“Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you and remain as you were when God first called you” (1 Corinthians 7:17, NLT).
Recently, I was rummaging through boxes in the basement and came across a Buzz Lightyear action figure. I purchased the toy for my youngest son when our family visited Disney World several years ago. Buzz was Garrett’s constant companion during his toddler years.
In the original film, Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear believes he is a superhero assigned to the role of protecting the galaxy from evil. For Buzz, his perception was his reality—that is until Buzz was confronted by the reality that he is a child’s action figure. The realization of his true role propels Buzz into a deep depression.
However, Buzz eventually learned that he is more than a simple toy. He is dearly cherished by his childhood friend, Andy. Buzz ultimately recognized that his value lay in the joy and companionship he brought into Andy’s life.
In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote, “Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you…”. In part, Paul was encouraging new converts to maintain the roles to which they were called before they became followers of Jesus. If one was married before becoming a Christian that person should remain true to their marriage vows. If an individual was a carpenter, changing vocations was not necessary.
Yet Paul also was addressing a larger issue. The role to which God calls us is more powerful than any other we might choose for ourselves. Simply put, God challenges us to bloom where we are planted.
Though you may not be assigned to teach the gifted class, God may have placed you in a typical classroom to elevate each student’s capacity to embrace learning. While your child may not be awarded the lead in the annual school play, you can encourage her to excel in the secondary role to which she is assigned.
To be certain, all of us go through seasons of life that we would prefer not to be. However, God welcomes us to make the most of and grow through every circumstance in which we find ourselves—to even leave the situation better than we found it.
So, regardless of the role that you currently occupy, my hope for you is that you excel in everything you do. To infinity and beyond!
Recently, I was rummaging through boxes in the basement and came across a Buzz Lightyear action figure. I purchased the toy for my youngest son when our family visited Disney World several years ago. Buzz was Garrett’s constant companion during his toddler years.
In the original film, Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear believes he is a superhero assigned to the role of protecting the galaxy from evil. For Buzz, his perception was his reality—that is until Buzz was confronted by the reality that he is a child’s action figure. The realization of his true role propels Buzz into a deep depression.
However, Buzz eventually learned that he is more than a simple toy. He is dearly cherished by his childhood friend, Andy. Buzz ultimately recognized that his value lay in the joy and companionship he brought into Andy’s life.
In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote, “Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you…”. In part, Paul was encouraging new converts to maintain the roles to which they were called before they became followers of Jesus. If one was married before becoming a Christian that person should remain true to their marriage vows. If an individual was a carpenter, changing vocations was not necessary.
Yet Paul also was addressing a larger issue. The role to which God calls us is more powerful than any other we might choose for ourselves. Simply put, God challenges us to bloom where we are planted.
Though you may not be assigned to teach the gifted class, God may have placed you in a typical classroom to elevate each student’s capacity to embrace learning. While your child may not be awarded the lead in the annual school play, you can encourage her to excel in the secondary role to which she is assigned.
To be certain, all of us go through seasons of life that we would prefer not to be. However, God welcomes us to make the most of and grow through every circumstance in which we find ourselves—to even leave the situation better than we found it.
So, regardless of the role that you currently occupy, my hope for you is that you excel in everything you do. To infinity and beyond!