If the Shoe Fits - Amy Sapp
There's nothing worse for your feet than wearing the wrong size shoe or even the wrong style of shoe. Sticking chubby feet into shoes that are too tight, but also ones that are too loose, that slip on and off as you walk.
Have you ever tried to walk in someone else's shoes? Maybe you stuck toilet paper in the toes so they would fit better? Maybe you were wearing heels that were way too high for you? You may do more falling or stumbling than actually going anywhere.
The same is true, when we try to compare our life's to the lives of others. Trying to walk in their footsteps. The mirror of comparison.
2 Cor. 10:12
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
Comparing yourself is a slippery slope. When the grass outside someone else's castle looks greener, we fall into the trap of the green monster of envy. Convinced that their life is a fairytale, and we wonder why ours is not. It turns into negative self-talk. We may drain our bank accounts, both material and mental to keep up the image. Maybe we pride ourselves with a princess attitude, or with a crown of books stacked on our head, one wrong move and our fake identity is revealed. And we once again are seen as common.
God's plans for us each are unique. It includes... Our temperament, our passions, our skills, and talents.. just the way the Lord wants us. When we realize OUR STORY with our unique design THAT is when we find our glass slipper. A shoe made perfectly for our feet. With the perfect fit, we can take on the world.
Let's settle the comparison game... Life and ministry are NOT a competition. We are each one of a kind. When God made our glass slipper he made it JUST FOR US. Step into your purpose. Be you and only you.
We may have a shared or common calling for ministry, but the way we carry it out may look different, based on the story God gave us personally.
God called me to be a wife, homemaker, friend, encourager, conference speaker, and Sunday school teacher. Daily, He is molding me in each of these areas.
What has the Lord called you to do?
My calling, nor your calling is better than the other. We can't say one is first and one is second. Don't put your calling into a locked cabinet, only to be brought out for special occasions. They need to be part of your daily life.
Balance comes easily to some. Not so easy for others. It may be like a juggling act while wearing stilettos, standing on one foot like a flamingo. When you focus on only one area of ministry, you only see that one thing right in front of you, while nothing else gets your attention. What if I only focused on speaking, but didn't take care of my husband? What if I taught Sunday school, but didn't meet the needs of my children?
Busyness changes your focus. Being too busy goes from being WITH God to doing things for God. Check marks DO NOT equal Godly living. Do you see the difference there?
It is 100% possible to serve in the ministry for decades and totally MISS your purpose.
Look at Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They are the most awesome hospitality team. Mary was customer service, Martha was quality control. Martha found her ministry in the kitchen, but she MISSED her purpose while she was scrubbing pots and pans. Resentment set in while she worked in the kitchen. Martha asked Jesus to scold Mary for not helping with the work. The busyness of serving God had become a barrier to actually knowing HIM. Mary had found her purpose.
Ministry opportunities will come and go. Purpose will see us as we go through and we ponder the past many years of service. Purpose gives us a reason to get out of bed, even when we can no longer do the things we used to do.
What about you? What is your purpose? Underneath all of those layers and years of "adulting" is a beautiful lady who wants to look back and see the purpose. Follow her, she will lead you to your glass slippers that were custom made by the Lord just for you! Now put them on!