Day 31

Chapter Thirty-One: Understanding Your Shape

I found this chapter interesting, considering my responses to yesterday's chapter...

One of the common excuses people give for not serving is "I just don't have any abilities to offer." This is ludicrous. YOu have dozens, probably hundreds of untapped, unrecognized, and unused abilites that are lying dormant inside you. -Rick Warren

Okay okay...so what are MY abilities? I am getting a grasp of what I like to do...but what am I good at??

In determining your shape for seving God, you should examine at least six kinds of experiences from your past:

1. Family experiences
2. Educational experiences
3. Vocational experiences
4. Spiritual experiences
5. Ministry experiences
6. Painful experiences

God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to equip you for ministry to others. -Rick Warren

I agree that painful experiences, harbored inside do little to no good for anyone-especially yourself. Growing past the experience requires helping others who are going through the same conflicts.

Point to Ponder: Nobody else can be me.

Verse to Remember: 1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings.

Question to Consider: What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?

I am actually pretty good at organizing events. I would love to work on a committee to organize a charitable event--something that I have done in the past. I worked for the American Red Cross, and I also helped to organize two food drives for the needy during the holidays.

I can also offer a ministry to women who are considering abortion. Or who have been the victim of rape.