"Equipped But Not Positioned"

I know this is a strange way to get a message, but I believe everything in life Speaks Wisdom, so bear with me for a moment.  Each Sunday at the end of service, I greet members and guest at the exit door.  The doors have a door stopper attached that we use to prop the door open so we are free to greet, and hug without the door closing; that is what a door-stopper does.  But over the years, I've noticed that the bottom of the stopper has worn down, and it no longer has the grip to hold the door open.  Since that is not the most important thing going on, week after week, we forget about it and prop the door ourselves.  There was a time that another door-stopper was put in place right next to the one attached to the door... only problem was it didn't fit the door, and would slide from the weight of the door, and we still would have to use our bodies to hold the door; while we hug and greet guest.  Since I love D.I.Y. projects, I planned to find a rubber gripper that fits this door-stopper, so it can help the stopper do what it was supposed to do, HOLD THE DOOR OPEN!  While thinking about that stopper,  my mind went to thinking about us...

POSITIONED BUT NOT EQUIPPED

The first thing I thought about was that little door-stopper, it was exactly where it is supposed to be, on the door. But over the years it has lost the 'equipment' to be effective.   That door-stopper is not in the way,  or in the wrong 'position',  it is just no longer works.  Many of us have a position in the body of Christ, or a title in our churches, but we have not kept ourselves strong, relevant,  and equipped to do the thing we have been made to do.  Granted, that was not the problem years ago when the door-stopper was first put in place.  It did it's job wonderfully!  We could kick it down and it would hold the door open in any position without a second motion.  What happened  to our dear door-stopper was years of use and environment changes. That door-stopper endured many changes to the floor it works on, carpet has been changed, tile has been replaced, and all along it kept working.  Many days of being 'kicked' down, called on to perform, and basically fulfilling purpose has left the door stopper ineffective.  As people we have to know when we need an slight upgrade or some "Me" time to replenish and repair.  We need to know when to accept a little help so we can be the best for what we know we are called to do.   As people we can talk, we can tell someone when we feel a little worn, and we also need people around us that can do the same.  The sad thing about the worn out door-stopper, is that inadvertently, in it's worn out state, it is subject to damage what it comes in contact with.  I discovered that this door-stopper is positioned, but no longer equipped, no longer relevant because of the changes that happened to the floor around it. It will need an upgrade, or a replacement part and both are available! 

EQUIPPED BUT NOT POSITIONED

Since I have a habit of covering both sides or my stories, here is the other.  Many people are equipped, but not positioned.  That is like the door-stopper that is still on the store shelf.  You have been made for a purpose, well able to do the job,  but you are not in position.  When it comes to a store, yes... someone has to buy you, but when it comes to us, we have to be available, and allow people to see our gifts, and offer our services to help.  My pastor said once "God is not going to tell people what you can tell them."  So many people are not busy because they are waiting for the pastor or someone to 'see' them, pull, prod and recruit them to be involved; but that is old and too much work.  If you know you have a gift, if you know you can help, step up!  Why sit in the shelf during services noticing everything that you are gifted in being handled by a door-stop that does not fit?  Your insight, your gift, your presence could make a difference in how things run. Each person has a purpose and plan- are you in yours?  I encourage you to not waste your time, your talent, or your opportunities to be a blessing and useful in the Body of Christ.  

EQUIPPED AND POSITIONED!

So, if you are not doing anything with the gift God has given you, get busy!  Time is not waiting on you, and if you don't do your job... another door-stopper will show up just because the need is still there.  I encourage you to be found doing what you are equipped to do, and if you are in position already, stay equipped.  Don't allow life's wears and tears get you to the place that you are ineffective. Keep yourself strong in the word of God, stay encouraged, humbled, available, and able to do what God has called you to do, and do it well!