How They Found Their Roles
[By Caroline Piner]
It can be hard to know how you can best serve the Lord. You may feel like you have to do the same thing as someone else or that your options are limited by your situation, gender, strengths, weaknesses, etc. But God’s kingdom was never meant to have everyone in the same role or meant to limit your options. God has always wanted us to simply use the talents he’s given us to work for him.
People in the Bible served the Lord in many different ways and came into those roles in many different ways. Some were directly called. Moses was called by God to lead Israel (Ex. 3). Peter was called by Jesus to follow him and to spread the gospel to the world (Mk. 1:17; Matt. 28:19-20). Paul was called by the resurrected Jesus to also follow him and spread the gospel (Acts 9) and he wrote to and cared for many churches.
Not all were directly called by God but based on their knowledge of God, chose to serve him and they used their strengths for his work. Daniel resolved to follow God and to stay pure while in the king’s court (Dan. 1:8). He was a godly example to the Babylonians and Persians throughout his life, and was given the ability by God to interpret dreams and receive prophecy. Joseph (AKA Barnabas) used his talent of encouragement so effectively that his name was changed by Jesus’ apostles (Acts 4:36). He used this talent of encouragement as he journeyed with Paul and stood up for John Mark. Mary understood the importance of simply sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening (Luke 10:38-42). She then served Jesus by washing and anointing Jesus’ feet (John 12:1-8).
There were those who chose to follow God or to do the right thing for his people based on need. Rahab hid the spies in Canaan, though she did not lead a moral life or serve God (Josh. 2) and was saved and became a part of the lineage of Christ. Esther, though she did not act like one of God’s chosen people but partook in the excess of sin in Persia, became who she needed to be and was used by God to save the Jews from destruction. Nehemiah’s role was cupbearer to the king of Persia (Neh. 1:11), but once he learned of the distress of his people in Jerusalem, he took on the role of leader and governor to bring the people back to God and to keep them safe.
Today, we don’t get visions from God, calling us to a particular role. But God calls us to follow him and we are to use our strengths and our circumstances to find what role we can fill in the Lord’s church. Look for ways to spread God’s gospel, even if and when that means to go outside your comfort zone. He wants our hearts and our service, so let’s find where we can be useful.