I want to spend a few days reflecting on how I believe God has shaped me for The World Race. S.H.A.P.E. is the framework in which Rick Warren of Purpose Driven fame has helped his congregation understand not only their Spiritual Giftedness, but their Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences. All those elements combined determine our S.H.A.P.E.
So tonight I will begin with the Spiritual Gifts that I think God has given me. I am coming to The World Race from a “church staff” background. It has been my experience serving in churches that far too little about our Spiritual Giftedness is taught. And I readily admit that my particular faith tradition either over or under emphasizes some of the gifts. I’ll rant and rave about that some other time.
I believe that every Christian has at least one Spiritual Gift. I’ll define a Spiritual Gift as a divine and special ability given to a believer by the Holy Spirit primarily for building up the church. There are at least three places in the Bible where the Gifts are listed and/or described (Ephesians 4:11- which may be as much about “offices” as “gifts”, Romans 12:6-8, and 1 Corinthians 12:1-12,28).
I like what Rick Warren teaches about figuring out what gift you have. Those online Spiritual Gift Inventories have merit but ultimately the best way to know is to ask the Lord and then try them on! Warren says the best proof for knowing if you have one Spiritual Gift or another is if you are fruitful and fulfilled when exercising in that giftedness. Does that make sense?
Here’s my example: I feel like I primarily have the Gift of Mercy. Trusted Christian friends have told me over the years that they see that in me. Those online inventories or other tests I’ve taken confirm that. But the best proof has been that I enjoy empathizing with hurting people… especially teenagers. I am fulfilled when I’m just quietly listening to a student pour his or her heart out to me. It’s not just good listening skills- that’s different. It’s something deeper. And I’m good at it too! I don’t mean that in an arrogant way; it’s just that over the years I have found that I am drawn to hurting people and they are drawn to me. I think I’m also gifted as a Shepherd or Pastor. That doesn’t mean I’m called to be a Pastor. That’s different. The gift of shepherding is the God-given ability to care for others, especially their spiritual well being. I am drawn to shepherd-less groups of teenagers and children. I discovered many years ago more than just a natural ability to relate to them. There’s fruit and there’s fulfillment. I may also have some giftedness in preaching/teaching.
So there you have it. I think my primary spiritual gifts are Mercy and Shepherding, maybe preaching/teaching.
How has that shaped me for The World Race? You’ll have to wait 4 more days to find out because so far you only know about my “S”.
