"The Right FIt"

“The Right Fit”

The house in which I grew up had old-fashioned wooden screens and storm windows. Every fall my dad removed the screens and replaced them with the windows to keep us more comfortable during the winter and reversed the procedure for the warmer months. The sizes varied slightly so he put numbers on the inserts so they’d fit properly. This process continued for many years (with my brother’s and my help as we got older) until Dad sprung for the self-storing type years later.

Most of us have worked on jigsaw puzzles—simple ones used as educational toys when we were young then larger and more complicated ones as we got older. They remain popular—the clubhouse in our community has ten shelves of them for residents’ enjoyment (and possibly frustration at times). But whether they have ten or a thousand pieces they have this in common: each part has its specific place to make a complete picture.

When God gave instructions for transporting His tabernacle during Israel’s travels He was clear as to who was to do what. In Numbers 4:19 He told Moses and Aaron, “Aaron and his sons are to…assign each man his work and what he is to carry.” Without specific responsibilities chaos would have been likely. By clearly defining each one’s duties God was seeing to it that “…everything (was) done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

One of the most important resources which has been provided to the church is the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples His Father would send His Spirit to live in His people (“…He…will be in you.”—John 14:17), a promise which was fulfilled in Acts 2 and continues even today (“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”—Acts 2:39). And one way the Spirit’s power is shown is by His gifting for service. Our tasks vary according to the abilities He’s given (“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.”--! Corinthians 12:4) so Christ’s body, the church, can function effectively (“Under {Christ’s} direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly.”—Ephesians 4:16, NLT). While all are equal in His family (“…You are all one in Christ Jesus.”—Galatians 3:28) we’re not all the same (“We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has a different work to do.”—Romans 12:5, NLT). Somewhere you and I are the right fit—and as we carry out our ministry God’s work gets done and He’s glorified. So “…Let your light shine before (all), that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan