One ministry I am associated with is Christian Motorcyclists Association or CMA. I received my motorcyclists patch in November of 2004. As I sewed the patch onto my biker vest the Lord gave me a powerful testimony about me in relation to those I am commanded by His word to serve and to all those I am appointed to and visa versa.
I sincerely hope that you are blessed by this word from God.
It's called "Patchwork". Go to www.cmausa.org for more info.
As I am sewing on my patch the Lord shared some thoughts with me. With each stitch I am reminded how I died in my sins. Each stitch represents a time in my life I felt alone, got abused, hurt, chose wrong, drifted in and out of sin. The stitches are all sew patiently. Each one until finally the patch is fully attached or connected. Life is sort of like this. Each moment we make choices and our life is sewn to represent something over time. Each small stitch comes together eventually to create someone. As I sew on my patch it becomes clear what was being connected and created.
My patch may be sewn with the mistakes and challenges of knowing and not knowing how to walk with God, but it is what the end result represents - how I died to myself to be made new in my heart for Him. God told me He has always been with me and even shared times He delivered me only to watch me go back to being abused or sinning. Each time deeper in debt to shame, guilt, and condemnation. Each moment I was in pain, hurt, and alone He was with me while my patch was being sewn. Now all the stitches are sewn together to show what He has done for me not of my own will. He created my servants heart and attached it to this patch.
This patch represents the heart Jesus gave me for His people who need His love desperately like I did. He's with them too. He'll use me to help them understand and truly see He is next to them waiting to be in their hearts too. To be loved. To reveal the strength each stitch brings when connected to the patch. This patch is the heart of Christ to love the loveless unwanted. The reason Jesus himself came. The reason we are all here.
Each stitch makes the patch stronger. Each stitch connected not only give strength, but also something stable. Each stitch was all that was wrong with me patiently connected to create a quilt of forgiveness and righteousness for Jesus. I know this to be true because all these stitches made me the completely perfect heart of Christ manifest in this imperfect person for the discipleship of His Kingdom. Without each stitch His ministry would not be complete in me with my gifts.
We are all perfected for the appointments He will bring to us through our stitches connected to our patch or as I like to think our experiences to His heart. The saved and unsaved who need our hearts and experiences, or stitches, connected together to bring them into the light of God’s love, presence, and protection. To prepare them to receive the Holy Spirit, so God can dwell inside them also saving them from hell. For this I am grateful. I rejoice and thank God with you all today for bringing me through all the trials because now I can understand Jesus' reason for living and dying. My reason for living and dying to myself daily to live for Him and in Him for everyone I meet.
The following are some verses from the Amplified Bible I discovered while listening to the ministry training tapes, my pastor, studying, and asking God for understanding of my gift. Heb 13:5, Heb 12:1-2, 2Cor 8:5, Mark16:15-18, Matt28:18-20, and Col 3:11-17. I know I will discover more. These are the foundation to the servant’s heart gifted to me as a precious present to share with all God appoints to my journey.
What they explain is the journey I came through. Starting with He will never leave me alone or not support me. Never let me go. As I traveled through to today He was always with me in every stitch. Next, making it through every stitch forgetting the shame and past to take the appointed course to be like Christ. Then, giving all of my heart, not just a portion, as is in the tithe or 10 percent; All. Being challenged to go into the world and share His love with every person. Doing it for the least of the world. The people nobody wants (like I use to be). Finally, to be who I need to be in every situation - being like Christ in manner and forgiveness. Showing love to create harmony and peace in each transaction.
Let this peace be your witness and rest your own thoughts while giving thanksgiving for all He allows you to do through Him for your gift of ministry. That with you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ, we will learn from one another how to serve in all ways which makes God smile on us with His grace in our hearts and His. May all you do be in His name alone, which is a way to give praise to our Father in heaven.
In conclusion I would like to refer to my favorite verse and life destination - Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. My treasure is Christ and my heart is for His people, especially you.