Purpose Driven Life - Day 32 - Using What God Gave You
Another day to examine where God has shaped you to serve, and a strong encouragement not to let another day go by being a spiritual appendix as someone put it in one of the blog comments! I know that many of you who read this will already be serving either in the community, on Sundays or in another area of church life for which I commend you. However, as I thought about this the following came to mind:
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God deserves your best!
“Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.” Romans 12:5 (MSG)
He shaped you for a purpose, and he expects you to make the most of what you have been given. Don’t let another day go by. Start finding out and clarifying what God intends for you to be and do.
Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. The best way to discover your gifts and abilities is to experiment with different areas of service. Until you’re actually involved in serving, you’re not going to know what you’re good at.
Consider your heart and your personality. This is simple - Paul advised, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” Galatians 6:4b (Msg)
Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. Review your life and think about how it has shaped you. Moses told the Israelites, “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him.” Deuteronomy 11:2 (TEV)
Forgotten experiences are worthless; that’s a good reason to keep a spiritual journal. In heaven we are going to serve God forever. Right now, we can prepare for that eternal service by practicing on earth. Like athletes preparing for the Olympics, we keep training for that big day: “They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 (Msg)
- If where you're currently serving doesn't fit your SHAPE then why not try something else, making sure of course you exit well from the area where you are currently involved. Don't just phone your current team leader and tell them you've stepped down from next Sunday!
- Don't let gendre stereotypes limit you. I heard of a lady on Sunday morning who said something like "I'd love to server in one of the tech teams but they're just for men". Try telling that to Jacqui Webber-Gant! I'd love to have more women on the tech teams and more men in the Kids2 children's ministry - God is going to increasingly send children to us who need strong male role models - so break those stereotypes!
- If you're wondering where to start can I suggest the Kids2 5-11's ministry - they're pretty short staffed and it's a great place to make an impact on some young lives. Why not give it a go - contact Karen Mehta if you'd like to know more.
Hope you have a great day. I'm off to see the consultant Thursday afternoon so hoping for some real progress there.
Simon.-------------------------------------------------
God deserves your best!
“Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be.” Romans 12:5 (MSG)
He shaped you for a purpose, and he expects you to make the most of what you have been given. Don’t let another day go by. Start finding out and clarifying what God intends for you to be and do.
Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. The best way to discover your gifts and abilities is to experiment with different areas of service. Until you’re actually involved in serving, you’re not going to know what you’re good at.
Consider your heart and your personality. This is simple - Paul advised, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” Galatians 6:4b (Msg)
Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. Review your life and think about how it has shaped you. Moses told the Israelites, “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him.” Deuteronomy 11:2 (TEV)
Forgotten experiences are worthless; that’s a good reason to keep a spiritual journal. In heaven we are going to serve God forever. Right now, we can prepare for that eternal service by practicing on earth. Like athletes preparing for the Olympics, we keep training for that big day: “They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 (Msg)