For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
EPHESIANS 2:10
One of the exciting things about being a follower of Christ is that every one of us has something to contribute, prepared for us beforehand by God. We have unique callings and gifts to be used for His glory.
In 1 Peter 4:10-11, we are told, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” We are called to go beyond ourselves in service of God by using our gifts to serve the church (1 Corinthians 14:12).
Scriptures describe the church as the body of Christ, and every believer as a necessary part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27). We each have a part to play to keep the body functioning well (1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:16). When we don't use our gifts, the body suffers. But as we serve in the way God has created us, directing our abilities and passions toward His purposes, His body is strengthened and brings Him glory.
Have you found your “sweet spot” for serving? A helpful acronym to help you discern how God has gifted you for service is SHAPE:
- Spiritual Gifts – Your supernatural ability for serving God. As soon as you placed your trust in Christ, His Holy Spirit not only came to live in you, but gave you at least one spiritual gift! These gifts include things such as teaching, serving, faith, leadership, and more, given for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). You can learn more about spiritual gifts through passages such as Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4:11-16. Spiritual gifts profiles are available in books and online (for instance, www.spiritualgiftstest.com) to help you identify how God has gifted you.
- Heart – Your passion; what you truly love and care about.
- Abilities – Your natural talents; those you were born with or have developed over your lifetime.
- Personality – The characteristics and traits that make you who you are.
- Experience – Your unique set of life experiences.
As you reflect on all of these things and discuss them with trusted Christian friends or leaders, ask God to lead you to ways you can use your own “SHAPE” to join God in His mission and bring Him glory.