Ministering From Your Gifts

Last week I mentioned Os Guinness's book The Call. In his book, Os stresses the need to understand God's call on our lives. Everything we are, everything we do and everything we have is to be lived out as a response to God. But with so many "things" to do, how do we know what God would have us involved in?

Knowing our vocation (our call) is critical to understanding the arena in which we are to join God in His work. But in the middle of that occupation, knowing our spiritual gifts helps us to narrow our focus. When we know and exercise our gifts, we are operating out of our strengths rather than our weaknesses. When we use our strengths we are able to experience more fulfillment, satisfaction and success.

But should we really enjoy our service to God? A few years ago someone shared with me his frustrations in knowing God's will for his life. He said, "You know, I really love doing this (he mentioned a particular avenue of ministry to others), but because I enjoy it so much, I'm wondering if this is what God would have me do."

I assured him that God gives us gifts and abilities so that we can use them for the entire body of Christ. One way to discover those gifts is to observe the areas that we really enjoy and are gifted in. Thinking that "ministry" should be "misery" is simply a lie. When we are filled with God's presence and He works through us, we experience His joy.

If you could do one thing in your vocation that would bring glory to God, what would it be? Would it be helping someone learn about God, understand God's word, give so that others might grow, help behind the scenes or serve others? What is it that you really have a vision for? What is your passion?

No one else is uniquely gifted to see it happen like you are.

Scripture: II Timothy 1:6 - "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you ..."

Action Point: Think of a way that you could use your gift(s) this week to give God praise and glory.

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