God has placed you exactly where you are because only you can fill that niche. He always has it just right, so seek God’s will where you are and in what you do!
This is Joni Eareckson Tada sharing hope.
And you know how you can read a verse a hundred times, then, suddenly, you see something you never noticed before? Well, that’s what happened when I recently read 1 Corinthians 12:18. The apostle Paul is speaking about the body of Christ, and he says, “God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” Okay, I know you’re thinking, “What’s so unusual about that?” right? But here’s the thing: I was reading this verse at the close of a note that my friend, Kim, had sent me. And nothing was unusual about it, except that Kim had underlined the word “just.”
I paused for a moment and pondered that underlined word. Because every word in Scripture, we know, is inspired by the Spirit of God, right? So, why did Paul write that little word “just”? Well, it means “exactly” or “specifically,” which also means God has a unique role just for me – and just for you. You’re living where you are, doing what you’re doing, and surrounded by the people with whom you live and work because you are the only one who can fit and fill that niche. God has carved it out just for you. When it comes to where you live and relating to the people you’re around every day, you fit.
In fact, when you think about it, 1 Corinthians 12:18 is a little like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Because when it comes to your place in the kingdom, things aren’t too hot, they’re not too cold, too soft or too hard, or too big or too small. God has got it “just right.” You may not realize it, but your church needs you. Your spouse may not understand it, but you are the one perfectly matched for him – or her, as the case may be. Your kids may not get the point, but you are the mother or father perfectly designed to raise them best. Your friends would be missing something – a big something – were you not in their lives. And if you don’t see how you fit, or how you’re matched, or the “something” your friends are missing, then seek what God wants you to do, or say, or be in all these relationships, because God’s got you right – just right. And it’s us who need to have the eyes of our hearts opened to what’s really going on around us.
You can’t miss God’s will for your life – unless, that is, you’re off on some sinful path. Friend, you are smack in the middle of it. So open your eyes. This is where and how you fit. So, how are you going to let that piece of information infiltrate your actions and thoughts today? What does that mean regarding the so-called “mundane” aspects of your life? Well, as you go about the everyday-ness of life – chopping veggies for dinner, submitting that essay to your professor, having lunch with a co-worker, signing up for a church committee – ask God to bring to mind the thought that you are the perfect person to be in that place. God has arranged all the parts of the body just as he wants them to be, so thank him for selecting you to be where you’re at and who you’re with today.
And hey, if you think these words might be encouraging to someone you know, then find Joni and Friends on Facebook and share this with a co-worker or fellow student, or maybe a family member, or somebody at church. Or visit my radio page and post a comment at joniradio.org. Again, that’s joniradio.org. Because 1 Corinthians 12:18 is really worth sharing, for – let me repeat it – “God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” Today, join me in celebrating that word “just” – because God always has it just right. Oh, and one more thing – I want to send you a copy of our Joni and Friends newsletter. So just go to joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends