Go With Your Strengths

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10)

Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, many are given more than one gift. Wayne Gruden in Systematic Theology describes a spiritual gift as “any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church.” In 2 Timothy 1: 6-7 we read these words that Paul wrote to Timothy. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

That passage suggests that we should not spend all of our time finding out what are gifts are and no time actually using them. If you are not sure what your spiritual gifts are, you may want to take a page from business and go with your strengths. Here is something for you to consider.

It is easy to find yourself working in an area of ministry where you have no interest. And while sometimes there is great need that needs to be filled, we can’t lose sight of our gifts or strengths. Our goal should always be to serve in those areas where God has given us the skills to be successful. Otherwise, we may be underutilized and the church may not reach its full potential because its members and regular attenders are not tapping into their God-given strengths.

For example – you are assigned the job of lifeguard even though you can’t swim. You never learned how to swim because you were busy becoming a CPA. Meanwhile an Olympic team 400 medley swimming champion has been assigned to the accounting department even though he has never even seen a balance sheet.

Far fetched? Maybe a little. But most of us can probably relate because we have been in situations in business where we don’t have the skill set and as a result, we lacked confidence or conviction. Or in some cases we didn’t want to leave our comfort zone. Here’s the thing: if we never get into an area that utilizes our real strengths, we will never reach our full potential.

At least in business, or life, we have a pretty good idea of what we are good at. In our spiritual life, that is not always the case. And when we do know what our gifts are, we don’t know how to use them or get better at them.

Enter Ministry 301. This is a class where we look at spiritual gifts. We believe you will discover what your gifts are and even more importantly find out the best way to use your gifts. Wouldn’t you agree that it is time to start using the spiritual strengths that God has given us?

No single class can provide everything you need to know about spiritual gifts. Rather, the goal of this class is to stimulate your thinking and make you more aware of God working in your life. In order to really discern your Spiritual gifts you will need to spend more time thinking about, praying over and using your gifts. Experience will be one of the most valuable indicators as to what spiritual gifts you have. We are complex beings and God has given us wonderful passions and abilities. It is worth the time to attend the 301 class and to spend devotional time to better understand the tools God has given us to serve the church and His kingdom.

Questions:

1. Would you make time to attend the 301 class?
2. Spend time with God in prayer asking Him to show you your gifts. List what you think is a strength and ask God to give you insight. Talk to Him about the gifts. Express any doubt, fear or frustrations you may have. Ask God for clarity and confirmation.
3. Think about what moves you. What spikes your interest. For example: A person with the gift of mercy will not be moved in every circumstance they come across. Rather they learn to discern the urging of the Holy Spirit and be merciful in situations that God leads them in.
4. Take the plunge and get involved at Northstar. There is no substitute for experience. Nothing that can substitute for good old experience. Basically to get out there and try them out. As you get more involved in ministry where you think you may have a gift, you will soon find out if this gift is indeed a deep passion from God. Pray and ask God to show you where you should serve and then how to use your spiritual gifts to further His kingdom.