Serving an Extraordinary God
Paul warns us not to compare our life with the lives of others … (2 Corinthians 10:12). It’s not about what we do; it’s about who we are. Read Psalm 78:72 – a great leadership verse. “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” David first needed integrity of heart before he could use skillful hands. Character always trumps competence!
In 1 Peter 4:10-11 Paul divides spiritual gifts into 2 categories: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone SPEAKS, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone SERVES, he should do it with the strength God provides.
Those with upfront gifts are seen by others using their gifts. Therefore, they often receive affirmation that God has worked through them to impact others spiritually.
But perhaps you have a behind-the-scenes gift. People don’t necessarily see what you do, and if they do, they don’t think to affirm your spiritual impact. When you serve behind-the-scenes, what you do is just as important as what any speaker does. It’s only in heaven that you will know the impact you have had on others. So serve with all the strength that God provides, and leave the results to God. He will use you as He chooses for His glory.
God has positioned you exactly where He wants you in His Church. He will use you as a “world changer” right where you are. Bloom where God plants you. The most important part of Paul’s challenge is this: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.’
Perhaps you think that your life isnt making a difference. Or maybe you’ve said to yourself, Wait a minute! Im nobody special! Im just an average person living a normal life doing everyday things. Why would God use me to do anything special?
Your life touches more people than you know. You impact your family and friends, your colleagues at work, the people who attend your church, your neighbors and many others. Your life has directly impacted everyone you know, everybody who has observed you from afar, and anyone who knows anything about you.
Most people are just regular folks living lives the world never notices. Yet God still calls common, ordinary people to undertake assignments that impact others far beyond their earthly lives.
You are never ordinary when you serve an extraordinary God!
© 2011 Designed to Serve®
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
