What I Have Learned From S.H.A.P.E. Part 2

One of the lessons I have learned from this class that has really stuck with me is that we are all wired uniquely and differently by God.   Knowing this is like breathing in deep a breath of fresh air!  Gone is the pressure of having to "be like someone else". 

It took me a really LONG time for me to realize that I simply cannot change how God has wired me!  For example, I am a major introvert!  As an introvert, I tend to be quiet and shy.  I enjoy reading books and watching movies more than going out to social functions (with the exception being church functions). Also, when I am at work, I tend to keep to myself and concentrate solely on working instead of socializing. At previous jobs, I would always think to myself: "At the next job, I will be more outgoing and make lots of friends".  However, when I arrived at the new job, I would stay the same and not change. I have finally come to realize that trying to force myself to be something that I am not is a practice in "futility" (and a complete waste of my time).  I can only be what God created me to be--- strengths, weaknesses and all.

In all honesty, I should delight in every aspect God has created me to be including my weaknesses!  If I give everything over to God, God can even use  my weaknesses for His glory and for the purpose of ministering to other people! 

So take the opportunity to delight in who God has created you to be!  Take a look at your weaknesses and ask God how He can use those weaknesses for His glory and His ministry!

What I Have Learned From S.H.A.P.E. Part 1

I am currently taking a class at my church called "S.H.A.P.E.".  The purpose of this class is to help each one of us find our fit in ministry. My wife and I have so far taken a spiritual gifts assessment,  two personality tests and a strength finders assessment.  I have really enjoyed the class! 

One of the best lessons I have learned from the class is that God has wired each of us differently.  God can use each of our unique personalities to help minister in the church.  What an awesome thing to consider!  There is room for us all!  We are all part of the same body but serve in different ways!  We complement each other! 

It's so easy to think  that we can't be used by God to minister!  Especially when we consider all the weaknesses we possess! A lot of times we feel that way because we have failed to see ourselves the way God see us---as His unique one-of-a-kind child with unique talents and a grand purpose to fulfill! 

All of us believers-in-Christ have been given atleast one spiritual gift by God! You may think: "How am I gifted?"  Some great ways to find out is by taking a class like "S.H.A.P.E." that lets you explore who you are especially who you are in Christ through different assessments and lessons. If you aren't able to take a class like that, you can take different personality and spiritual gift assessments by going to a website like Christian Net. Another way is to ask people who know and love you how they believe God has gifted you.  The most important thing you can do to find out how you are gifted is to: PRAY!  Pray to God and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you how He has gifted you!  And He will! 

Don't be afraid to display your unique S.H.A.P.E. that God has given you!  You just never know how He may use your life to bless and minister to others!!!! :)