Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Shape Week 4-Redefining Shape

It is part of human psychology that we are a classifying species. We give names and titles to things and spend our time trying to define what we are and are not. This is not a bad thing for the most part, of course. It is how we understand and interpret the world, how we gain understanding from others. As Christians, however, what can be a harmful tendency in the Kingdom regarding spiritual gifts is when we try and compartmentalize or classify the Holy Spirits movements.
               
  This week, Pastor Aaron continued the “Shape” series, discussing the ways in which our “puzzle piece” fits into the body of Christ. There were many spiritual gifts described; from missions, to administration, to music, to mercy, to teaching, to encouragement, to everything else (found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4). But it was not necessarily the descriptions of these gifts, as it was the truth that covered each of them that spoke to me. At one point, Pastor Aaron made an example of the pastoral position in the church today, recognizing that “preacher” and “pastor” are not synonymous, though closely related. Hear that? Its the sound of jaws hitting the floor in the majority of America. While we have many positions and titles within the church world today, it is important to understand that though these are often accompanied by spiritual gifts, the positions are not the gifts themselves.
              
  I believe that many of us (myself included) have at some point, or currently are ignoring or minimizing our gifts because they do not fit into the specific titles we see all the time. As a college student who is constantly being asked to assign herself a title for her future, I am all too familiar with this scramble to shove our “piece” in the picture somewhere before we look too lost. What I have learned, though, is if you try and fit a square peg into a round hole, you CAN do it. You can jam and twist that sucker in there until it is indeed in the round hole. But to do this means the peg becomes damaged. The sharp corners become worn down, it gets scratched up and dulled—it is barely fitting into its role, and it is no longer as effective at the thing for which it was intended.
             
  I personally can recall a point in time where I was a bass player for the youth group at Freedom. Now of course, this essentially happened because our only real bassist was on his way to graduation (shoutout to Joe Harrier III), and no one was wrong for asking me to learn or to play; no one forced me into the round hole of musicianship. I remember, however, being antsy for practices to end and not wanting to practice, even though my knowledge of the instrument was sufficient. Eventually, I created in myself a lackluster for serving, which is one of my actual spiritual gifts. Yes, my peg was able to fit, but simply having the ability to serve did not make this position the right fit for me. Thankfully, we serve the Maker of all creation, who is an excellent sculptor. Through devotion, prayer, and being intentional about identifying and growing our spiritual gifts, He can reform all of us exhausted little square pegs to be as effective as we were meant to be.


  This week, I encourage you to let go of the restraints your own mind has put on what the Holy Spirit can do through you, or what kind of gifts you might possess. It can be difficult, as we all want to understand everything, but God works in ways that are often mysterious to us, and trust and surrender are so important in that. When we lay down our own desired titles at the cross, we lay the groundwork for building our true identity as part of the body of Christ.

Written by: Brianna Vanderveen
Edited by: Brigit Edwards

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Shape Week 3-Taking Action

Whether or not you have identified your spiritual gift(s), each person possesses a unique ability given to them by the Spirit. As 1 Corinthians 12:7 states, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  In possessing these gifts, it is important to have an understanding of how to recognize your gift(s), how to refine your gift(s), and what the intention is behind each gift. Once we are able to recognize, refine, and understand the purpose of each gift, we are then able to be more effective in our ministry.

Before being able to identify your spiritual gifts, it’s important to have an understanding of what a spiritual gift is. Simply defined, it is a God-given ability created with the intention of ministering to another person. Unlike talents, spiritual gifts are created for service. Talents can also be used to serve in ministry; however, spiritual gifts are different, in the sense, that they exceed human nature to manifest the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts always glorify God, and never glorify oneself.

In order to discover our gifts, we must first study the different listings in the Bible. In addition, we must note the role of the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible. Through a foundation of study, coupled with prayer, analysis, testing, and feedback from others, we will have the basis necessary to identify what gifts we may possess. Some important questions to ask when identifying one’s gift are: a.) Does this ability act in a way that the Holy Spirit would? b.) Does it fit my personality? c.) Is it benefiting others? d.) Is it something I’m good at?

Finally, developing one’s gift(s) is essential to the effectiveness of ministry. You have a gift, so use it! In order to fulfill the Spirit’s intention, we must develop sensitivity to the Spirit. This will help us determine how, and when it is appropriate to use our gifts. Although the ability is already present, a gift becomes effective when we exercise it with the fruit of the Spirit. As stated earlier, the intention of a spiritual gift is ministry. Thus, it is vital that we utilize our abilities in a way that is uplifting.

