Eternal purpose

It's very clear in Scripture that each of us is to serve a spiritual purpose while we're here in this world, and that those purposes are different. We are each given gifts and asked to use them. I know we've talked a little bit about this before, how the Mennonite way isn't to evangelize but to be there in person and show good works and come alongside folks who need help and witness through an upstanding life.

While that's a part (a big part) of what I'm talking about, I'm also talking about the other spiritual gifts - service, exhortation, prophecy, counsel, discernment, etc. How are you working for God in this world? How effective do you feel like you are? What do you hunger to do more of? How does this fit with your theology?

I was thinking about this in regards to a friend of mine who I am burdened to be very close to right now, pestering him constantly to keep his life in line with God's will. It would drive me bats to have someone do this to me, but he needs it and it doesn't bug him. I have friends that I'm just "friends" with - you know, the folks you know just need a friend?

All my life, I've had people come in and out of my "circle". It's not like when they leave I forget them, but.... the season is past and they'ved moved on. And then God brings me someone new to befriend, someone new to counsel, someone new to show love to - someone new to witness to.

So - that's what I am, that's what I do. What is it that you do? That you *need* to work on to feel whole? That calls you and keeps you up at night?