits.

Fellowship goes two ways, so when we are either too afraid or too impatient to play our destined role, we cut others off from the roles we are destined to play in their lives and consequently they too may fail, lose or fall.

Let’s be honest, what if we were given everything right up front without putting in the sweat to create – would we really appreciate the final product?  Many times we want things to happen instantly because growth can be uncomfortable. Who wants to feel overwhelmed, confused, and caught up in a struggle? I know I don’t.  In my past I wallowed in self-pity and allowed emotions, heartaches and losses to consume me. I knew the feeling of emptiness very well. But, I have learned to embrace the storms of life and seek to learn the lesson God is trying to teach me. In my weakest moment a few years ago the Holy Spirit revealed to me that he has my best interest at heart. He gently taught me that although someone left me broken, feeling unloved, and unwanted:  I still have value.

Do you ever feel like you don’t matter? As if you hold no value to the most important person in your life? If you feel this way, please know that is a lie the enemy wants you to believe. His goal is to keep you feeling defeated and worthless.  I once was there and there are still many times I feel unworthy. But God disagrees completely.  It is in our darkest moments that God desires we seek his face and turn to him. Loss doesn’t have to break us. Loss is used to break away anything negative that holds us back from becoming the “perfect fit” for our calling.

When we accept his calling over our lives, the pieces will start to fit one by one. We will no longer sit frustrated trying to force pieces in our lives that don’t fit. We will no longer beg others to care.  When we admit to Jesus, Our Comforter, that we are weak and need him that is when he will begin his great work in our lives. When we surrender to his purpose for our lives, we will begin to understand just how important our unique role is in God’s master plan.

Everything we go through is not for ourselves. Our struggles are meant to be used to help someone else out of a similar situation. Will you allow it? Turn your darkest moments around and use them to encourage and uplift someone today. Will you embrace the many ways that you have been created to fit into God’s important plan and seek to be a blessing to someone today?

Father God,

Thank you for creating us for greater.  Help us to be open to being used by you.  Strengthen us for the unique role you created us for.  Heal our hearts from every disappointment and allow us to see that good can come from the darkest moments in our lives.  Build us up Lord Jesus so that we will make the choice to allow you to direct our steps.  Teach us patience Father God as we allow you to restore, renew and build our lives piece by piece.

In Jesus name,

Amen