Some believers don't think their part is very important. Maybe all God has directed them to do so far is work in the nursery at church, and they don't feel like they're accomplishing much. But, the fact is, there are no unimportant jobs in the kingdom of God!
Every person plays a vital role. Every one of us is crucial to the fulfillment of the overall mission. Even if we can't see how that's true, we must just trust the Lord, keep our eye on the big picture, and be obedient to do whatever the Holy Spirit leads us to do.
If we'll do that, He will most certainly do for us what He did for His first disciples. If we follow Him, He will make us "fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). Does that mean we'll all hold big meetings and preach to thousands like Billy Graham? No.
The Lord will send some of us next door to talk to the neighbor. He'll send others of us downtown to an office, or to college, or to work in places of government to reach the people there. He'll send still others halfway around the world to other nations.
Why? Because there are all kinds of precious "fish" out there and the Lord wants to reach them all. Some kinds of fish can be caught with a net and multitudes of them can be brought in at once. Other kinds of fish must be caught one at a time in deep waters with a big rod and reel. There are even fish that can be caught by the shoreline with a flimsy cane pole!
So don't be concerned when you see somebody fishing for souls differently than you do. Don't judge them and think they ought to be doing what you do. And don't get down on yourself, either. We all have different fish to catch. We're supposed to do things differently. So stop looking at everybody else. Just keep your eyes on the Master. Follow Him and fish the way He leads you to!
Maybe today you don't feel like you have the ability to be a fisherman at all. You may feel more like the worm on the end of the fishing hook. But, take heart! The Bible has good news for you. It says, "Fear not, you worm Jacob...I will help you, says the Lord; ...Behold, I will make you to be a new, sharp, threshing sledge with sharp teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and make the hills like chaff" (Isa. 41:14-15 NKJ).
As you follow Jesus, He will make you into a mighty instrument for Him. He did it for Peter, and He will do it for you. Peter was so frightened of even a little girl that he denied Jesus. Yet Jesus was able to turn him into a preacher so bold he won 3,000 souls to the Lord in a day. He can do the same for you.
How will He begin the process? The same way He began it with His disciples 2,000 years ago. Matthew 10:1 tells us that when He was preparing to send them out on their mission to penetrate the darkness of the world with the light of the Gospel, He called them, first and foremost, to Himself.
I don't know everywhere God will call you to go as you do your part to fulfill His mission on the earth, but I do know this. The first place He will call you is into fellowship with Him. For it is in His presence that you will receive your orders.
It is in times spent with Him in worship, prayer, and the Word that you will hear His voice and discover His perfect will for you. It is in knowing Him that you will receive the power and the plans you need to become a true ambassador of Christ.
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A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”
