Tammy was listening in pure amazement of hearing her daughter singing a gospel song doing riffs. She knew she was singing with all of her heart in praise. She had a flashback of herself singing as a teen in church holding the microphone pouring out her gift of song, but she walked away years ago from singing in the choir after a bad experience. She wanted to protect herself and her daughter from ever experiencing pain like that again from what she deemed of “church hurt” in being involved so she kept them both uninvolved in being active at their church. She would though have her radio station in the car locked to their favorite gospel station listening on the way to work and school for them to enjoy. She enjoyed harmonizing her light soprano with the lovely tone of her daughter’s alto on songs in the car. The church they were attending was starting up a young adult choir. They were in need of dedicated people who had a love of God, worship, and a heart of service to share in coming together. She felt a nudge as she walked passed the sign up table to join. Her daughter encouraged her to sign up, as her daughter was interested in singing as well. Tammy quickly said, “Honey, I just don’t have the time for that.” However, she knew in her heart that she wanted to, but she was frozen by the hurts from her past. She sat on her gifting and love of singing out of fear of what could happen if she joined.
A Gift With The Young
Sara had away with youth every since college while being an active volunteer at an afterschool program for at risk children. The children seemed to open themselves up to her naturally. She was often complimented on how well she worked with children, and she was asked if she was a teacher. She graciously smiled in a bashful uncertainty of knowing what she did to make kids feel so comfortable in connecting with her. She loved being with young people as equally as they were with being with her. She helped out occasionally with the youth events at church. The pastor asked her one Sunday following church if she would be interested in being on the youth advisor board. She took interest in consideration of being apart of the team, but she was nervous of her ability in taking on a lead role.
Silent Impactful Gifts
BeLinda wanted to be more involved in her church and community, but struggled in discovering her gifts in being apart to give of herself. She loved music, but she didn’t enjoy standing in front of others in song like her sister Marshall. She was more quiet and introveretd in her personality. She enjoyed bible study, and participated in answering questions. She didn’t want to be a teacher though. BeLinda was now a retired empty nester looking for something to be involved in that was positive. BeLinda was always shy, but she had a caring heart to give. She saw a flyer in passing at church seeking voleenteers to help with the community food pantry. The meeting for all voleenteers was next Thursday night at 6:30pm. BeLinda smiled in thanking God for seeing the flyer. She pulled out her planner and she circled the date knowing she would be there ready to work.
Romans 12: 6–8
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 encourging, 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.
Our Gifts
The three examples above showed three women who were gifted in various ways in which they could be used for the Lord in service. We all have different ways in which we can be used by God to be of service as living disciples of Jesus Christ. Our gifts are beyond that of performing arts. We can be used and anointed in building up our chuch and communities in service differently. We are to be open to the call of our responsibility as believers to worship, praise, and be of services to God with His calling for our lives. We can draw closer to God in our unselfish efforts to walk in the strength of our gifting in sharing the love of Christ with obedience. We in doing so set a positive example for our children to follow in growing in discipleship.
Please hold the following steps in your mind and heart in discovering and sharing your gifts of service for the Lord:
- Remember our gifts come from the Lord, and they didn’t originate from ourselves.
- It is our duty and responsibility as believers to worship, serve, praise, and bare witness to God in all we do.
- Search and discover your gifts and talents to be of service in your church and community. (Many churches provide surveys, worships, and there is also helpful surveys online)
- Never allow the hurt from your past to control you in not walking fully to what or where God called you to be.
- Pray, trust, and have faith in God to provide you with what you need to guide you in your ability or to handle the task at hand.
- Know that our gifts vary, but are equal if we serve to minister in pure heart to glorify God in what we do.
- Be humble and not boastful of you gifts.
- Know that there’s a difference between talent and anointing. Many are talented, but few are appointed by the Holy Spirit.
- Nurture the gifts and abilities of your children. Teaching them the importance of honoring their gifts to glory God.
- Seek to serve with purpose and not titles or position.
Purpose Filled Mommy with Minimarie 