Called to Serve- but not exactly gifted. (PART 2)

This is a continuation of the things I have learned in being called to serve, but not exactly gifted.

You can read the previous post here--> http://hannahstaggs.blogspot.com/2016/04/called-to-serve-but-not-exactly-gifted.html

5. Study. Observe. Connect.

It is our responsibility & privilege really to study, observe, & connect. Study God's word. Seek God in prayer. Read books. Read blogs. Be committed to passionately pursue God's heart. Be committed to passionately pursue knowledge, wisdom, etc in whatever field He has called you to. With the advances in technology in this day & age, there is no excuse. Personally, Pinterest has been such a helpful tool for me to gain ideas & wisdom. If we can spend hours on social media or infront of the TV, we can spend hours seeking meaningful insight. Research. Educate yourself. Believe it or not, God has called others to the same or similar field that He has called you to. Many of who will also say in the beginning they too were not "gifted". There is so much we can learn from those who have been there & done that. Observe the ministries that God has entrusted to others. Connect with them. There are other believers who share similar passions & calls. You are not alone. 

6. Not everyone is going to encourage you.

In fact some WILL discourage you, especially if your gifts are not on display. People (including yourself) may question, doubt, this or that. Church members, family, friends, etc- not all of them are truly going to be beside you. But take heart. While the enemy is using some to discourage you, God is using others to encourage you. Personally, I have been so blessed to have a few believers who have spoken life over me in this season, pray over me, continue to stand beside me, & build me up in ministry. What a difference it can make. Stay alert. Walk in discernment. Do not take the bait. The enemy WILL use anything he can as a means to create fear, hurt, & doubt in your heart. Do not ponder on words spoken or deeds done void of God's leading & spirit. Take every word & deed to the feet of Christ. Keep what needs to be kept & burn what needs to be burned. Let it go. Hold those encouragers close & demand Satan to get behind you. Stay humble before God & never forget to filter everything through His word, His spirit, & His truth. The enemy is relentless. That jerk. If he is not going to use people he will use fear, lies, distractions, your own flesh, weariness, sickness, ANYTHING he can to keep you from intimacy with God & serving as He has called you to. 

7. This is more than a hobby. 

I don't say this to make things heavy, but I must be honest. A call from God is not just a hobby. Whether you are gifted or not. Whether you feel passionate about it right now or not- You need to take it seriously at all times. Beloved, this is much more than a hobby or just something to do. You are His vessel. You are His witness. You are His partner. He has invited you to be apart of the greatest work on earth. Act like it. Treat it as such. God wants your heart. Your affections. Your hands. Your feet. No matter what gift you lack, He wants to use you for mighty things. Go above & beyond through His power & strength. Don't flake off when the excitement wares off or the journey gets rough. This is a matter of eternal impact. If you're not going to give God's call your all, don't give it anything at all. 

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as tot he Lord, & not to men." Colossians 3:23

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Ecclesiastes 9:10 

8. Remember Mary & Martha. 

Giving God your all doesn't always mean running around the house like Martha did. Yes, there is a time to use our hands, our mouths, or whatever else. But our hearts must always be at the feet of Christ- adoring him. It does not seem that Mary was rebuked for simply working but rather because she was "troubled about many things". Serving can come from a peaceful heart & attitude or it can come from a stressed heart & attitude. We cannot serve with a peaceful heart & attitude without sitting before the Prince of Peace. We must never forget WHO & WHAT this is really about. If all of the little details do not come together- it is okay. If we are not serving from an overflow of intimacy & prayer in our personal lives- then we shouldn't be serving at all. If you are not connected to God how are you going to minister to others? If you are not building a ministry on prayer then what's the point? Burn outs do not have to happen. Even the most gifted WILL burn out if they are not abiding in the Holy Spirit & the spirit abiding in them. Rest when you need to rest. 

• Luke 10:38-42

We need God & His spirit more than we need gifts, talents, or abilities. He will develop within you what needs to be developed. You are not supposed to be able to accomplish this through your own gifts & abilities. Stay focused on Him & you will thrive in whatever His plans are for you. 
On this subject, you may also enjoy--> http://hannahstaggs.blogspot.com/2016/02/laborers-together-with-god.html 

Called to Serve- but not exactly gifted. (PART 1)

Oh yes. I have experienced the "Oh my". The "you've got to be joking". The "are you sure God?". And the "Oh God help me" that comes with being called to serve in ways & places that are most definitely not your expertise or gift. Within the last 4 years God has clearly called me to both foreign missions ministry & hospitality. Hospitable is not a word people would use to describe me- in all honesty. And missions ministry? Let's not even go there. AHA! 

