How to Find Your Niche

By Randy Knapp

I spent some time with my three-year-old grandson as he played with a carved wooden puzzle of the United States. It amazed me to see the nonchalant ease with which he put each state in its proper place. I asked him where Arizona belonged. He pointed to the correct region, then picked up the puzzle piece and placed it properly. I asked him about New York. He repeated the procedure without a flicker of emotion.

I could barely curb my enthusiasm to match his calm demeanor. I was amazed that such a young mind could comprehend that each piece had a unique relationship with the other forty-nine, and fit correctly in only one place.

When he positioned the final piece the concentrated expression on his face relaxed in satisfaction as he viewed the completed picture. He intuitively knew that each puzzle piece had a purpose and a place.

Studies of ecology reveal the same basic principles. Each plant or animal species in a habitat fits in a unique niche. Instead of the fifty variables my grandson faced, in the natural world, there are thousands of species from microscopic organisms to large animal and plant species in these ecological puzzles.

When there is a fluctuation in one species, the remaining species must adjust to accommodate the environmental alteration. The survival of an individual species is inextricably tied to the success of the others.

A practical application of these principles is demonstrated by observing the effects of forest logging. The removal of just a hand full of tree species in a clear-cut area, changes the dynamics of the habitat for entire plant and animal populations. Plants that normally function in shade are now flooded with sunlight. Animals who nested among the trees are now dislocated. The force of raindrops that had previously been absorbed by leaves and branches now hits the ground unhindered and erodes channels into the soil. That water, heavy with minerals and soil particles, rushes into nearby streams increasing the water’s turbidity. The habitat, once in harmony, degenerates into a state of chaos. Instability in this habitat will continue for the next forty or fifty years. Once the area is replanted with seedlings these fluctuations will taper off over succeeding years as the forest matures.

There was a time, long, long ago that God looked down upon His creation and pronounced it “very good.” People, animals, and plants functioned with beauty and organic harmony. Every organism fit in its perfect place.

Then, Evil introduced its ugly head and people have been reeling ever since. The puzzle is in disarray. Nothing seems to fit. People stumble around in confusion, searching for the relative comfort of their proper niche.

God replanted His habitat with the introduction of new life brought by Jesus Christ. It is clear from the stories in the New Testament that some in the population found their restored niche almost immediately. A beachhead of spiritual harmony was reestablished.

But chaos does not willingly relinquish its tenacious grip. Through the centuries Evil has continually introduced disruptive elements into our human habitat. Satan has very successfully communicated the lie that humanity is simply the result of the chaotic and accidental collision of unrelated elements in nature. He stipulates that those random encounters began to mass together, and through the eons, the process of random evolution culminated in the accidental formulation of human beings.

Contrary to Jesus Christ’s stipulation that humanity is the crowning pinnacle in the creation processes of a loving God, Satan maintains that humanity is a blight on nature and we threaten the very survival of the planet.

But through all the chaos of current disagreement, pockets of ecological harmony persist. In these habitats people are learning about the niche where they can once again find the comfort of home. They are beginning to comprehend that with the birth of each human being, a loving God has created a unique niche. In that niche and in relationship with their Creator, individuals find their place of perfect harmony.

When people understand that they are not the end-product of a series of random accidents, but the exquisite creation of a caring Creator, they finally comprehend that people have a purpose. That purpose is achieved when the creature reestablishes union with its Creator. Their lives take on new meaning. Elements in their human habitat that once brought confusion fade into obscurity. They understand that hate and discord are exotic inclusions thrust into the human habitat by a disruptive and malevolent force. They finally comprehend that faith, hope, and love of their fellow human beings are the foundation blocks that will begin the process of restoring harmony to the human habitat. Each individual has a unique role to play in restoring balance to God’s original creation.

The epic challenge for each of us is to find and follow our purpose in life – our niche. We don’t have to find our way alone. God is willing to lead us. Jesus said it best: “If you love Me, show it by doing what I have told you. I will talk to the Father, and He’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take Him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see Him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know Him already because He has been staying with you and even now is in you.” When you and I ask Him, God will show us how we can be restored into our rightful place in His perfect creation. We will finally find our true home.

Randy writes from Medford, OR. knappsnest@msn.com