I love to have guests come to my house. So, I figured why not have a few guests come to my blog? Welcome Wednesday is a new feature we’re trying out.
My guests will be writing about different topics regarding purpose. Today’s post is by Chris Morris, a writer by choice and CPA by profession. Chris shares about a time he accidentally found purpose.
Not a small group leader
“Our church needs another small group leader. You and your wife are going to do it.” I told John he was nuts.
Photo by Dzz, morgueFile Free Photo, www.morguefile.com.
My wife and I had only been married for 18 months. We had a two-year-old. We were both a mess. We came from broken homes. We had never led a small group.
I kept giving excuses, doing my best impression of Moses at the burning bush.
John patiently listened to each one as I whined my way through my rejection of his offer.
Then he hit me square in the jaw with these words:
“Chris, I know you can do this. Beyond that, I know you are called to do this. If you feel unready and inadequate, perfect. I would be more worried if you felt fully competent for this job. We don’t just need a small group leader, Chris, we need YOU as a small group leader. Trust me.”
Me, called to lead in this church? Sure, I had a degree in Biblical Studies, but I was drowning in my own life. I wasn’t ready. I did trust John, however. I said, “Yes.”
When tragedy strikes
In the course of nine months the following sad events happened in the lives of our small group members:
- Brain surgery
- The death of a father
- The death of a brother
- Two divorces
- One flooded house
- One miscarriage
We were not trained to handle these crazy events. So, we went with our instincts. We poured our lives and love into the hearts of our broken-hearted friends. We told our small group to do anything less was to disobey God. They listened.
Each time a tragedy hit a person in our small group, they knew they were not alone.
John told my wife and I he was proud of us. We led our group down the path of selflessness. Our instincts born from confusion on how to “manage” the situations built something unexpected into our young group: deep affection and care for one another.
It built a willingness to give even when it hurt because somebody else had need.
Purpose by accident
At the end of our small group semester, John said:
“I knew your time was now. I knew your purpose in this season was to lead. Now, we both see why.”
God sometimes sneaks up on us with His purpose for our lives. A friend suggests something to us. An opportunity pops up out of thin air. Conversations with different people all end up in the same place with the same idea. A burst of creativity to build a ministry or a not-for-profit organization or a school program explodes in our mind, even when we are not moving in that direction.
When this happens, don’t overlook it or write it off as coincidence. Often this is God whispering our purpose, if even just for a season.
Let’s choose to act on those whispers. Let’s choose to risk it all and see what happens. We just might surprise ourselves.
What is God whispering to you today about purpose?
Chris is a writer by choice, a CPA by profession, and a happily married father of four all the time. He writes about how faith and real life can collide in the brokenness of life, while still holding on to hope. Oh, and he is completely addicted to various forms of caffeine, most notably French press coffee and Diet Mountain Dew. He blogs at http://www.chrismorriswrites.com.
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Teresa Shields Parker is a Christian weight loss author, coach, podcaster, and speaker, who has lost 250 pounds and kept it off since 2013. Her books include: “Reconnecting Jayne: Her Sister’s Support,” “Rebuilding Jayne: Her Father’s Protection,” “Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor,” “Sweet Grace Study Guide,” “Sweet Victory: Winning the Battle,” “Sweet Surrender: Breaking Strongholds,” “Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy”, “Sweet Freedom: Losing Weight and Keeping It Off With God’s Help,” “Sweet Freedom Study Guide,” “Sweet Change: True Stories of Transformation,” “Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God,” and “Sweet Excuses: Stop Lying to Yourself & Start Losing Weight.” She also offers Overcomers Christian Weight Loss Academy and VIP intensive coaching. Don’t miss her weekly podcast, Sweet Grace for Your Journey, where she shares tips from her personal journey of losing weight and discovering healthy living. Contact her at [email protected].
I love that the pastor (I assume he was the pastor) saw the promise in you. In too many churches, they always ask the same people to lead, and often these people are good at being prominent but not good at anything that really matters, such as being humble or compassionate. They haven’t “walked the walk,” they just know how to “talk the talk.”
Kathleen, this elder changed my life. In more ways than one. One of my favorite people of all time. Looking back, I see the risk he took, especially in such a young leader, and it was very brave really. You’re right, new leaders are not often seen in many churches, but John just stepped in and picked us.
Really nice you TWO!
Thanks!
I agree with Kathleen. Another of servant of God saw something of valuable in you. All that was needed was a willing heart. You and your wife fulfilled that need. Your blessings will be pressed down and over flowing. Thank you for sharing your life.
I completely agree Shelley. I wonder, have you ever accidentally stepped into your purpose, only to notice it later?
I’m reminded of the verse found in Esther 4:14b, “And who know whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I’m so thankful that John recognized God leading you and your wife into this ministry and that you were obedient. Wonderfully encouraging story.
The cool part is that my wife and I have led small groups for over a decade now. Plus we have been involved in many other leadership capacities within churches. All because John called our purpose out of us in that moment