Finding Your Place

July 10, 2008

By Paul Veliquette

I am not a puzzle kind of guy, but somehow I get pulled into our family’s puzzle project. It is sort of a tradition that during family get-togethers a puzzle is pulled from its high shelf in the closet, dusted off, and placed on the table. Glenda usually starts the project working on it by herself while encouraging us all to join her. Slowly the family is drawn by some mysterious force to the jumble of pieces spread out on the table.

Everyone has their own strategy for finding matching pieces. I always look for the edge pieces to start working on the frame. The process drags on for what seems an eternity. Each successful match is celebrated and each failure is accompanied by a groan. The most frustrating moment comes when there is an “almost fit” moment. A shape will appear perfect until one pointing corner tries to fit a rounded edge, or vice-versa. There is a temptation to just force it to fit. But that will only damage the piece, and at some point there will be another piece that does not fit.

The church, the body of Christ in the local setting, is a lot like that. The process of putting together a healthy, growing, dynamic church, can feel as if the pieces of a puzzle have been dumped on the table. Each piece has its own unique shape and color. Each piece has its place in what will be a beautiful earthly picture of a heavenly design. Here and there a few pieces are connected almost accidently by shared passion and interest. Where do you fit in your church?

It is so important to study each yourself and your fellow “puzzle pieces” through the filter of God’s Word. Who has what gifts? Are there groups of people who have like passions? How will the uniqueness of each personality fit together to create that powerful force called the local church that will always result in men and women and boys and girls being drawn to God? What role would God have you play in that divine mission?

Jesus said in John 9:4, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”

— Paul Veliquette is pastor of Windsor (Colo.) Assembly of God.