This morning I had a conversation with a friend of mine about serving. Who is called to serve, who isn’t, why some of us feel a great need to serve, and why others don’t, and who are those called to support those who serve and so on. Then, out of the blue, I read this blog post by Kyle called Go and then I will provide, and figured he just beat me to the punch.
Over the past 6-8 months I have come across so many different types of ministries that were called to serve in one area or another. Some of them did what a Pastor from Uganda said they did in their church, they went, knowing and expecting God to provide, and started a plant church in a rural area of Uganda. The topic of discussion has been on my heart for some time, and in a personal way. Besides really trying to understand where God wants me to be with my life, I am trying to understand if God wants me to serve in a full time position or not.
The concept of “going” is contrary to what we know and think, especially in this country where we have to plan everything to the inth degree before we do anything. Scriptures don’t talk about going without planning, understanding, or a calling, but also to go and not wait for every single little detail to be worked out before deciding, yes, this is where I am called to be and this is where I will go.
Romans 12: 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
To Serve is a gift spoken about in Romans along with teaching, leading, giving, showing mercy, and several others. Like Kyle, I have spent years praying about where I am to serve, and in what capacity, but I find Kyle’s calling to be the start of an incredible journey for him. Coming to the conclusion that you should “go, and then I will provide” at his age (way way younger than me) is a great calling from God where He can use Kyle without wandering through the desert for 40 years before coming to that realization.
For me, I wait for confirmation from God, in hopes of recognizing it when it shows up, taking advantage of the opportunity when it does, putting aside my fears of the unknown, and remembering that God will provide.
I took these two photos of Deb’s oil lamp above a few minutes ago thinking about all this and 1,000 other things. Many times I feel like we as Christians are like this first photo. Just waiting around for God, for something, someone, to light our fire before we will go out and serve. The fuel is there, the fire is there, the two just have to come together at the same time to allow us to shine in His brilliance. But it takes fire (light), fuel, something to burn, and something to hold it all together to make it happen.
2 responses to “We Have Different Gifts, According to the Grace Given Us”
So… where are you being led? He is obviously talking to you….you are obviously listening… hmmm.. just some thoughts.
I am reminded as you mention that, of God’s call to Abram (Abraham)…he was getting on just fine in “his fathers land” when God calls him to move by faith. More importantly, he doesnt tell him WHERE or WHY, just that he is to go.
He says รขโฌลGo from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (Gen 12:1) He has this man pick up and move his family, without even Knowing WHERE he is to go… now that’s moving on Faith!
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