God Has a Use for Everyone
God has sent each of us to earth for a specific purpose and He has a plan to implement that purpose. I have noticed that few people seek out the plan God has for our lives, but rather seek to fit God into their own plan, hopes, and dreams. The missing link here is that while most people seek happiness within their personal plans, they fail to realize that true happiness is experienced and lived when we fulfill God’s plan for our lives.
In the process of using each life as created long before we were born, God made a plan and purpose for each of us. A wonderful plan that will be used to further the Kingdom of God on earth. However, that is only half of His vision. His full vision includes our happiness, joy, and fulfillment. When we take our lives into our own hands not only do we disappoint God, but we also separate ourselves from the many blessings He has for us. We don’t get to experience the complete happiness He has planned for us. Not only do we cheat God, but we cheat ourselves as well. One of my favorite scripture verses is Jeremiah 29:11-13, which explicitly explains that God has a plan for each of us and that plan includes our joy, prosperity, and happiness!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
John 10:10 is also very telling: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
We are able to capitalize on the plans of God when we seek our purpose and USE our gifts to serve Him and humanity. Sadly, a lot of people seek God only to get something they want, either ignorant of The Word or ignoring HOW He tells us we gain the prosperity, peace, and joy He has planned for us. Nowhere does it say, “I God, am your slave and exist to grant you every prayer and wish.” It’s almost as if many people see God as a genie in a bottle to call upon whenever they need something, but not as a Creator who is to be trusted, obeyed, and served. This is an error and why so many people never experience all the positive promises in the Bible.
So exactly HOW does God use us? He gives each of us gifts and we are expected to use these gifts to serve Him and humanity. Step one is to know the gifts of the Spirit as outlined in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 not only specifies the gifts given to us but by whom the gifts are given and for whom they are meant to serve. They are given by The Spirit and used to serve The Lord! By knowing the gifts, you can figure out which of these gifts you were given to use on His behalf.
The Kinds of Gifts (It is important to read and KNOW the following verses!)
“There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord. There are different ways of doing His work. But it is the same God who uses all these ways in all people. The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all.”
“One person is given the gift of teaching words of wisdom. Another person is given the gift of teaching what he has learned and knows. One person receives the gift of faith. Another person receives the gift of healing. One person is given the gift of doing powerful works. Another person is given the gift of speaking God’s Word. Another person is given the gift of telling the difference between the Holy Spirit and false spirits (discernment). Another person is given the gift of speaking in special sounds (tongues). Another person is given the gift of telling what these special sounds mean. But it is the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, Who does all these things. He gives to each person as He wants to give.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
We are to use the gifts given to us, but different people will use the same gift differently. For example, let’s take the gift of doing powerful (meaningful) works. Maybe one person serves the church by seating members, another cooks food, and another cleans up. Another person may be a compassionate listener and have the wisdom to help people (counseling). So on and so forth. Each act of giving is important and comes from the same giver [The Holy Spirit] to serve God and humanity, but as the scripture above states, the execution of the same gift will be exhibited differently by different people.
A gift can even be used differently by the same person to serve different people within a community. For example, I have the gift of teaching. When I am speaking to adults in sermons I speak much differently than when I am teaching children. You must use discernment, given by the Holy Spirit when using your gifts so that they are a blessing to those you are serving.
Romans 12:5-8:
“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Most of us have more than one gift, which we can use individually or together. My own gifts thus far are teaching, speaking, counseling, giving, encouraging, leading, and showing mercy and grace. When I counsel people, I use many of those gifts all at one time. However, my favorite gift is teaching, so I do that more often, naturally encouraging and sympathizing with people while I teach. God knows what ignites and motivates us, so He allows us to use our gifts as we desire. The way that fulfills us the most, is while helping others.
The most important lesson to be gleaned from this sermon is to IDENTIFY and USE your gifts to mold the body of Christ into one, acting together in a symbiotic manner that improves the performance of each part [member]. Helping the other parts of His body to fully serve and bring everyone together in harmony and love. As one body we are sent out into the world to evangelize The Word and help those who are hurting or less fortunate. We cannot do this unless we mesh our gifts together and work as a team.
In summary, we are each given gifts and are to use those gifts to build up the body of Christ and to serve humanity in a meaningful way. Using our gifts to help others brings us joy and happiness beyond comprehension. When we try to use our gifts for self-serving gain, we might achieve wealth, prestige, and/or respect of the secular world, but we will miss out on the true happiness we all seek. You must SEEK, FIND, and USE your gifts.
Gifts are for giving!! Amen.
Love, hugs, and blessings, Lisa ><>
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