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January 6, 2012
Tags:
Change, Decisions, Giftedness
Sometimes the toughest step to take in acting on your passions is that first one. What will happen if you step out and use the gifts you have discovered? It’s okay to start in a small way—as long as you get started!
One woman’s city-wide ministry to breast cancer patients started when she joined a support group, hoping her story would help others. She soon found a leadership role connected with her passion.
Another woman thought it would be nice to invite a few international students from a local college over for dinner. That seed started a Christian network that provides fellowship and support for foreign students.
Still another Christian with the gift of faith wanted to pray for others as a support for the ministries they were starting. Her prayer ministry gave confidence to many, although she has kept its scope small, just praying for people she knows.
Don’t worry yet about how the seeds you plant may grow. If you aren’t sure where to begin, commit some time to thinking about each of your gifts.
• Pray! Ask God what you might do with each gift. Perhaps find a prayer partner for encouragement.
• Talk with others who have the gift. How did they confirm that it was their gift? How did they get started? Could you help them or observe them in action?
• Trust. If this is your gift, God wants to see it used! Be confident that God will give you what you need to use it.
--Jane
Questions to Ponder
• What is your biggest fear about using your gift? Sometimes, naming it and then imagining how you would avoid it or make the best of what happens makes those fears go away.
• Where might you go or what group might you join in order to see your gift in action? Often, those are solid first steps.
November 14, 2011
Tags:
Giftedness, Volunteering
If you worry about whether your goals are big enough or small enough, you may miss them altogether.
A woman ran a food service most of her life. Then a box fell on her foot and her career ended—or so she thought. Some students from a campus cooperative housing unit approached her to be their cook and housemother. She pondered what it would entail and thought, Certainly I can still cook for thirty...
She did far more than cook for them, of course! Each student agreed to work in the kitchen at least twice a month. She used those times to be their mother away from home. She became their sounding board for their love lives, career choices, disputes with friends, and many more dilemmas where she could lend a mature, spiritual perspective to the choices they faced.
Yes, she was only helping thirty young adults, yet rather than worry about the numbers, she threw herself wholeheartedly into the task. Years later, those students think of her fondly and appreciate even more all that she did for them. --Jane
Questions to Ponder
• If you enjoy being God’s hands on earth to one person at a time, never forget that the people you help may be inspired to help others—your ministry may be bigger than you will ever know!
• Ponder the life of a biblical character who served as you do: Ruth, or the apostle Andrew, or Dorcas, or even Jonathon to see how small acts of service are hugely important!
November 8, 2011
Tags:
Volunteering, Guidance
Joy—that’s what you should feel when acting on a passion that God planted in your heart. Remember, though, that happiness and true joy may not be the same thing.
One family felt called to take in foster children. The stipend they received of eight dollars a day per child had nothing to do with their motivation since they had to work hard to stretch that into basic food and clothing. Foster care meant tantrums, health problems, delicate conferences with teachers, and frequent tears, conflicts and incidents that stretched their patience to its limits. Once they even had to retrieve an hysterical teenager from their rooftop! (more…)
October 29, 2011
Tags:
Giftedness, Personal Growth
A mother of 3 young children was once again at the end list task of scrubbing floors. Feeling frustrated with her task, she complained, “God, I never have time for you anymore. My hours are filled being a nanny and housekeeper.”
At that moment, she felt the calming presence of God. She sensed God's message to her. “But you are right where I want to, down on your knees were you can lift to me your prayers of praise and petition.” The young woman realized that she could choose to worship God in all of her tasks.
Now that her children are grown, she continues a daily ministry of worship and prayer. One of her passions is her desire to worship Jesus. Her devotion has inspired many others to learn more about God. Down on her knees, whether scrubbing or praying or both, she has shown others the difference faith can make. --Jane
Questions to Ponder
• How might you use your gifts in the midst of all your other tasks?
• Consciously look for a role model to learn more about faith. How does this person grow in faith? Show faith?
October 11, 2011
Tags:
Personality Type, Personal Growth
When one young mother learned about her personality type, she commented, “For the first time in my life, I understand it is okay to be who I am.” She had grown up in a family of people different from herself and could not understand why she was such an oddball. Why was she so quick to see the flaws in the situation? Why did she expect so much of other people? Why was she so uncomfortable at the social gatherings the rest of her family loved plan? Once she understood that God had designed her personality this way for a purpose, she was able to concentrate on developing her strengths and learning to appreciate the richness or personality added to her family. (more…)
October 4, 2011
Tags:
Volunteering, Decisions, Guidance
The widows in the early church approached the apostles. They didn’t think food was being distributed fairly. Could the apostles look into the matter?
If you read between the lines, the apostle said, “No, that task lies outside our giftedness. Let’s find the right people for the task.” Even in the midst of a great need, they said, “No.” You can, too. (more…)
September 23, 2011
Tags:
Giftedness, Personal Growth
As a teenager, I could not start the lawnmower by myself. I was so short that I had to jump up in the air to pull the starter cord out fully. My technique seldom produced enough pull to start the engine. This never worried me; my father or one of my brothers would start it any time it was my turn to mow.
We don't have to rely on our own power. We don't even have to wait for God to appear. Jesus is within us as a tremendous power. Until you actively seek to tap this power, however, it remains hidden. (more…)
September 7, 2011
Tags:
Giftedness, Personal Growth
Anyone who reads the Old Testament stories of Moses has to be impressed by his record: Leading the Israelites out of Egypt, solving difficult disputes during 40 years of wandering in the desert, getting water from rocks, and so much more. Yet you can also read of his feelings of inadequacy--he wasn't a good public speaker and begged God to have someone else go before Pharaoh. Had God made a mistake? No, someone else--Aaron, Moses' brother--could come alongside Moses and speak for him.
There is no use dwelling on gifts we don't have. (more…)
August 1, 2011
Tags:
Giftedness, Personal Growth
A poster shows a little man sitting in a chair in the midst of a building full of important–looking machinery. The man controls the on/off switch. The caption reads, “Sometimes the smallest job is the most important.”
Which is the most important on a snowy Sunday? Preaching or fixing the furnace that heats the church?
Which is most important on a mission trip? (more…)
July 25, 2011
Tags:
Giftedness, Volunteering
Sometimes, churches ask us about creating databases so that they can match member talents and spiritual gifts with volunteer needs. While this can be useful, we have two little caveats.
First, such a database won't always contain the people you need. For example, when I started putting a team together to work on what eventually became LifeKeys, I knew I wanted someone with a background like Sandra's in careers. I planned on handling most of the teaching and welcomed Jane who volunteered to do much of the writing. However, most of the other committee members joined because they were passionate about creating the new class I described. They had gifts of encouragement, wisdom, helps, shepherding, administration––all kinds of gifts I didn't know we needed until these wonderful people made their contributions (more…)
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How each personality type can draw closer to God |
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