I bought a little pine sapling around two inches tall at my school’s county fair one year. I have always loved plants so my intention was to place it in a flower pot. I watered and watched over that little tree for at least three years. The thing is—it never grew beyond the height that it was when I first purchased it!
I had a flower bed in my front yard, so one day a few years later, I decided to plant that little sapling in front of the flower bed. Within six months, it had tripled in size—I kid you not! I marveled that the placement of that little tree into a different space and soil could cause such a dramatic growth. It had not flourished in the flower pot, even though I had watered and nurtured it on a regular basis. It took the moving of that little pine tree to earthly soil were it was supposed to have been and where its roots had space to grow. I did not have to make sure that it was watered constantly—nature took care of that. It was finally in the right place to thrive and become that magnificent tree it was destined to be. In my front yard, in the right terrain—it thrived! That little pine was no longer hindered; it no loner had its growth stunted in unnatural soil and its roots were no longer scrunched up and unable to spread as far as they desired!
I later sold my home, but I sometimes drive by it when I visit my hometown. I am in wonder of how tall, stately and majestic that pine tree has become. It is indeed awesome to behold!
So, why am I talking about a little tree whose growth was stunted until it was moved into its proper habitat? Well, that little stunted tree is like Christians who are in churches and ministries where their spiritual development has been stunted. These places of worship are improper fits for the spiritual calls and gifts of these believers, so they have become malnourished in the spiritual things of God. Many remain in those churches and never realize their kingdom purposes.
In these churches, they serve in various capacities; they give and they do all that they know to do and yet, they are unfulfilled and not walking in their God-given destinies. Because they do not fit that particular habitat, their gifts and calls are not recognized or utilized. Their gifts are often ignored or overlooked. Some realize the barrenness of their situation, but—they reason that their families have always attended that church or they simply do not know what to do about the situation. Others have no knowledge or revelation that there is something more for them; they just have an emptiness on the inside. And then, there are those who realize that they are in the wrong soil and they ask the Lord to move them into their destined church home.
I am one of those believers who found herself in a stunted situation. After being in a dynamic church for many years, my pastor/bishop moved to another state and he took the vision with him. I was left in a barren place.
I had had a vision previously of training and preparing people for the nations and our church had been doing just that. It was an apostolic ministry that was going to the nations with the gospel; evangelizing in our city; establishing ministries on college campuses, conducting conventions and transforming lives in revivals.
The church had stirred up the gifts in me as I realized that I had an apostolic call on my life. I became a part of the ministry team—I taught foundational doctrines; I helped leadership in various capacities; I led a small group in my home, I evangelized in the city on Saturdays—I even went to the nations. I also realized my dream of training people practically so that they were able to minister spiritually. I was instrumental in raising up a Christian school which prepared students with an excellent and godly education.
After the ministry moved to another state, I felt a void inside. As I sought the Lord, I was accepted for the doctoral program in education in another state. I rented my house and stayed with my daughter and her husband for some time. I received my doctorate in educational leadership several years later.
I traveled and lived in various states after finishing my degree. I was constantly in search of a church that would use my god-given gifts. I served and worked in the places of worship where I attended, but no matter how hard I worked, I often felt invisible. It was a state of barrenness in uninhabitable lands. I did not fit the spaces; they were not good ground for me. Therefore, my soul was not nourished; my gifts and calling were not utilized.
I continued to pray; it was a continuous process of meditation that helped me to realize that not all churches are for all believers, at this time.
Well, lo and behold! I became ill and in my desperation, I was led to the church where I attend now. The Holy Spirit led me to my church through an email. One day over two years ago, while desperately seeking healing, I saw an email about the healing room here at my church on Friday nights. I came; was prayed over and I have been at this church since then. It did not feel alien. But I have learned that it is not about feelings in the natural. I had a spiritual revelation—this was an apostolic/prophetic ministry! I hope that I have come full circle!
I have had time in my recovery from an illness to “Be still” before the Lord. It is my heart’s desire that I will grow to my full potential. I am going after the Lord with my heart, soul and might because I don’t want to be stunted.
My question to you, my friends, is: Are you being fulfilled in your place of worship? You and you alone know whether you are being sidelined to the pews or whether you are being equipped to fulfill destiny. If you are not discipled, seek the Lord and let him lead you to your good ground—that place where your gifts can and will be used and your calling can be and will be realized.
Be Blessed!
Scripture References:
Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
Psalm 92:13 They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
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