Know Your Gift in Order to Serve God’s Kingdom
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me see the opportunities I have to serve others. Amen
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” I Corinthians 12:27-31
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8 (NIV)
REFLECT:
The emphasis of this week’s devotions has been on using our gifts to build up the Kingdom of God. It is easy to feel that we do not have a gift that will build up the church because we cannot teach, preach, or heal. There are many other ways to be of service to the Kingdom without these specific gifts. Several years ago, Martha Smallwood, former Missions Director at Pathway, and Steve Ast came up with a concept of “Neighbor to Neighbor” to assist individuals who were elderly, had handicap needs, or lacked the funds to maintain their homes. Individuals from across several congregations were assembled with the skills necessary to make the repairs, build wheelchair ramps, or other needed accommodations.
Koinonia is another example of a ministry using gifting to serve the Kingdom. Christine Briscoe realized that there is a whole population of individuals who are elderly, have handicaps, are lonely, etc. who needed ministering to and comforting. She has assembled a team of volunteers who take people to appointments, visit them, read to them, and serve this special population in many other ways.
These are only two examples of individuals who caught the vision of serving the Kingdom in unique ways.
APPLY:
Several years ago, J.B. Phillips wrote a book called, Your God’s Too Small. I think we could also write a book called; Your Vision for Serving God is Too Small. Our vision for serving is often small. Each of us needs to ascertain our gifting and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to a ministry that can utilize our unique skills/abilities. See your Campus Pastor who can help guide you to a ministry or help us create one.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, show me where you have uniquely gifted me in serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy, or in some other way. Amen