Me? Are You Sure?

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Someone once said that the only constant in the world is change.

There is a grain of truth in that.

As the new year approaches, I find my life in a state of flux.

I now find myself in a position of leadership in my church.

Many of my Christian friends have also informed me that their walk of faith is in a state of transition as well. They are experiencing changes in the ways they serve God.

As for me, I was approached in October 2010 to make this transition and I really had to prayerfully consider it.

This was not a position I had ever planned on accepting. In fact, I had turned others down when asked in years past. It was nothing personal. This time, things were different. I felt that this time God was leading me to accept this position.

I have always relied on that passage of scripture from Philippians in the past. This time, God led me with it and with two additional passages as well.

Hebrews 11:8 (KJV) - By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

I certainly could relate to that. If I were to accept this position, I would certainly be entering unfamiliar territory. If I honestly believed God were leading me in this direction, I too should obey His leading.

Then, there was a second passage of scripture that spoke volumes to me.

Luke 12:48b (KJV) - For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

I acknowledge that any ability I have comes from God and that He expects me to use such ability in service to Him. That, coupled with the fact that my church has done so much for me in my spiritual growth, convinced me that it is now time for me to serve my church in ways I had not before considered.

Will this take me outside my comfort zone? Yes.

Is this going to be a learning experience for me? Undoubtedly.

Yet, that is how we as Christians both grow and mature.

I also realized that I was not going to be able to do all the things I had been doing and take on new responsibilities as well.

I was going to have to sit down and determine what roles I would continue to fill and what roles I would relinquish.

With His help I determined those functions which I originally felt Him calling me to do and decided to keep doing those things.

Although painful, I opted to step down from a committee on which I had served for four years.

As I stated before, many of my Christian friends tell me their spiritual walk is in a state of transition.

Yet, we must each trust that God is in charge and that He will put us exactly where He wants us to be doing exactly what He wants us to do. We can take comfort in the fact that He will walk with us each step of the way.

As we enter a new year, I encourage you to make yourself available to His leading.

Philippians 2:13 (KJV) - For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of (His) good pleasure.


Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, January 7, 2011.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I'll be back here on Friday, January 14, 2011.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.