"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

Standing on the outside looking in hurts. So many times I've looked at others on the "inside," hoping someone would notice and invite me in.

I still remember standing on the sidelines in 7th grade, while the "fast" kids played speedaway. Somehow the teams always got filled before I could get on one.

I've stood on the sidelines of other sports and music tryouts, watching the real athletes get chosen and the highly talented musicians get the parts. I've even stood on the sidelines watching friends hang out together, wishing I'd been invited.

Perhaps the most difficult sideline times are when I've looked at my personal gifts and talents and believed no one wanted - or needed - what I had to offer.

Feeling left out stinks. But feeling like there's no room left for us in our careers or callings can be downright scary. What if all the good spots are already taken? Then what?

For years I struggled, fearing what I had to offer just wasn't good enough. All these fears and questions collided when I sensed God was calling me to write.

I held out my meager gift in faith, doubting anything would ever really come of it. After all, there were so many really talented authors already. And they were much better than I was at connecting with important people and marketing themselves. For heaven's sake, I consistently show up at conferences without my business card!

Believing all the spots were already taken by much more qualified people, made me want to quit before I'd even started.

But then God gave me a picture of what His kingdom is really like. Previously, I had this image of a slice of "pie" that was reserved for people with my calling, and only the best got in.

But God showed me He isn't in the business of dividing a sliver of opportunity among His children: He's in the business of making a bigger pie!

What hope this has planted in my heart. There is room for me! And more than enough of it.

When we answer God's call on our lives, there is unlimited opportunity to serve Him. Whether it's teaching, dancing, singing, serving, leading, organizing, public speaking or writing, there is room for each of us to do His Kingdom work.

God isn't limited by market trends or economic downturns. Nothing is too hard for Him. So if He's called you, there is room for you, too.

Satan wants us to believe opportunities are scarce or that we're not really necessary in God's plans. He'd much rather have us allow the sense of competition to simmer so we never truly celebrate each other's successes.

Or better yet, have us fight amongst ourselves, scratching and clawing to climb higher on the ladder of success by stepping on each other.

When we realize there is more than enough room, and that we are all invited to "play," our hearts should change. Rather than worry about our place and position, we should lace our fingers together, offering a firm place to step, and give our sisters and brothers a boost.

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples in Matthew 9:37-38, "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"

In this verse, Jesus encourages us to pray for more people to step up and serve Him.

Can you imagine the world acting like this? What a radical way to think. Rather than worrying if there's a place for me to serve God with my specific gifts and talents, I should be praying for more women and men to start doing exactly what I'm called to do. And then do whatever I can to help them succeed.

I'm so thankful God changed my heart. It frees me to fully be myself and truly celebrate others' successes.

Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." So ... what's stopping you? Come join me in the harvest. There's lots of room!

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me just as I am and calling me to serve You with my gifts and talents. I believe You have a place for me and accept Your invitation. Please call more of our sisters and brothers to serve You in the harvest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

James 4:1, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" (NIV)

Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

Feeling called to write? At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we believe there's room for you to develop your God-given gifts wherever God has placed you and would love to help you answer that call! That's why we developed our monthly writing program, COMPEL Training, to help you increase your confidence and effectiveness as a communicator.

Join Glynnis Whitwer on her blog for more encouragement to pursue God's calling on your life.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What would you do for God if you knew you couldn't fail?

What's the next step you can take today to answer God's call on your life?

© 2015 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.