As someone with a stronger personality (INTJ) & one who is not gifted in these areas, I have found this journey quite a challenge as well as a complete thrill. The Father is so faithful. Maybe you are also experiencing that "are you sure God?" season. Here are a few things I have learned thus far. 

1. When we "lack", we rely on God. 

The Israelites knew this all too well. In the wilderness they were more eager to seek God. In captivity they were more aware of their need to lean on God. In comfort & prosperity-- not so much. When we don't have what it takes, we go to the One who does. I have mentioned this before in a previous post, but I believe it is so important to understand- God will never call you to do anything or go anywhere that leaves you anything less than desperate for Him. If you find yourself desperate for Him & His strength, abilities, wisdom, etc you are in the safest place to be. The core of God's heart is to be close to His creation. Whatever stands in the way, whatever is a distraction, whatever shifts our dependence, focus, loyalty, hearts, etc needs to be taken out of the way. If your gifts are not adding up, rejoice all the more. When you lack, thank the Lord! Look to Him!

• Deuteronomy 8 & 9.
• "Go & cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown." Jeremiah 2:2

2. It's not all about our gifts. 

Yes. Gifts ARE important. They must be used (& they will be), but they are not everything. Our gifts can even get in the way if we are not careful. We can center our identity, security, reputation, etc on that gift & suddenly our egos get in the way & may even blind us from areas that need growth. It's not about comparing our gifts to another's lack. It's not about showcasing our gifts. It's not about finding confidence in our gifts. It's about finding confidence in the giver of those gifts & using them for His glory alone.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12

2. God teaches his servants.

This is specifically for us younger ones. Recently called? Newly involved in the ministry? Take heart. The disciples didn't just "get it" as soon as they were invited to come & follow Christ. Christ taught them. Disciples are students before teachers. The disciples were constantly going to Christ for instruction. They were eager to learn. Eager to discover. Eager to serve. This takes time. Thinking & walking like Christ does NOT happen overnight. Sanctification is a process. Let yourself learn. Let yourself grow. And be eager to serve in the midst of it, even in your lack. It is very possible that God will develop that lack into a gift. Ask anyone who has been serving for 20 plus years & you will find they too are still learning. They too lack. They too rely on God. Christ continually directed the disciples ears, eyes, & affections towards the Father. The spirit of God is the source for all fruitful service.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

3. The heart is everything. 

This could stand on its own as a separate post. Perspective, attitude, & motives matter. If we have all of the gifts, but we don't use them from a heart of love & service- What's the point? In the eyes of the world we may be climbing the latter of success, but in God's eyes we are falling to destruction. Do I like people in my space often? No. Am I a social butterfly? No. Do I want to leave the comforts of America? No. The list could go on. But something extraordinary happens when the heart of man is aligned with the heart of God. Our perspectives shift. Our priorities change. Our desires become His. & oh my goodness what intimacy & unity you will experience in his presence when this takes place! When you become a true disciple- you need to take a back seat. It's not about "me time" or the comforts of my country. It's about HIS kingdom. HIS fame. HIS glory. HIS plan. HIS desires. HIS heart. You will take joy in what you once loathed. You will pursue what you once ran from. You will see what you were once blind to. You will seek that which you once feared. You will take delight in what once drained you. It is not important that people see our hearts. It is important that people see HIS. Humility & willingness are so key in this thing. When we realize that we are nothing without him- then, we become mighty vessels used for his glory. I have strengths for sure, but more so I need God to shine through my weaknesses. That is when people see Him & He is all that needs to be seen. That is when His word truly comes alive. When we humbly sit before the feet of Christ with willing hearts- every gift we lack will no more factor in & no passion or ambition we clung to prior can compare to the zeal that will be poured upon us as He shares the desires of His heart with us. 

"Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2 

"The heart is deceitful above all things, & desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, & according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:9-10