Twenty-eight years ago my wife Sue and I came up to Greeley, Colorado with our two young children to plant what is known as Calvary Chapel of Greeley. With the exception of my brother and his family, we didn't know anyone else in the community. We didn't have a facility to meet in or have any other things which are needed to begin services.
We began this new venture of faith in our home, with a little advertisement in the local paper. I had my Bible, went to the old Hugh M. Woods building, bought a stool to sit on to teach, and a cheap guitar from the local music store. We came with a simple vision that I had learned from my pastor, Chuck Smith: teach the Bible verse by verse from Genesis to Revelation. He also modeled being a humble, incredible servant that loved the sheep. We had the vision to make sure, with God's help and grace, that the people he gave us to minister to were the best fed and best loved sheep in Greeley. We haven't done that perfectly (no pastor has), but we have looked to the Lord to help us care for His sheep.
I have considered it a privilege and an honor to be the pastor of this church for the last twenty-eight years. Sue and I have seen God's faithfulness and blessing even in the difficult and challenging times. He has always provided for us and we are very thankful for the calling that He gave us. I'm thankful that He is true to His Word, as told to us in 1 Corinthians 1:27-28: "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence."
I want to encourage you that God wants to use you in serving Him, wherever He has placed you. Remember what the apostle Paul wrote in the first chapter of Colossians - that you were created by Him and for Him. Revelation 4 tells us we were created for His good pleasure. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
You were created for Christ, for His good pleasures, and to be His workmanship. If any of us just live for ourselves or for the world, we will miss out on the real purpose of life: to live for our Creator. We hear about life coaches that will help us reach our potential and have success in just about every area of life. I know they can be of help in some practical ways, but you will not experience your full potential if you don't prioritize a life living for Him and His purposes.
When I first got saved I didn't think I could ever serve the Lord or was qualified to do that. We have all been called to serve others in this life. Be open to what He wants to do through you and how He wants to use you. Remember that He uses the weak and foolish things, which is good news because that includes all of us. His faithfulness will be discovered by you and you will experience true fulfillment and purpose.