Gifted to Serve

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” - Romans 12:6

Every Christian is gifted. We do not all have the same gifts, but we are all equally gifted in the sense that God has given us the abilities and gifts we need to do what He wants us to do in the Body of Christ. God never wastes anything. Every spiritual gift and natural ability that you have been given by God is to be used in ministry.

No matter how valuable a gift is, if it remains unopened it is absolutely worthless. As Christians, it is our responsibility and privilege to discover our God-given gifts. Once they are discovered, we have the joy of developing them and using them in the service of others. But our gifts are also ours to enjoy. There is nothing more fulfilling in life than doing what you believe and know you were made to do. Think of it as, “hitting life’s sweet spot.”

Have you ever thought about how something as simple as a pencil gets made? Did you know that no one human being knows enough to make one simple lead pencil? In order for a pencil to become a pencil somebody had to know how to mine the graphite; somebody else had to know how to process the wood; somebody else had to know how to produce the rubber; somebody else had to know how to manufacture the paint; and somebody else had to know how to put it all together, and then market, distribute, and sell it. That’s a lot of people working to make one simple pencil!

The same is true of the Church. The Church needs all of us involved and on the front lines of service. The truth is, it’s against our nature to want to serve others. But we can ask God, if we don’t already have it, to give us the attitude of a servant. This is a prayer He is pleased to answer.

Father, I pray that You will give me the attitude of a servant. Help me to discover, develop, and use my gifts for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.