Place in this World- Michael W Smith

"Looking for a reason Roaming through the night to find My place in this world My place in this world Not a lot to lean on I need Your light to help me find My place in this world My place in this world"

After graduating from high school, I was not one of those who wanted to conquer the world and make it my own. I had heard the praise and affirmation people had given me and thought I had lived life to the fullest. As I went to Johnson University, I really didn't have a dream. A vision. A dream to call my own. All I wanted was for God to use me to encourage and strengthen people wherever they were in their life.

My mom gave me the idea that I would be a good counselor, so I ran with that vision. I thought I may be a good counselor, as I had a listening and compassionate ear towards people. But, if I am honest, I don't know if it was the vision I had in life.

I was most fulfilled in college when I led a drive to raise money for a clean water well in Central African Republic for Blood Water Mission. In two weeks, our campus community came together and bless the lives of people they may never meet in their lifetime. I was fulfilled and happy with life as God was using me in profound and encouraging ways. Then I went to Uganda to visit my aunt and uncle who were serving there at the time. It was then I discovered I had a gift of preaching, teaching, and investing in the lives of others. A sermon about surrender given at Johnson was birthed out of that.

When I graduated from college, I found God closing doors in every direction to become a counselor. I said to myself, "I need to make a living and pay off my student loans." So I worked at jobs that would pay off my loans." Some of those jobs did offer purpose and meaning in significant ways, but I was still looking for my place in this world. A vision and dream to call my own.

It is only now, 10 years after graduation, I am beginning to find my place in this world. I have rediscovered the gift of writing and hope to use it to bless the lives of people across the world. God has given me a vision and dream to write a book called Song Musings. The contents of all my blog entries will be in this book. Serving in missions is still a dream for me too. I know, ultimately, though, that my place in this world, is found in being a child of the Most High God.

If you are searching for your place in this world, search and find God out in the middle of your questions. Ask him, "What are my talents?" What are my gifts?" How can I bless and encourage others in their journey of life?"

In the middle of these questions, find ways to serve people. Serve your neighbor. Go on a trip overseas with a church or agency. God will, perhaps answer your questions in the middle of your serving.

If you have found your place in this world, help others find their place in this world. Encourage and bless others using your gifts and abilities. Help them to ask questions of themselves and their gifts and abilities. But most of all, point them to Jesus, who can help them find their place in this world.