I often hear people talking about how they don't want to "settle". They want the best and they don't want to have to settle for anything else. Settling is actually a good thing though. Settling, as defined in the dictionary is "to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon; to place in a desired state or in order; to cause to take up residence." I was doing my weekly devotional with Josh and he shared a tid-bit with me while reading Acts 2 about "settling" our calling in life. Meaning, to conclusively agree upon what we are called to do in our life. Since God is the one that gives us our gifts and callings in life, He is the one I have to settle with. He is the one I have to conclusively agree upon with.
Now, to back track a little, Josh is the children and youth pastor at our church. He is my "boss" so to speak while I've been taking on more duties at church. I'm essentially his assistant. Whatever he needs done, I help make it happen. Lots of clerical, administrative type stuff that I love, love, love doing. It's not just making copies or setting up meetings, it's a piece of this big puzzle that helps make everything work together. Our church has been going through a transition lately that has really had me feeling anxious and frustrated. After reading Acts 2, talking with Josh and him sharing that "settle" ideal - I'm feeling a lot better and I think God has revealed to me why I've been feeling so anxious and frustrated.
In Acts 2 it is shortly after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Peter is telling everyone about Jesus, His teachings, His resurrection and the Holy Spirit. He assures everyone that He most definitely was exactly who He said He was. The people that heard Peter speak and believed what he said were saved. 3,000 people in that one, brief encounter. Then at the end of Acts 2, it describes something we're probably all familiar with:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." - Acts 2:42-47.
The church. They were the church. Because "church" as most people think about it is simply a building. Those walls and the big steeple out front isn't the church anymore than someone's living room. People who believe in God, believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, people who want to learn more about God's word and apply it to their lives, people who want to spend their lives serving God and others for His glory, all those people coming together - that is the church. WE are the church. Josh pointed out that this is only days after Jesus' death and resurrection. 60 days or so (don't quote me on that time table. I'm no scholar and can't recall exactly what he said). The point is though, that after only 60 days, there was this complete transformation. Three thousand people came to know Jesus for who He truly was and devoted their lives to Him.
So now back to the "settle" thing and the frustrated feelings I've been having. I really feel like I've been waiting for something amazing to happen and I don't feel like it's happening. I feel like I want to be doing more, participating more and pushing through my barriers. I feel like the opposite is happening. I feel stuck. I feel like people are leaving and moving on, I feel like people are attacking me/us (the church), I feel like all this negativity is surrounding something that should be so awesome! In Acts 1 that I recently studied as well though, Jesus commanded his Apostles to "wait". Just wait. God knows what He's doing. He can transform lives and churches in a matter of days. We're simply in a transition. Look what happened in Acts 2. Three thousand people came to know Jesus that day. We have a big community event coming up where we'll get to interact with thousands and thousands of people and then have an Easter service the next day. We are, without a doubt, going to make Jesus known to THOUSANDS of people in a couple weekends from now. That is exciting stuff! And yes, some people have been leaving and spreading rumors about our church, but we've also had some really great new people come in and some old faces we haven't seen in awhile. I just have to remember to wait and let Him do His thing instead of feeling anxious or frustrated about it.
While I was deep cleaning and organizing the toddler room, I was thinking about that whole "settle" thing. I could almost feel this peace come over me. Settle. Just wait and settle. I know what my calling is. I have for awhile now. I serve. I'm a helper. Whatever needs to get done, I do my best to make it happen. It just comes natural to me to have that mindset. Well, not "natural", but God-given. I know for a fact this is exactly where God wants me to be right now. While I want to move outside my comfort zone and do more, I have to also stop pushing so hard to be Super Woman. I'm doing exactly what God has called me to do and I love it, so why do I frustrate myself by thinking there's more? This is my calling, so I need to just do it. When God has a new calling for me, He'll reveal it. Just because this is my calling right now doesn't mean He won't move me into other opportunities and callings later. God is going to use me, just like He used Peter, to do exactly what He wants me to do. As long as I'm always patient, willing to wait, willing to answer that call and fulfill His plan for my life - there is absolutely no reason for me to feel anything other than peace and joy. And that's exactly where I'm at this morning. I'm settled.