Taking it a step further:

1.       Read the listings of spiritual gifts in the Bible, and identify what gifts you feel that you possess.(Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11)       
                                     
2.       Ask someone you trust if they see that gift in you.


3.       Pray for a sensitivity to the Spirit, and an ability to discern appropriate time and usage of your gift. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Shape Week 2-Finding a Fit

As a kid, I can remember trying to put a puzzle together and getting so frustrated when I couldn’t get the right fit for a specific piece. I would even try to jam pieces into places they clearly didn’t belong, just because I wanted to complete the picture. My impatient personality was not willing to wait for the distinct surroundings necessary to compliment the bumps, gaps, and shape of a single puzzle piece. In the same sense, each of us is molded with specific experiences, gifts, abilities, personalities, and desires that have shaped us to fit a specific role in God’s big “picture.”

Like a puzzle piece possesses “bumps” along its edges, we experience pain in our lives that may alter our shape, and create a “bump along the road.” These bumps are not to be disregarded, however, as they may fill a gap in someone else’s life. As Philippians 2:13 states,For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” Nobody likes to go through difficult times, but when we allow God to use what has re-shaped us, He can find a fit and use for our experiences that will fulfill a greater purpose.

In addition to the bumps of a puzzle piece, it’s important to note that each piece possesses gaps. As 1 Corinthians 7:7 states, “But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.” We are not perfect people. Likewise, we shouldn’t try and fit our “piece of the puzzle” into an area where we are lacking. An important part of using your gifts, abilities, personality, and heart is to know what does, and what does NOT suit you. If you are not good at something, don’t try and make it “fit.” Rather, shift your focus to the desires God has already instilled in you that coincide with who you are!

Finally, finding the fit in a puzzle piece is completely dependent on placement. You can have the perfect “shape” to complete a puzzle, but if you do not have the correct placement, the puzzle piece is not fulfilling the purpose it possesses. Likewise, it’s so important that we find the areas in which God has called us to serve. The world is full of areas lacking in practical, spiritual, and personal needs. Thus, it is our duty, as Christians, to fulfill these needs utilizing the shape we have been given.

Taking it a step further:

Step 1: Identify the things that have shaped you. What have you been through, and what have you learned? Ask God, “How can You use the things I’ve been through to fulfill a greater purpose?”

Step 2: Shift your focus to what fits your shape. Never attempt to fulfill a ministry need if you are clearly the wrong person for the job. Rather, take into account your spiritual gifts, your abilities, your personality, your experience, and your heart to determine a ministry that suits who you are.


Step 3: Develop your ministry. Whoever God has shaped you to be, begin to utilize your abilities, gifts, experiences, and desires. Constantly look for ways in which God can use you to fulfill His desires. 

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant
Edited by: De Ann Sturdivant

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Shape Week 1-A Call to Serve

Whether you are waiting for the “right time,” you feel like you’ve FINISHED your time, or you feel like you just don’t HAVE time, we are all called to serve. As Ephesians 2:10   states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. As Paul boldly describes in this verse, we are more than just a happenstance creation. God created us to walk in His perfect will. In other words, God made each one of us uniquely to do something amazing for His kingdom! It’s also important to note that the “good works” God has equipped us with have been prepared in us beforehand (by God.) Likewise, if God leads us to serve on a specific platform, He has provided us with what we need to do so. Thus, whether you are intimidated by the thought of serving, or feel like throwing in the towel, we all must hold tight to the truth that God has created us on purpose for a purpose, and it is our duty to fulfill this call.

Furthermore, it is essential to follow the call God has placed on our lives because if we don’t, we are interfering with His perfect plan. Sure, God could probably find someone else to get the job done. However, when we are complacent or timid with our service, we detach ourselves from His plan, thus forfeiting what He had planned to do in and through us.

Finally, as a church we are called to serve. The Bible states in Romans 4-5, For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Each of us has been created to fulfill a specific role, whatever that may be. Likewise, each one of our different “functions” play an important role in the “body” of Christ, and we must all use the gifts God has given us to effectively serve. Therefore, if we all submit our unique abilities to God’s direction, we are able to function as the body of Christ, ultimately completing His perfect will.

Taking it a step further:

Step 1: Find out what your gifts are. What has God created in you that is unique?

Step2: Find a platform. Pray and ask God, “How can I use the gifts you have given me to serve you?”

Step 3: Make service a part of your everyday routine. Service isn’t just something that should take place on Sunday mornings. Constantly, God seeks to use our gifts to carry out His plan.  Make it a part of your daily prayer life to ask the question, “God, what are you up to today and how can I be a part of it? (Quote- Pastor Aaron)”

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant