Answering the Call: Harnessing Your God-Given Abilities for Kingdom Service
Strategies for Identifying and Cultivating Your Spiritual Gifts
Are you thinking about your future? Here are some ideas to consider. You want to find your unique place in this world. What is your calling? Let’s explore how you can use your talents, gifts, and passions in the ministry.
What gets you up in the morning?
I think back to when I was a boy. I wanted desperately to be a missionary, to be used by God. Biographies of historical figures, both men and women, are something I read. I longed for it; I dreamed of it.
As I got older, I tried to think back on my life. Could I have done something different? Should I have done something different? I never wanted to. I loved the Bible, church, teaching, preaching, and discipleship.
What do you love? How are you gifted? Do you get some strange satisfaction when you serve in ministry?
Take it a Step at a Time.
We all have to learn and grow to step into leadership. We must grow in our faith. Learn all the Bible you can. Turn off the distractions and read, study, memorize, and meditate on Scripture until you understand what is happening.
Don’t miss any opportunity to learn from a growing church service, etc. Find people who are further along than you, ask a million questions, and follow their example.
Take every ministry opportunity and do it. Find out where you fit, what you like, and how you are gifted. Don’t be picky. Just serve.
Go through the open doors. Test yourself, your gifts, and your talents.
Pray alone, with your friends, in the church, everywhere.
Read every biography you can get your hands on. Read history. Learn and grow.
Step out of your comfort zone.
Learning and growing are challenging. Witnessing the first time, discipling someone, preaching, and teaching can be stressful. Go to the nursing home, children’s church, or class. Preach, teach, and share anywhere you can.
Visit homes, find people you have never heard of, and talk to them. Cross cultural boundaries. Preach in jail or prison. Don’t confine yourself to the pulpit in the church.
Find a mentor
You need help and guidance. The truth is, you are inadequate. You will lack confidence, but a coach can help you. Surround yourself with experience. Learn from everyone you can.
Let every man be your teacher. Your pastor, church members, and even lost people have much to teach you. Learn to see it from their perspective and hear their questions. Get with your mentor to learn how to navigate unfamiliar waters.
Work on Communication
Speak every chance you get, but record yourself. Use video and audio to hear how you are doing. Learn to articulate well. Learn to connect with those listening. Seek training and coaching.
Practice, practice, practice. Watch others and really pay attention to how they communicate.
Read books on preaching and communication.
Stand Strong
You will face adversity, challenges, and discouragement and may even want to quit. Don’t. Keep your eyes on the Lord. See Christ, not the circumstances. Learn to trust God and allow Him to guide you.
When others quit, do not quit. When others lose hope, find strength in the Lord.
Know you will face conflict. Learn to resolve the best you can. Work at feeling for others and not just defending your position. You are a servant, not a boss. You are not there to be served, so listening is the best part of leading.
Don’t quit when things don’t work out as you want or as quickly as you want. If you fall, get up. If you fail, learn from your failure. Grow, grow, grow.
Learn to Pray
You will need God more than anything or anyone. Learn to talk to Him and listen to Him. Cast all your burdens on Him. Tell Him you trust Him with what is happening. Be free and open with Him because He loves you and will not leave you, nor does He expect unreal things from you.
He just wants you. He loves you and desires your love. Pray for others. Pray for guidance, direction, wisdom, and strength.
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