Last week, we discussed self-leadership. One of the most (if not the most) critical aspects of self-leadership is that we have to know that our calling is sure. How can we pour our lives into our God-given ministry (and I am taking the form of the word “ministry” to mean not just what we do at church but what you do with our whole lives!) if we aren’t even sure that we are doing what we are called to do?

I think that God has gifted each of us with spiritual gifts that He wants us to develop fully to advance His Kingdom! I heard a pastor say it this way, “Not using your spiritual gifts to your fullest is like being given the gift of sight, but instead choosing to go through life with your eyes closed.” So first of all, you have to know your spiritual gifts. There are several good surveys you can take that will give you an idea of what those are, but another way of knowing your gifts is to just reflect back on your life. What were you doing when you felt most alive? What gave you the moments in your life when you truly had the feeling that you were born to do this?

I have taken the time to reflect (through spiritual gift inventories and personal experience) on what my top two spiritual gifts are: My top one is teaching–I love being there when others have break-through moments and think of something in a new and fresh way! I love sharing with others what God has shown me because I know they may be going through some of the same things that I am. My second gift is leadership: I don’t say that lightly or arrogantly. In fact, in has taken me several years to embrace this gift because I am well aware of the incredible responsibility that comes with it. But, I do love bringing people together to solve problems and achieve goals as a team. I love working with others and developing them to be the people God wants them to be.

So, your task this week–if you don’t already know what they are–is to explore and pray about your personal spiritual gifts. You do have them! I pray that you would find them out and then develop them to your fullest! If you want, share them with me and I will pray for you that they are developed in your life.

Next week, we will dig a little deeper into our callings.

More to come…
Jeremy