Scripture: He turned over the plans for everything that God’s Spirit had brought to his mind: the design of the courtyards, the arrangements of rooms, and the closets for storing all the holy things…. (Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:12, 20 MSG)
Many years ago. I ran a small writing group. Once a month we would all gather and share our poetry, some refreshments and lots of laughter. Then the director over our program relocated and someone else took over. Soon, a new writing group director was appointed (my ‘time’ was limited to two years) and I had to step down to allow the next person to have a chance to be the lead. It was hard for me because I started the group. I promoted it, called people to remind them to come, passed out flyers in the community (this was before social media) and came to the venue early every month to set up. Even if only one other writer showed up, I was happy. I drove through snowstorms to get there and I spent many beautiful summer evenings indoors with my fellow writers. After two years of being the “leader”, I was beginning to feel burnt out. I no longer became excited for our monthly meetings. I was tired. So when it was time for the next meeting, I asked if anyone else would be willing to step up and take the lead. My request was met with silence. Finally, someone spoke up and said “But YOU started it! YOU should be the leader!” I explained that I wanted someone else to have the opportunity to lead the group for awhile and that I would still attend the meetings and help out wherever I was needed. One of our younger members volunteered to take over. I supported her by attending each month, sharing the templates for the flyers and giving her ideas for writing prompts, etc. I eventually stepped away from the group altogether to pursue other things. And while it was bittersweet to leave the group I started, I was confident that I had left it with a strong foundation. In the scripture above, David had spent a LOT of time planning what the temple would look like. But then he had to hand the plans off to his son Solomon for Solomon to build it. What do you think that did to David’s ego? I’m sure he was a little let down that he would not be the one to build it, but he also knew that was not God’s plan for him. Whenever you are asked to step down from an assigned project so that someone else can have a chance to learn and grow, don’t take it to heart! See it as God giving someone else a chance to learn something new. Also see it as God giving YOU a chance to do something else. This usally happens when you have reached your potential in an assigned task, and now it’s time for you to set a new goal so that God can grow you even further. As you start your day today, thank God for all of the opportunities He has given you, and thank Him for all of the opportunities He will give you in the future. And in the meantime, work as hard as you can in the work that you are assigned. This way when your ‘time’ comes, you’ll be ready. |
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