A Piece of the Puzzle
AUGUST 10, 2020
By Julie Lockyer, Scheduler/Receptionist
When COVID-19 hit, my job came to a complete standstill. Without people coming the church campus, there were no bulletins to print, no reports to do, no more scheduling of rooms for church events––all of my duties were gone. Then we were told we needed to stay home. The gates were locked, the building was closed, and golf was shut down.
Fortunately the First Prez staff was quick on their feet and got our online services up and going. Most of us got even busier with all the online things that needed to get done. But I was feeling down. I felt like I was being left behind. We had this amazing thing happening with online church and devotions, but I wasn’t a part of it. It was no one’s fault; it is just the way things were going. And it all had to happen quickly.
Not too long ago a wonderful friend of mine posted a video on Facebook. It is Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 6: Sing Gently, a beautiful piece made up of 17,572 singers from 129 countries. You can watch it here.
It starts off with a few people singing then more and more singers start coming into view. As the singers come on the screen, the individual pictures get smaller and smaller so more can be added. The pictures and words, which were once apart, start connecting to each other, their voices resounding as one. It is such an amazing piece! So beautiful and peaceful. This video reminded me of a puzzle coming together. Different parts coming together as one.
I knew I had to write about this. It reminded me of how I felt without having people in my life, not being able to come into work, and my work responsibilities coming to an end. I realized I felt like a missing piece to a puzzle. I needed to be connected!
Roman 12:4-8 says “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
God has given us talents. If one is taken away we can use another talent. Don’t give up! I hung in there and now I have new job responsibilities. I feel connected again. My puzzle piece just needed to be shifted a little. Sometimes God needs to take the puzzle apart and move our pieces around a bit but when He puts us where we belong, the picture He creates is even more amazing than the first one!
Prayer: Lord, thank You for opening my eyes to see how You have brought me from one place to the next. Thank You for always being there for me even when I can’t see it! Help me to encourage others the way You encourage me. Thank You for reminding me that You have created all of us differently and yet we are of one body and You can use us in mighty ways. Thank You for loving me the way You do! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
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