"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10

God is constantly teaching us, isn't He?

I'm so thankful that He lovingly reminds us of His plan and purpose for our lives.  And He does it in all sorts of ways.

Take for instance what happened a few weeks ago during our Sunday evening service at church.  We arrived at church about 15-20 minutes before the service was to begin.  We try to get there a little early to get our 5 month old baby boy, Jacob, to the nursery before making our way to our seats.

Only this time, no one was in the nursery!

We checked the schedule to see who was supposed to be in the nursery for the evening and noticed that this lady wasn't at church yet. Probably just running behind, we thought.

Shortly before the service began, the lady arrived.   But, instead of walking back to the nursery, she sat down in a pew and pulled out her Bible, ready for the evening message.

She never did come to the nursery that evening.

And so, my wife stayed in the nursery with Jacob during our service.  She took the place of the lady who was scheduled for watching the babies.

Now, I don't know why the lady didn't show up for her turn in the nursery.  (and, for the record, we weren't mad or upset or anything - it really wasn't a big deal)  Perhaps she didn't feel well that night.  More than likely, she just forgot it was her turn.

But, God used the situation to ask me a simple question...

...how often do we allow others to take our place?  How often do we allow someone else to do what we are supposed to be doing?

For example:  How often to do we let someone else take our place when it comes to witnessing?  Do we visit that neighbor next door or do we resign ourselves to waiting on someone else to do it?

What about our praise?  Do we worship the Lord freely...or do we allow someone else to take our place?

And what about our service to the Kingdom?  Whether it is teaching Sunday School or working in the nursery or being involved with the youth, are we actively serving the Kingdom of God...

...or have we allowed someone else to do what we are supposed to be doing?

Is there some specific thing that the Lord has laid upon our hearts that we know He has called us to do?  And yet, we wait and allow someone else to take our place?

You see, there are things that the Lord has designed us specifically to do.  I can never be a witness at YOUR workplace...but YOU can.  You'll more than likely never be able to minister to the elderly down at the nursing home in my town...but I can.    I can't teach Sunday school at your church and you can't work in the nursery at mine...but we each can serve the Lord in the pathways that He puts us in.

Don't let satan fool you...God has some wonderful plans for your life.  He has things in store that He has already equipped you to do.  The question is, will you do what God is speaking to you about right now?

Or, will you let someone else take your place?

Let us emphatically surrender our lives to the Lord's will and shout from our hearts...

...Nobody's gonna take my place!

When Jesus comes back, may He find us faithful.

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!