Gifted Ministry

There are many Christians out there who don’t understand Yahweh gives them gifts and talents that come from Him.

Further still, some might not understand that sometimes the best ministry is sticking to what you’re good at with the gifts God has given to you.

If you have an amazing singing voice, like Mr. Brian Nhira, that seems to be the ideal path to take for your life. Perhaps you’ll understand music with an ease that might force someone else to pull their hair out.

If you have the grammar skills to write entire books, like Mr. Brandon Sanderson, that’s likely a sign of what you’re meant to do.

I’m not the biggest Joel Osteen fan (not that he’s necessarily bad) but he’s right about staying positive and God equipping you with what you need to accomplish your mission in this life.

If you have a BPPV disorder (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), then becoming a jet pilot probably isn’t an idea to follow through with, no matter how cool.

Likewise, if you suffer from paralysis, then running is out of the question.

But that doesn’t mean you still can’t do something with the body that God has given you.

Sure, you might not be able to run, but you might be able to play basketball in a wheelchair or play guitar.

Some limits are there to keep us from taking paths that don’t enrich our lives or purpose to make a mark on this world.

And that’s OK.

But our gifts are a ministerial calling that cannot be revoked once we take on the yoke of Christ’s beautiful simplicity in following God’s commandments.

Being preachy might not get you there, and you might be an artist who is a believer, but not a belief-focused artist, if that makes sense.

For me, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so I have this faith section on my site where I discuss faith-related topics (even ones most people don’t dare to go).

But my novels aren’t always faith-based, even if my faith comes through in the material.

The best way to minister to others is to use your gift to bring them joy, fulfillment, and gratitude, since God has made it possible.

Music is one of my favorite things in this world, and I love the fact that God gifted certain people with the ability to play instruments with such precision and finesse. It seems almost heavenly.

Throughout the Bible, we see God gift people with talents and His glory increases. David was a master musician when he played the harp, inciting Saul’s jealousy since the people loved it. Joseph had been gifted dream interpretation, ultimately fulfilling his purpose by using his gift.

Solomon was gifted wisdom, simply because he had asked God for it. Now we have many Proverbs and wisdom books to glean information from, even if in his personal life he failed to live up to the wisdom he gave due to his excess lust and treaties he had formed.

But that teaches us we don’t need to be perfect to use our gifts, only willing to do it for His glory.

That’s ultimately what it’s about—God’s ultimate glory.

The best example to unbelievers is living your life in a fashion that makes them understand and see Jesus, even if He is not directly being preached. Wes Huff recently says, “There are five gospels.” And he meant our lives, considering our King’s example to us to be put forth to others.

Our life is a gospel, full of the good news that our sins are washed away in Christ.

The method by which all Israel (the rest of the tribes besides Judah and Benjamin) will be restored to their proper place.

The method by which all humanity is saved from death.

Jesus IS our gift from on high.

But He’d like us to use our gifts to spread His love to others as much as possible. That is true ministry, to fill the needs of others by denying our selfishness and following Him wholeheartedly.

If you’ve been given the Midas touch when you bake a cake, then use it to cater churches after Sunday services.

If you’ve been offered business acumen unlike any other person in your life because the call of God is to be an entrepreneur, chase after that and sow investments into other businesses, helping them as well.

If you understand and keep information in your mind easily and love helping to heal, perhaps the medical field needs your skills.

Perhaps you have a knack for seeing how I started three sentences with “if” in a row and are great at editing.

But I’m leaving it as it is.

Since, more times than not, an author’s gift is to know when breaking conventions is the right thing.

Minister to others with what you’re good at.

Because God gave you everything you need to do what He has called you to do.

It doesn’t take any special training (though honing your skills is great) or secret handshakes.

Ask of Him, “What is my gift?”

He will surely answer that prayer.

Be open.

Listen.

And above all, use the gift when you find it.