God’s assurances to Jeremiah included these words: “For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land” (Jeremiah 1:18). From these words we can understand something about his mission. He was a prophet being sent to the southern kingdom of Judah. His focus was to be Judah’s kings, princes, priests, and people. Though others would prophesy to these same people, Jeremiah had a place to fill in delivering to them God’s message.

Similarly, Paul had a place to fill. We know him as the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” When convincing Ananias to go to Saul and deliver to him the message of salvation he was told by the Lord, “…Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). As Paul recounts the appearance of the Lord to him on the road to Damascus he informs us Jesus told him he would deliver him, “…from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee” (Acts 26:17).

Neither Jeremiah nor Paul had an easy mission. The people to whom they preached often refused to hear and sometimes even mistreated them. Yet, they refused to quit because they had been sent by God to accomplish a specific task. These men continued steadfast and filled the place God had for them. In his infinite wisdom, God knew these men were uniquely qualified to fill the exact place to which He sent them.

Today, God will not speak aloud and say, “Preacher, go to _____, and tell them _____.” He has already commissioned us to take His Gospel to every person in the whole world (Matthew 18:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). However, it may still be that some men are more uniquely qualified to serve in various places. Some preachers are just not a “good fit” for some congregations. It is not a question of whether he preaches the truth or whether a congregation loves and wants to hear the truth. Temperament, background, educational level, and other factors vary among individuals and congregations. Though both may be faithful to our Lord, there still may be differences between a “country” congregation and an “urban” congregation. A congregation in a university town may have a different intellectual mindset than a congregation in a rural setting. A congregation in a mission field may require a different set of skills from a preacher than a congregation that is in the heart of the “bible belt.”  We would do well to pay attention to these type factors when matching workers with the work.

But now to the point we want to make in this article. Regardless of where we are best fitted to work (small, large, rural, urban, mission field, etc.) we have a place God wants filled. One is not less or more important than the other. Each is working for the Lord. Who knows whether he is the one, and perhaps the only one, who is equipped to accomplish  what God wants accomplished in that particular place at that particular time.

As God’s preacher, be sure sure to fill your place!