A Proper Fit

A new year has begun for Community Bible Study-Rutherfordton Day Class and what an adventure it is.  Some are new to CBS this year, some have been around for years and some have shifted positions, taking a leadership role this year.  Is anyone wondering, “What have I gotten myself into?” “Why did I agree to do this; this is really hard?” 

Are you perhaps feeling like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole?  Even those of us who seem to have it all together feel that way.  Trying to get every I dotted and every T crossed in our lessons, getting acclimated to a new Core Group leader, and meeting new ladies that you’ll spend thirty weeks with being real and sharing thoughts can feel daunting and challenging. We may second guess ourselves, and that's okay, as long as we are fitting into God's plan with our focus on Him.

Think about a puzzle: some puzzle pieces fit in perfectly, while others just don't seem to fit anywhere.  If we persevere and get the whole puzzle together then we can stand back and see how every piece had its place and how each piece needed the ones around it to make a complete picture. 

That is the way I see each of us in CBS. God has given us talents and gifts to use to complete His beautiful picture.  Each of us is here because God made it clear that we are to be here.  When He calls, He equips.  Each of us has different talents and abilities and personalities, which He expects us to use uniquely as individuals.  We aren't to try to do things like the person next to us, because we aren't that person, but we are to work together in unity and harmony to achieve the goal of providing an in-depth and caring Bible study available to all. 

Maybe some ladies feel that their talents and abilities are nothing special.   In Exodus 31:1-11, God, through Moses, appointed skilled craftsmen to construct the Tabernacle and all its furnishings, but it also states that God GAVE these craftsmen their abilities.  It says in verses 3 & 6 that God filled them with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and all kinds of craftsmanship and PUT skill into them. 

However, it took more than these few men that are named to complete the whole Tabernacle.  There were many workers who gathered fuel for the metal workers to use in the refining process for the gold, silver and bronze.  Others hand stitched the various fabric items needed.  There were those who carried water to quench the thirst of the sweaty workers.  Some gathered wood to build the furnishings.  It took EVERYONE working together, doing what they could, the best they could to complete the task that God had commanded.  They were working as a body.

Just as our body parts have varied functions, but are all necessary for complete physical health, so all the workers functioned together as a unit, for a common purpose.  Individually each person was just a puzzle piece, but when they all came together and put their piece(s) to work where they fit, a great structure became a reality.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." 

                                                                               Colossians 3:23

Each of us has been called to be a part of God's perfect picture, not because we are perfect, but because God is putting the pieces of our lives together to honor and glorify Him.  Each of us is unique and special and nobody else’s puzzle piece will fit where yours is meant to fit.  One of my favorite Bible verses is II Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” 

So as we have embarked on this study of Corinthians, I encourage each of us to look to God for guidance and not compare ourselves with each other.  We are all workmen together.

Prayer: “Lord help each of us see where the puzzle piece of our life fits into your plan and then give each of us the skill to use the talents and abilities you have given us to further your Kingdom.  Amen.”

by Lorna Hawley

Core Group Leader