Fulfill Your Calling Through Service

In 1 Corinthians 12:27 I read, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." (NLT)

I need to be connected to a church family so I can fulfill my calling to serve other believers in practical ways. My service is desperately needed in the body of Christ.  Each believer has a role to play, and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters.

Likewise, there are no insignificant ministries in the church. Some are visible and some are behind the scenes, but all are valuable. Small or hidden ministries often make the biggest difference.

There is no correlation between size and significance when it comes to service in the body of Christ. Every ministry matters, because we are all dependent on each other to function.

What happens when one part of my body fails to function? It gets sick. The rest of the body suffers. Imagine if your liver decided to start living for itself: “I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me! Let some other part take over.”

What would happen? My body would die. Today thousands of local churches are dying because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines as spectators, and the body suffers.

God has called me to a service far beyond anything I could ever imagine. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “He has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” (GNT).

Whenever I serve others in any way, I am actually serving God.

In summary, I need to be connected to a church family so I can fulfill my calling to serve others in practical ways. Each believer has a role to play, and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters. Likewise, there are no insignificant ministries in the church. Some are visible and some are behind the scenes, but all are valuable. Small or hidden ministries often make the biggest difference. There is no correlation between size and significance. Every ministry matters, because we are all dependent on each other to function. What happens when one part of my body fails to function? The rest of the body suffers. God has called me to a service far beyond anything I could ever imagine. He has created me for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for me to do. Whenever I serve others in any way, I am actually serving God.

All of us together are Christ's body and each of us has a part. Desire the gifts that are most helpful. 

My Abilities Are God’s Map for My Life

In Hebrews 13:21 I read, “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him." (NLT)

Different animals are designed to excel in specific areas, and they can’t be expected to do all the other things. A duck is made to be a duck—not anything else.

 

It’s the same for people. God has designed each person different from all the others. When I expect everyone to fit in the same mold, the result is frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and failure.

God made me to be me. He has given me unique abilities, and he wants me to use them the way he intended.

If I’m wondering what God’s will is for my life? Look at my abilities. They’re my road map; they point me in the direction I should go. When I know what I’m good at, then I can know what God wants me to do with my life.

The Bible says, “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him” (Hebrews 13:21 NLT).

Through my abilities, God has equipped me to do his will. As I use those abilities, I’ll start to see how he produces “every good thing” in my life.

In summary, different animals are designed to excel in specific areas. They can’t be expected to do all the other things. It’s the same for people. God has designed each of us different from all the others. If I expect everyone to fit in the same mold, the result is frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and failure. God made me to be me. He has given me unique abilities, and he wants me to use them the way he intended. To find out what God’s will is for my life, I need to look at my abilities. They’re my road map; they point me in the direction I should go. When I know what I’m good at, then I can know what God wants me to do with my life. Through my abilities, God has equipped me to do his will. As I use those abilities, I’ll start to see how he produces “every good thing” in my life.

God works in me to make me the kind of person that would please him, and he equips me to do the kind of work that would please him. Allow God to change me from within and then use me to help others.

God Gives Me Abilities to Help Others

In Romans 7:4 I read, “Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God." (GNT)

God created me to help others. Regardless of my job or career, I am called to full-time Christian service. A “non-serving Christian” is a contradiction in terms.

The Bible says, “He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose” (2 Timothy 1:9 GNT).

Jesus came to earth with a mission. God has a mission for my life as well.

“You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you” (1 Peter 2:9 GW).

I may think that being called by God is something only missionaries, pastors, and other full-time church workers experience, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service.

God has given me unique talents and abilities to benefit others, and he’s gifted others with talents and abilities to benefit me. If I don’t share my talents with those around me, they’ll be cheated. If they don’t share their talents with me, I’ll miss out.

Everything in society says, “It’s all about me.” Yet nothing could be further from the truth! God is calling me to use my gifts to help others.

When I use my God-given abilities to help others, I am fulfilling my calling. The Bible says, “Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God” (Romans 7:4 GNT).

Jesus glorified God by fulfilling his mission. God wants me to follow that example.

In summary, God created me to help others. I am called to full-time Christian service. He saved me and called me to be his own, not because of what I have done, but because of his own purpose. Jesus came to earth with a mission. God has a mission for my life as well. I was chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God. Every Christian is called to service. God has given me unique talents and abilities to benefit others. If I don’t share my talents with those around me, they’ll be cheated. Society says, “It’s all about me.” Yet nothing could be further from the truth! God is calling me to use my gifts to help others. Jesus glorified God by fulfilling his mission. God wants me to follow that example.

When I die in my old life and belong to Christ, a new life begins. An unbeliever's life is centered on his or her own personal gratification. Those who don't follow Christ have only their own self-determination as their source of power. By contrast, God is at the center of a Christian's life. God supplies the power for the Christian's daily living. Believers find that their whole way of looking at the world changes when they come to Christ.

 

To Love, I Have to Listen

In Romans 15:2 I read, “We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.” (TLB)

Listening is probably the most important skill in building friendships and relationships. I can’t love people without listening to them.

But sometimes people run into trouble in their relationships when they think hearing and listening are the same thing. The truth is that there’s a big difference between hearing someone and listening to them.

I can hear something and not really be listening. I am hearing the words but not really listening to the emotions. Sometimes the words don’t even matter. Someone can say to me, “I’m fine,” but the way they say it tells me that they’re not. Listening means I also hear what the person isn’t saying.

When I listen that way, I’m showing empathy. Empathy means to put myself in the other person’s shoes and learn their point of view. I ask myself, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”

Listening with empathy means I listen without interruption and I listen for what’s not being said—the feelings and fears behind the words. And I don’t need to try to fix the situation; sometimes healing comes just from someone listening!

