Karol G, a female Colombian singer once remarked: “There's no path to success. Everyone constructs their own path. The important thing is to follow your heart. Find your niche, is my best advice.” Acts 1:7 reminds us: “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”
A niche is determined as a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment. It can include a specific “calling” or vocation, whether intentionally sought or not, that is found to be ideal in every respect and invokes much satisfaction or delight. It is considered synonymous by some with a “raison d'être,” which defines a reason for existence. In an analogical affinity to ecology, a raison d'être could be considered as a role a person plays in a community and the culminating interface with others. A raison d'être can encompass both the physical and environmental conditions necessary for positive thought, help and production. Many people who give their valuable time and service freely toward the church, in other than clergical roles, are providing a similar function. It is their combined efforts that aid the prosperity of the church and contribute to its fruitful and smooth functioning. These positions may include: churchwardens, sides persons, lay readers, flower arrangers, cleaners etc. Niches can provide a purposeful direction in life. They may require some vision, courage, clarity of mind or determination to succeed in any particular chosen venture, but the personal or objective reward can be immense when that attainment is effectively reached.
Many people in life are “called” by God for specific vocations. These may include professions such as doctors, nurses, priests, teachers etc. Each is intrinsically valuable in their own specific direction, but something that may not readily be considered by some, is the everlasting call of God that is available to every individual existing on earth. Ephesians 1:3-14 reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.
With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”
God constantly reminds us of His presence and the love, help and guidance that is so freely available to all. If we seek or choose to accept Him into our lives, then a special niche is often formed.
This can be through the words of the Bible, work, church services, schooling, or other Christian activities. His hands are forever outstretched, and beckon us into a special and unique life that can fulfill more pleasure and satisfaction than anything else considered possible. Ephesians 4:1-6 reminds us: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
The Bible denotes several persons who were called by God for specific purposes. These include such names as: Abraham, Moses, Esther, David, Samuel, Isaiah etc, etc. The list continues. Each was probably considered by God to have certain hidden gifts or talents that ideally suited the particular task, or actions assigned to them. Neil deGrasse Tyson, an American scientist once remarked: “I think the greatest of people in society carved niches that represented the unique expression of their combinations of talents, and if everyone had the luxury of expressing the unique combinations of talents in this world, our society would be transformed overnight.”
Godly tasks, no matter how important or menial they may appear to some, are often those considered of the greatest value or significance. Everyone has hidden depths to them that can aid progress, which need to be encouraged. If God feels that those may be of use to Him in a particular endeavor, He may seek to instigate the opportunity. When opportunities are presented, one should never fear the enormity or difficulty of a particular challenge. Progress is only attained by action. Hebrews 1:1-12 reminds us: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God's angels worship him.” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”
A delight, freely given by one, in whatever situation or for a particular reason, could also become a pleasing gift to God. Psalm 37:4 reminds us: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Amen.
