Thoughts...•
on February 1st, 2010•
My wife Stacey stared at me from across our kitchen island. I knew she expected me to say something in reply to what she had just unloaded. I prayed for the right words.
“I’m just a mom,” she’d said. “I really don’t have much to offer at this season of my life, Erik. All I do is clean, cook, and shuttle kids from one activity to another. It is a twenty-four hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week assignment. There’s little time to rest and less time to think about fulfilling my special purpose from God.” It was the end of a busy day-and she was nearing the end of her rope. By now I knew she didn’t need a strategic plan from me; what she needed and wanted was a sensitive ear and heart.
We took a piece of paper and wrote down ten things she loved to do: coach, inspire, run, counsel, encourage, listen, help, read, provide, and organize.
Then we looked at her current commitments, to see where these awesome abilities could be put to use at this time in her life for God. Every morning at 5:30 she exercised with a group of women-a perfect opportunity to coach, inspire, and encourage others. Then there were the women in our small group at church. They needed her gifts too. Her ability to organize and help could be used to orchestrate the annual pastor’s wives retreat and quarterly gatherings.
By evening’s end, she’d begun to see that God could use her natural abilities during any and every season of her life. All she needed was to be available and aware. It didn’t matter whether what she did was noticed by others. That is never the point of serving God. Willing hearts are his delight.
The point isn’t whether what she’s doing right now is her ultimate Kingdom Purpose, which it very well could be. The truth is, motherhood is a big deal. But my wife, like many women today, simply wanted to do more for God. By making these little deposits of love into others lives, she is paying into her account for God. As someone once profoundly stated, “The difference between an ordinary day and an extraordinary day is not so much what you do, but who you do it for.”
Maybe this season in your life doesn’t include being a parent, but you’re still wondering how you can use your natural God-given abilities to bring glory to his name. More often than not, we enjoy doing the things we do well. Rick Warren writes: “The abilities you do have are a strong indication of what God wants you to do with your life. They are clues to knowing God’s will for you…. God doesn’t waste abilities; he matches our calling and our capabilities.”
Take a few moments to think about what you love doing, the tasks you feel confident performing. This review will help you discover the specific ways you can make deposits of love through serving. God wants one fact to hit home with us: he “has given each of us the ability to do certain things well” (Romans 12:6a, NLT). Like my wife and millions of others, you too excel at doing certain things.
If you are a mom…thanks for making a significant difference with your life! You matter to God!!!
Thoughts...•
on February 1st, 2010•
For years I tried to “do” things (activities) to make myself feel important and successful. I would go to church, I would read the Bible, I would pray, I would tithe, the list goes one. Simply put, I was trying to be a Christian, rather than just “being” one. Doing without being leads to frustration and disappointment.
Thankfully in 1998, I learned that God was in my life but not at the center of my life. I knew I would go to heaven when I died, but still lived with longing for my life to count. I spent a few days with a friend processing my life. Part of this time of reflection included reading Ps 139 once every hour for 2 days. That was such a powerful time in my life. The phrase “search me oh God” become way more than words, but a deep examination of my heart, mind, and soul. So I wrote everything I discovered during my “search” and surrendered them to God. This time of reflection ended with me crying like a baby asking God to forgive me of not fully trusting him.
I’m so thankful I learned that day that surrendering is the only way to live with a true sense of significance.
Have you given everything to God? If not, read Psalm 139 over and over until you have no anxiousness in your life.
God loves you!
Thoughts...•
on February 1st, 2010•
The Bible outlines a special list of gifts that God hands out to people. Our job is to unwrap them and use them to serve others. What gifts has God given you?
Administration: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by effectively organizing resources and people in order to efficiently reach ministry goals.
Apostleship: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by launching and leading new ministry ventures that advance God’s purposes and expand his kingdom. The original Greek meaning of the word is “sent one” (literally, one sent with authority, or as an ambassador).
Discernment: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by recognizing truth or error within a message, person, or event.
Encouragement: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by helping others live God-centered lives through inspiration, encouragement, counseling, and empowerment.
Evangelism: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by sharing the love of Christ with others in a way that draws them to respond by accepting God’s free gift of eternal life.
Faith: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by stepping out in faith in order to see God’s purposes accomplished, trusting him to handle any and all obstacles along the way.
Giving: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by joyfully supporting and funding various kingdom initiatives through material contributions beyond the tithe.
Healing: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by healing and restoring to health, beyond traditional and natural means, those who are sick, hurting, and suffering.
Helping: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by offering others assistance in reaching goals that glorify God and strengthen the body of Christ. This aptitude is sometimes referred to as the gift of “helps” or “service.”
Hospitality: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by providing others with a warm and welcoming environment for fellowship.