Romans 15:2 says, “We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others” (TLB).

What does it mean to be considerate or to bear the burden of someone else’s doubts? It means that—when people are in so much pain that they don’t even know what they believe—they need the devotion of a loyal friend. They need someone who will be present and listen with empathy. Will I be that friend today?

In summary, listening is probably the most important skill in building friendships and relationships. I can’t love people without listening to them. Often we think hearing and listening are the same thing, however there’s a big difference between hearing someone and listening to them. I can hear something and not really be listening. I am hearing the words but not really listening to the emotions. Sometimes the words don’t even matter. Someone can say to me, “I’m fine,” but the way they say it tells me that they’re not. Listening means I also hear what the person isn’t saying. When I listen that way, I’m showing empathy, which puts me in the other person’s shoes and to learn their point of view. Listening with empathy means I listen without interruption and I listen for what’s not being said—the feelings and fears behind the words. I don’t need to try to fix the situation; sometimes healing comes just from someone listening! To be considerate or to bear the burden of someone else’s doubts? It means that—when people are in so much pain that they don’t even know what they believe—they need the devotion of a loyal friend. They need someone who will be present and listen with empathy. 

I need to look after the good of the people around me, asking myself, “How can I help?” I need to be considerate and help others do what is right. Listening is probably the most important skill in building friendships and relationships. I can love others without listening to them. There's a big difference between hearing and listening. Listening means I also hear what the person isn't saying. This is empathy and it's where I put myself in the other person's shoes and learn their point of view. I need to listen without interruption and listen for fears and feelings. Often healing comes by listening. Others need the devotion of a loyal friend, someone who will be present and listen with empathy.  

Finding the Courage to Connect

In 2 Timothy 1:7 I read, “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.” (TLB)

When I’m full of fear and anxiety, I won’t get close to others. Instead, I end up backing off. I fear being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, or used, and these fears cause me to disconnect from the people around me.

This fear is as old as humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, God came looking for them. Then Adam said, “I was afraid . . . and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 ESV). People have been hiding ever since.

I may not be physically hiding, but I hide my true self. I don’t let people know what I’m really like. I don’t let them see inside me. Why? Because I believe that if I show people my true self and they don’t like it, I’ll be up a creek without a paddle. Instead, I pretend to be someone I’m not.

This fear leads to three things that will damage my relationships:

Fear makes me defensive. I’m afraid to reveal myself, but people inevitably spot some of my weaknesses. And when they point out those weaknesses, I defend myself and retaliate.

Fear keeps me distant. I’m afraid to be open and honest—to let people get close to me. Instead, I withdraw and pull back so I can hide my emotions. I become defensive and distant.

Fear makes me demanding. The more insecure I am, the more I try to control and dominate. For me, it might look like I always have to get the last word in a conversation. Being demanding is always a symptom of fear and insecurity.

Clearly, fear only damages my relationships. But where do I get the courage to take the first step to connect with someone and move toward deeper intimacy?

I get it from God’s Spirit in my life. Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them” (TLB).

How do I know I’m filled with God’s Spirit? I’m filled with God’s Spirit when I’ve become more courageous in my relationships. Rather than fearing people, I’m free to love them and enjoy being with them.

The Bible says that “God is love” (1 John 4:8 TLB) and that “perfect love drives out all fear” (1 John 4:18 GNT). The more of God I have in my life, the less fear I’m going to have.

The starting point in connecting with anyone is to pause, pray, and say, “God, give me the courage to take the first step.” Am I ready to pray for one of my relationships today?

In summary, when I’m full of fear and anxiety, I won’t get close to others. I end up backing off. I fear being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, or used. These fears cause me to disconnect and hide my true self. I don’t let people know what I’m really like. I don’t let them see inside me. I believe that if I show people my true self and they don’t like it, I’ll be up a creek without a paddle. Instead, I pretend to be someone I’m not. This fear leads to three things that will damage my relationships: First fear makes me defensive. I’m afraid to reveal myself, but people inevitably spot some of my weaknesses. And when they point out those weaknesses, I defend myself and retaliate. Secondly fear keeps me distant. I’m afraid to be open and honest—to let people get close to me. Instead, I withdraw and pull back so I can hide my emotions. I become defensive and distant. And last fear makes me demanding. The more insecure I am, the more I try to control and dominate. Being demanding is always a symptom of fear and insecurity. So fear only damages my relationships. But where do I get the courage to take the first step to connect? I get it from God’s Spirit in my life. God does not want me to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. I’m filled with God’s Spirit when I’ve become more courageous in my relationships. Rather than fearing people, I’m free to love them and enjoy being with them. God is love and perfect love drives out all fear. The more of God I have in my life, the less fear I’m going to have. The starting point in connecting with anyone is to pause, pray, and say, “God, give me the courage to take the first step.” Am I ready to do this?

In this chapter, Paul urged Timothy to be bold. If I allow people to intimidate me, I neutralize my effectiveness for God. The power of the Holy Spirit can help me overcome my fear of what some might say or do to me so that I can continue to do God's work. Paul mentions three characteristics of the effective Christian leader: power, love and self-discipline. These are available to me because the Holy Spirit lives in me. I am to follow his lead each day so that my life will more fully exhibit these characteristics. In this time of mounting persecution, Timothy may have been afraid to continue preaching the Good News. His fears were based on fact because believers were being arrested and executed. Paul told Timothy to expect suffering, Timothy, like Paul, would be jailed for preaching the Good News. But Paul promised Timothy that God would give him strength and that he would be ready when it was his turn to suffer. Even when there is no persecution, sharing my faith in Christ can be difficult. Fortunately, myself, like Paul and Timothy, can rely on the Holy Spirit to give me courage. Don't be ashamed to testify of my personal faith in Jesus Christ.