picturesfromheaven

quilt

This has been an exciting day. Our Shorewood Campus of CLC was launched today and they had over 100 1st time guests. My son Brent is the Director of Student Ministries and they had their winter retreat that was a huge success, the anointing change teen's lives. I was able to chat with my daughter who is a missionary in South Africa. AND...I am leaving in the morning for 4 days in the sun. I am one happy camper. But most of all I am excited about what God is about to do with all of us as we work TOGETHER to see His purposes accomplished. God bless you as you consider the following picture.

Picture… a group of very happy, sociable women getting ready to put together a quilt. Each one had brought a piece of fabric and they were excitedly showing off their small pieces of material. They were all so proud of the pieces that they were contributing to the making of the quilt. Although no one called them to order, it was like they all had an inner witness that it was time to start and they all sat down to begin sewing their pieces together. You can’t really see what they are doing, but when they are finished they step back and you can see that the design on the quilt is in the shape of the world. The quilt wasn’t made out of fancy fabrics, just the materials that they had on hand. And to be honest it wasn’t all that attractive. But you would never have guessed it by the great joy in the room. Every woman had a piece in the making of the quilt and they had offered it with joy and expectation.

Hear…the Lord say, “Don’t hold back because you think your piece of material isn’t as colorful as someone else’s, or as large or as strategically placed. Every piece is important to My purposes on this earth. You are a child of honor of value and honor and purpose. You have given, but there is more that you have been withholding. The work is not going to be completed until you do what you have been told to do.”

Consider: A puzzle is not complete until all of the pieces have been placed together. Whatever you have, whatever you can contribute, do it, and do it with joy. Don’t worry about fitting in. Don’t worry that you may not be as gifted as some people you know, or that your gift is not as important. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You have been brought into the kingdom for such a time as this. You are the key. Don’t hesitate just because you are not like someone else whom you admire. God doesn’t make cookie cutter Christians. He has created you unique and special. I don’t know what you are gifted at, you may be a terrific baker; I am not. Sometimes I forget to put in an ingredient. Do you know what those things taste like? I am amazed at women who can comfort the hurting and the wounded by baking them great pastry. I am in wonder at the women who can throw together a terrific dress out of scrap fabric and give it to someone in need. I am in awe of women who can organize an office at the blink of an eye to ease the stress of their co-workers. Obviously, the list could go on and on. Whoever you are, whatever you have, you are the key ingredient. Give of yourself joyfully to touch the world. Oh yes, something else the Lord wants you to know, “He doesn’t forget. He hasn’t forgotten you. He knows where you are and the idea that He birthed within your heart for you to do. Keep doing what you are doing, until the appointed time and the bigger picture will unfold for you.”

Pray: “God, I’m sorry if I have held back a bit because of fear. I really don’t want the fear of failure, the unknown or what other people will say stop me anymore from doing what I know you want me to do. Lord, I give my life to you joyfully, knowing that my little part is important to your purposes. Give me courage to step up to the challenge. Give me wisdom to know when and how. Most of all give me grace to give joyfully of my little piece, knowing that you are going to take it and use it in a wonderful way to touch the world. I love you so much. I trust you enough to give you my piece for the quilt, and to do it joyfully and with expectation of return. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

posted by pastorc @ 5:47 PM