Mustard Seed Thoughts : Philemon Seven

I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end.

I Am Found In You by Steven Curtis Chapman

Philemon Seven

By: Ron Edmondson Thursday, June 25, 2009

I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. Philemon 12-13 NIV

I used to have a boss that, when you did something he perceived as wrong, would call you in, have you to stick your hand in a bucket of water, and then tell you to take it out. He would then ask you if you could tell a real difference in the level of the water. The point was that everyone is replaceable. (I seemed to get that lesson a lot!)

My boss was right. We are replaceable...at least in the world's eyes. But, in God's Kingdom, everyone has a place. No one is replaceable.

No one can fill the place of any Christian. If a Christian doesn't do his or her work, God's plan will not change, but He will have to use take different route than the one He planned which included that Christian.

You are unique. One thing you can know for sure: No one can be you quite like you can be. When our boys were little we would sing a little song something like this:

"Nathaniel/Jeremy you are special. There is no one just like you. God has made you special. There is no one quite like you."

Often they would grin and ask us to sing it again. Who knows? I may sing it to them the day they graduate from high school!

The point is that God planned you special...and He didn't make any mistakes. He made you just the way He wanted you. And, at the same time God was planning who you would be, He was planning what you would be, and how He was going to get you there.

So, the next time you are feeling sorry for yourself, thinking you don't belong, that no one needs or wants you, remember that God does. He has something special planned....JUST FOR YOU!

More Information

For more of my thoughts, check out my personal blog at http://www.ronedmondson.com where I write on issues such as marriage, parenting, church and leadership.

Interested in getting Mustard Seed Thoughts in your email box? Enter your email below to add or update your subscriptions to Mustard Seed Thoughts.

Check out Ron's Blog at www.ronedmondson.com

Ron is on Twitter. Find him at http://twitter.com/ronedmondson

Mustard Seed Ministry is reaching around the world with Biblical truths. The ministry is designed to spur the Christian from the smallest amount of faith, onto spiritual growth and maturity. This ministry goes places the church cannot enter. If you would like to support the work of this ministry, send contributions to Mustard Seed Ministry, PO Box 3698, Clarksville, TN 37043, or through Pay Pal (www.paypal.com) to ron.mustardseed@Christweb.com email address.

Mustard Seed Ministry is a non-profit, donor supported outreach, touching thousands with encouragement and hope everyday. If you would like more information about the ministry or would consider supporting this work financially, check out the website at www.mustardseedministry.com.