you lead, i'll follow...

A couple days ago, I opened up my computer to receive an encouraging email from my father in law (I hate to call him this because he really is like a full-fledge father to me, not an "in-law" but whatever).  JUST so you get the picture, I used the term.  So, anywho, he forwarded all of us (the kids) an email of Rick Warren's Daily Hope (devotional).  He often sends them to us when he gets a good one.  Take a minute to read the following:

But God in his grace chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him. Galatians 1:15a 

Pastor Rick has been teaching us about the way God calls us into his plans for our lives.

Your calling is a gift from God. He doesn’t call a few select saints to serve him. “[God] first save[s] us and then call[s] us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it”. (2 Timothy 1:9 MSG)

This means ordinary people with children and jobs and mortgages and really, really full calendars — in other words, people just like you and me — are called to be ministers from God.

The Bible teaches that every Christian is:

• Created for ministry (Ephesians 2:10)
• Saved for ministry (2 Timothy 1:9)
• Called into ministry (1 Peter 2:9-10)
• Gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10)
• Authorized for ministry (Matthew 28:18–20)
• Commanded to minister (Matthew 20:26–28)
• Prepared for ministry (Ephesians 4:11–12)
• Needed for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• Accountable for and rewarded according to his or her ministry (Colossians 3:23–24)

You are among “the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you . . .” (1 Peter 2:9 MSG).

Talk about it -

• God shaped you for ministry. The God of the universe shaped you uniquely to make a contribution in this world and the world to come.
• God will support you in ministry. There is no way you can fail in your mission unless you fail to accept the calling.
• God will answer your questions. Ask God how he wants you to contribute. Ask him how he wants to use the way he’s created you to uniquely serve him. Ask God, “What kind of God-legacy do you want me to leave?”

So, basically in a nutshell, in case you were lazy with a capital L and didn't read through it, we are ALL called to minister in some way or another in this ONE life we've been given on earth.  We each have a gift (maybe you have multiple) that we are given specifically to serve Him.  No specific gift is greater than another - I used to believe that; trust me! I have a sister, brother in law, and 4 nieces and nephews that have served over seas for YEARS (yes, raising their 4 young children for their entire childhood in a foreign country - which they call "home").  So, it always seemed to me that her work was FAR greater than anything I could ever do in serving.  Nope, nada, zip, incorrect, NOT TRUE!  We are each given specific gifts and callings to worship Him, love Him, praise Him, minister, spread His name to all nations, and live a life ALL for Him.

Whenever I've been asked what my gift is, my mind goes straight to children.  I've spent my whole life with a passion for loving babies, toddlers, and children that grow into amazing young adults (yes - watching the process and being involved in it makes me feel o-l-d. - but that's another emotional and sappy story).  Back on topic.  I've been a huge part (if I do say so myself) of MANY babies and toddlers lives on into their elementary years which are HUGE developmental years for a human being.  It really hit me one day, the impact I have on many children's lives.  Melanie Tharrington, mom of Maddie, who I've logged hours on end watching and playing with since I was 12 and she was 6 months old, yes - she left me with her 6 month old at 12 years old).  We both laugh about it to this day, but come to the agreement that it was "just different."  I was like a 18 year old trapped in a 12 year old's body.  I've always been like that.  ("wise beyond my years" as my sister in law ruthie JUST told me last night as we were talking on the phone). Yeah, yeah, whatever.  But it's true.  I've always been friends with people older than me and just connected with them.  Okay, back on topic, Jackie-Lane.  (Do you like how I just type exactly how my mind is thinking?)  Maddie's mom told me just a year or so ago that Maddie was at school (or a little-bible-study with school friends) and was asked who one of the most influential people in her life (spiritually) has been, and you know what she said? "Miss Jackie-Lane."  I wasn't even there! But I can assure you when Melanie told me that, I started tearing up big time.  What an impact that story has made on me and will never leave me as long as I live.

Maddie at my bridal shower at CCC - can you believe I started watching her at 6 months? Boo hoo!

To know that through my job, babysitting/nannying, and having the honor to love on so many children, has really impacted them and shaped them to help them become who they are today and forever in their future, is so rewarding. So honoring. So HUGE.

And as I open my bible every night to read (okay, not EVERY but I'm getting better), I come across the sweet handwritten note, written in June 2006 that says "Our sweet Miss Jackie-Lane, Out of all the ways your presence has blessed us, your love for Christ and sharing it with Maddie has blessed us the most."  A sweet leather bible that the Tharrington's gave me when I was 16 is the bible that I still use, now as a married woman.  That bible has been through many peaks, valleys, rivers, and mountains with me.  Through huge moments in my life.  And it's still the same.  It never changes, it stays true.  Hebrews 13:8 says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever."  And so is his word.

So figure out what your gift is.  What is your calling in this life?  Why are you here? Go use your gifts. Go ON - if you've lasted this long in reading my jargon, then you're wasting your time and you have no life! Okay - just kidding, I spend three times as long writing it (thankful for morning naps, sweet Eva!)

Shine your light, let everyone know who YOU are living for and be a minister for God (after all, it's what you were called to do!)

Thanks for walking with us,
JL