Hi Everyone -- I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I haven't switched over to the new page just yet. Blogger was down some over the weekend and I didn't have a chance to get the new page completely set up -- so we'll give it another week if that's ok with you.
Last week, I started the new series on Spiritual gifts and I'd like to continue with that for the next few Mondays. Today we're going to take a look at some of the personalities behind giftings and how you can know if you are operating in your gift set or outside of it.
Today, let's take a look at the "hands-on" gift of SERVICE. People who possess this gift are typically those who are satisfied to work behind the scenes. They don't want recognition for their work, but appreciate being thanked for it. Within the church setting, those with the gift of Service are well suited to work with their hands (running audio or video equipment, setting up and taking down sets and furnishings, keeping the grounds, maintenance, organizing sacraments like Communion and Baptism or special events, etc.). Those with service gifts do well working in teams but can be just as satisfied working independently.
We are all called to be servants of God and to serve one another in love. But the servant who possesses the spiritual gift of service is unique in his/her abilities to serve the body of Christ. When we serve one another in love or serve God we use our unique giftings to do so. The person uniquely gifted to serve simply has a natural capacity to be the hands of God in doing so.
People who possess the hands-on gift of Service are happiest when they are busy. Idle time doesn't do well for those who like to work behind the scenes. These gifts are easily overlooked and under appreciated by the body of Christ but they are incredibly important. Buildings would go in disrepair, facts and figures would be disorganized, worship services wouldn't run as smoothly and the overall organization of the church would be very difficult without those who are willing to use their gift of Service generously. It's so important to thank those who have this most special gift -- not in a public manner but in a personal "1 on 1 way"...a simple note, a word of thanks or appreciation with a hug or pat on the back will make these folks feel appreciated, needed and wanted. Ignore these people, and they won't say anything - they will just quietly disappear into the crowd or leave.
God intends for our gifts to be used for good and He enables us to use these gifts especially well when we abide in Him. We we step outside of His direction though, our gifts can help us to know that we have because they become the exact opposite of themselves. Abide in the Spirit - gifts are used for good -- Abide in Self -- gifts become selfish or self directed. For instance, someone whose strong gift is serving when abiding in the Spirit will become needy, co-dependent, selfish and critical when abiding in Self. They will become resentful and withdrawn if their gifts aren't being used effectively, which is direct opposite of their natural gifting. Remember - the enemy always acts in direct opposition to God, so if you have the gift of Service and some of these actions and attitudes are present, then you may be operating outside the spirit of God's direction and in serving self you give over to the enemy's schemes.
I believe that Christians should be sensitive to their spiritual gifts when making career choices and relationship choices too. We are to use our gifts to build up the church but that's not just the local church -- it's the global church too and if we are to carry out the Great Commission in reaching the lost, we'll be so much more comfortable in doing so if we are operating in our gift set. It's far reaching and really should be considered in making the major decisions of our lives.
What types of careers are good for those with "hands on" gift of service?
The best careers for this gift would be service oriented and hands on. Working independently, without a lot of supervision is great for someone who is service oriented because they are typically responsible and trustworthy. Working with their hands, tools, technology, equipment, physical type work all fits well with a service oriented person. Fire, rescue, police/sheriff, paramedics, etc. make great jobs for service oriented Christians. Cooks, wait-staff, clerical staff, gardeners, farmers, carpenters, tradesmen (plumbing, electrical, masonry, etc.) as well as medical support professions (x-ray, lab tech, research, etc.) all fit into the types of work that someone with the gift of Service might find deeply satisfying. Of course this list isn't complete, but I hope it will get the ideas flowing if you are someone who is seeking career information or direction or maybe you have an interest in knowing why your current job may or may not bring "soul" satisfaction.
I encourage you to embrace this beautiful gift if God has blessed you with it. Be satisfied in knowing that what you do, is not done for man's eyes, but for God's.
Scripture of the Day: "Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100
Until tomorrow...be blessed...not stressed! Amy
Last week, I started the new series on Spiritual gifts and I'd like to continue with that for the next few Mondays. Today we're going to take a look at some of the personalities behind giftings and how you can know if you are operating in your gift set or outside of it.
Today, let's take a look at the "hands-on" gift of SERVICE. People who possess this gift are typically those who are satisfied to work behind the scenes. They don't want recognition for their work, but appreciate being thanked for it. Within the church setting, those with the gift of Service are well suited to work with their hands (running audio or video equipment, setting up and taking down sets and furnishings, keeping the grounds, maintenance, organizing sacraments like Communion and Baptism or special events, etc.). Those with service gifts do well working in teams but can be just as satisfied working independently.
We are all called to be servants of God and to serve one another in love. But the servant who possesses the spiritual gift of service is unique in his/her abilities to serve the body of Christ. When we serve one another in love or serve God we use our unique giftings to do so. The person uniquely gifted to serve simply has a natural capacity to be the hands of God in doing so.
People who possess the hands-on gift of Service are happiest when they are busy. Idle time doesn't do well for those who like to work behind the scenes. These gifts are easily overlooked and under appreciated by the body of Christ but they are incredibly important. Buildings would go in disrepair, facts and figures would be disorganized, worship services wouldn't run as smoothly and the overall organization of the church would be very difficult without those who are willing to use their gift of Service generously. It's so important to thank those who have this most special gift -- not in a public manner but in a personal "1 on 1 way"...a simple note, a word of thanks or appreciation with a hug or pat on the back will make these folks feel appreciated, needed and wanted. Ignore these people, and they won't say anything - they will just quietly disappear into the crowd or leave.
God intends for our gifts to be used for good and He enables us to use these gifts especially well when we abide in Him. We we step outside of His direction though, our gifts can help us to know that we have because they become the exact opposite of themselves. Abide in the Spirit - gifts are used for good -- Abide in Self -- gifts become selfish or self directed. For instance, someone whose strong gift is serving when abiding in the Spirit will become needy, co-dependent, selfish and critical when abiding in Self. They will become resentful and withdrawn if their gifts aren't being used effectively, which is direct opposite of their natural gifting. Remember - the enemy always acts in direct opposition to God, so if you have the gift of Service and some of these actions and attitudes are present, then you may be operating outside the spirit of God's direction and in serving self you give over to the enemy's schemes.
I believe that Christians should be sensitive to their spiritual gifts when making career choices and relationship choices too. We are to use our gifts to build up the church but that's not just the local church -- it's the global church too and if we are to carry out the Great Commission in reaching the lost, we'll be so much more comfortable in doing so if we are operating in our gift set. It's far reaching and really should be considered in making the major decisions of our lives.
What types of careers are good for those with "hands on" gift of service?
The best careers for this gift would be service oriented and hands on. Working independently, without a lot of supervision is great for someone who is service oriented because they are typically responsible and trustworthy. Working with their hands, tools, technology, equipment, physical type work all fits well with a service oriented person. Fire, rescue, police/sheriff, paramedics, etc. make great jobs for service oriented Christians. Cooks, wait-staff, clerical staff, gardeners, farmers, carpenters, tradesmen (plumbing, electrical, masonry, etc.) as well as medical support professions (x-ray, lab tech, research, etc.) all fit into the types of work that someone with the gift of Service might find deeply satisfying. Of course this list isn't complete, but I hope it will get the ideas flowing if you are someone who is seeking career information or direction or maybe you have an interest in knowing why your current job may or may not bring "soul" satisfaction.
I encourage you to embrace this beautiful gift if God has blessed you with it. Be satisfied in knowing that what you do, is not done for man's eyes, but for God's.
Scripture of the Day: "Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100
Until tomorrow...be blessed...not stressed! Amy
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