Interpretation: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by understanding, at a specific time, God’s message when spoken by another using a special language unknown to the others in attendance.
Knowledge: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by communicating God’s truth to others in a way that promotes justice, honesty, and understanding.
Leadership: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by casting vision, stimulating spiritual growth, applying strategies, and achieving success where God’s purposes are concerned.
Mercy: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by ministering to those who suffer physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Their actions are characterized by love, care, compassion, and kindness toward others.
Miracles: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ through supernatural acts that bring validity to God and his power.
Pastoring: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by taking spiritual responsibility for a group of believers and equipping them to live Christ-centered lives. Shepherding is another word used for this particular gift.
Prophecy: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by offering messages from God that comfort, encourage, guide, warn, or reveal sin in a way that leads to repentance and spiritual growth. The original Greek meaning of this word is “to speak forth the truth.” The gift of prophecy includes both “forth telling” (preaching), and “foretelling” (revelation).
Teaching: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by teaching sound doctrine in relevant ways, empowering people to gain a sound and mature spiritual education
Tongues: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by communicating God’s message in a special language unknown to the speaker.
Wisdom: The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by making wise decisions and counseling others with sound advice, all in accordance with God’s will.
What gifts has God given you?
Thoughts...•
on February 1st, 2010•
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Prov. 22:6 (NIV)
As a parent of three kids, I desire to do all I can do to help train my kids in the “way” they were designed by God to go. My wife and I are constantly thinking about ways to cultivate each our kids uniqueness. From helping them discover their special gifts to understanding how to God can use their experiences to serve others and share His love.
The truth is our kids come pre-wired, but they don’t come with an owners manual. I wish they did, but if they did we would need to depend on God to help us, which is exactly what he wants from us. As parents, we get the great opportunity to help them discover their uniqueness so they too can find and fulfill their purpose in life as they get older. WOW! What a great privilege and challenge.
I’m anticipating you and I share the same desire and my wife and I. You desire to see your kids reach their full potential. You desire to see them become all that God made them to be. I want you to know you are not alone. A survey we conducted at Saddleback Church indicated that over 60% of parents shared the same desire, but just needed help.
Here are the ABC’s to helping you kids.
Accept your responsibility – As a parent YOU are responsible to train your child. No ones else can do this. You can seek help from your church and extended family, but God calls you and hold you responsible. You can do it, but you first must accept the responsibility and ask God for strengthen daily, if not hourly for wisdom and strength. As you accept your responsibility, remember God calls us to train our kids in THE way they should go. Not the way, we want them to go. Way to often, parents (including me) want their kids to go the “way” they want them to without every taking the time to discover the way God designed them to. As one parent to another, please accept your responsibility so your kids will always know YOU are their biggest champion and cheerleader!
Become who God shaped you to be first – Do you realize you kids are watching and listening to you? They are more than you know. The fact is, we can’t pass on what we don’t possess ourselves. We can try, but it won’t last. I like to tell parents, “It’s not what you say that maters most, it’s what you kids see.” So as you commit to becoming who God shaped you to be and fulfilling your unique purpose in life enjoy the great opportunity to pass on these great truths of God to your kids.
Cultivate their S.H.A.P.E. – After you have accepted your responsibility to train your child and have committed to becoming who God shaped you to be, then you can move to the final step…cultivating their unique S.H.A.P.E. I have seen the concepts of S.H.A.P.E. work with kids as young as seven years old. Kids understand more than you think they do. It continues to amaze me how much my own kids comprehend stuff that I thought was “over” their heads.
It is one of the most rewarding roles I have as a parent.
You can do this!
Thoughts...•
on February 1st, 2010•
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
Illustrated with real-life stories, this inspiring and deeply insightful book guides you through a series of challenges that will help you uncover your God-given S.H.A.P.E.:
- Spiritual Gifts – A set of special abilities that God has given to you to share his love and serve others.
- Heart – The special passions God has given you so that you can glorify him on earth.
- Abilities – The set of talents that God gave you when you were born, which he also wants you to use to make an impact for him.
- Personality – The special way God wired you to navigate life and fulfill your unique Kingdom Purpose.
- Experiences – Those parts of your past, both positive and painful, which God intends to use in great ways.
This book will help you discover your unique “S.H.A.P.E.,” explore it, then apply it in ways that will bring confidence, freedom, clarity, and significance.
Now, Erik Rees expands on S.H.A.P.E. to help you answer the question that Rick Warren posed in Chapter 40 of The Purpose Driven® Life: What will be the contribution of my life? It is that question, Erik longs to help you answer. God wants you to live with the clarify and confidence of knowing who you are and the “good work” he has just for you to complete for him.