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Reachout Trust 24 Ormond Road Richmond Surrey TW10 6TH England Phone & Fax: 0845 241 2158 E-mail A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, number 4162936. A registered charity number 1087085

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Have you ever tried to do a jigsaw puzzle without the picture to guide you? How do you know where each piece fits if you can't compare it to the whole picture?

Every piece has a place, and every piece is important. How disappointing it is to put together a jigsaw and find one piece is missing. The whole picture is spoiled.

God has a plan, and each of us has a purpose, a part to play in that plan. But only He can see the whole picture. Sometimes we don't see where we fit. Sometimes we think we are not important. But each piece is a part of the whole picture of God's plan. In a jigsaw, some pieces are part of the main subject, and they are often easier to spot. But many pieces are part of the background, and although harder to place, are essential for the picture to be complete. "The weaker parts are indispensable and the parts that are less honourable we treat with special honour." (1 Cor.12:22-23)

Where would the Church be without those who make the tea, clean the building, put out the chairs, and man the crêche? Most well known speakers rely on other people to make their appointments, see that they get to the right place at the right time, and organise the meeting.

In the list of spiritual gifts in the Bible we often overlook the one further down the lists: "… those able to help others, those with gifts of administration…" (1 Cor.12:28). "We have different gifts according to the grace given us… If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; … if it is in showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." (Rom.12:6-8).

I remember when I was at home with 4 young children and feeling frustrated that I never had time to do anything to serve God. A wise old lady said to me, "How do you know that maybe God's purpose for your life isn't for you to raise these children to do great things for Him?" Suddenly motherhood seemed much more important.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor.12:27).
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Cor.12:7).

You may feel insignificant and you may not se where you fit, but be assured you do have a purpose, a part to play. In the mean time - "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col.3:17).

Corrie Ten Boom looked at it another way, as if we are all part of an embroidery or tapestry, with God weaving us into a design that only He could see.

My life is but a weaving between my God and me,
I do not choose the colours, He worketh steadily.
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the skilful Weaver's hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
                                                                                                   Author Unknown

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