R O L E S

In this hour, He is assigning roles. Do you know yours? Are you engaged?

I watched part of a movie yesterday called "Chasing Christmas". I don't know the whole plot but three of the characters were the spirits of Christmas past, present and future. Anyway, the Christmas past character didn't fulfill his role or assignment as expected--he took liberties, lost his focus and did his own thing without considering others or the consequences of his actions. Subsequently, because of his actions (misdeeds, missed deeds), he was reassigned to a lesser role. His assignment (role) went to another--someone more deserving. He lost the responsibility he once had. I got to thinking about fulfilling my role in this world? Am I doing that which I am specifically called to do---that which the Lord has assigned for me to do? Am I walking in the shoes (steps) He has prepared for me to walk in? It would be a terrible thing to have my role given to someone else and be assigned a lesser role!
This reminds me of the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25.14-30. Do you know it? Well, Jesus taught it saying that a man went on a long distance trip, but, before he did he gave some money (investments) to three of his servants. Subsequently, upon his return he found that two of his servants had made money with the money that he had entrusted to them. However , the third servant, for fear of losing what he had, had hidden his money away and done nothing with it. As a result, what he had was taken from him and given to another. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

I also saw another movie yesterday (all of this one). It was a spur of the moment decision to go to the movies on a Saturday afternoon (not a part of my routine). This movie was also about people who had specific roles to play--a true story that took place a couple of millenia ago. The name of the movie is "The Nativity Story". Against great obstacles and harsh criticism, even in the face of ostracism, Joseph and Mary had monumental roles to play 2000 years ago. I never really thought about it in depth, regarding all the ramifications of their circumstances, like I did during and after the movie. 2000 years ago, in legalistic Judaistic society, who would actually believe that Mary, very pregnant by the Holy Spirit with Jesus, had never been with a man? Who back then would have believed her and stood by and supported her? Well, Joseph did.........and even then, not immediately. Mary and Joseph, by obediently carrying out their roles, accepting their calling and mission (with little real understanding and confidence) set the stage for the greatest role of all time. Jesus, as the chosen, sent, and anointed one, fulfilled the greatest role of all time; but only after and along side of Mary and Joseph (as well as John the Baptist-another great role player). They were all specifically chosen to play their role and that they did----they fulfilled their calling regardless of the cost. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?

You have a role too--a specific one--one all your own that you are specifically chosen to play, to be, as a child of God and member of the body of Jesus Christ. What is your role? Do you know it? We all have them. Are you fulfilling your role in this hour? 2000 years after His birth, LIFE, death and resurrection, the stage is still set, the camera is still running , the movie is still in production---are you fulfilling the script He has written for your life? If you don't know, ask Him. He will reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11.6). Your role will become clear and fulfilling your place will have great reward.
If you are disillusioned or even bored with life, your present role status, the routine, etc., then you are not fulfilling your role . If you don't have enough time to listen to God and to do His will, then you are not, at least correctly, fulfilling His complete calling for you. When there is surrender on our part, true surrender in a persons' life, then does his/her role come to the forefront and take preminece and is prominent. He is still waiting for Love to take the reigns of your life. This is the love spoken about in Ephesians 3---that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height---to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fulness of God...........
This is an hour for fine tuning---fine tuning of roles (knowing His will) and a time of pruning by the Spirit for bearing fruit. This type of fine tuning and pruning is realized by surrender and it is key--the key to the inner court of His presence from which we will be clarified and defined by His light as it shines on us. His light will enlighten our path and we will clearly know our way and destiny....our purpose....our role.............sweet surrender.