Blessed To Serve

 "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9


      God calls each of us to serve.  He has a special plan for each of us.  There are ways for each of us to serve Him that no one else can...   It has been in the works since long before we were even born.   He sometimes gives us special skills or talents that can be used to build up the body or the community in which we live and work.  He calls us to serve in different ways.   Some serve in the Church, some in the community, some in both... but everyone has their very own special something that is needed.   Many of us have jobs.   Many of us have gravitated into the job or career in which we work because we felt that God was calling us to it....   Sometime we love our jobs.  Sometimes our jobs can be a real pain in the keister.  It's not always "fun" to serve.  But then again at least some of us are blessed enough to have jobs, even if we aren't always happy in them.   I have some friends who would love to be working right now, but for a variety of reasons can't.  We all long to do what God has planned for us.  Sometimes we are called to serve in a place other than the workplace.  Maybe our family needs us.  Maybe a volunteer organization needs that special something that only you can give.   We think we have to work....  sometimes we think we have to work all the time...  But as we discussed a few weeks ago, there is a season for everything.   There are times when I just dread going into work, but sometimes I enjoy it so much that I forget I am even working.  I was just talking with a friend this afternoon.  He reminded me that sometimes we are just blessed ourselves to be able to work in fields that we love.  To be able to earn our livings doing things that we would gladly do for free.  What a cool thing is that!        
       But I am also reminded that my friends who are not working, are serving God, by being there for their families and friends too.   I have some friends whom  I am so thankful for who have been able to be there only because God allowed them the free time to be there when they were so badly needed.  What a blessing.  We sometimes get so bogged down in thinking about the what if's that we don't see the blessing in stuff like that.  
       I know that sometimes I get discouraged by days full of meetings where everyone wants what you can't give them.  Or when I want to do something and go somewhere and I can't cause I have to work.  And yet on other days I am encouraged by some small thing that happens that makes me want to do the "happy dance" around the office.   What I try to remember is this.... I am there to serve God.  Not to please man.  I work at the pleasure of my Lord.   I serve at the pleasure of my Lord.  Wherever.  Whenever.  Whether I feel like it or not.  That is what I was made to do.  God knows the plans He has for us....  what a wonderful thing...   It's got to make you wonder.  
      Dear Lord,   Thanks for the opportunity to do your will.  Thanks for giving me the tools and the talents that I need to do it.  I am so glad to be able to serve.  I am thankful for others who serve You too.  Help me to remember that no matter where I am, no matter what I am doing, it should be for Your glorification or for the edification of others.   And thanks for not punishing me as I deserve when I grumble about it....   Thanks for the little things that You do just when I really need a "pick me up" to remind me that You are there with me.