1 Peter 4

It's discouraging sometimes when you look around your church and everyone seems to have found what they have to offer. Pastors are preaching, band members are performing, volunteers are... volunteering. You get the idea. You might even begin to think that you don't have anything to offer. Well not so fast! 1 Peter 4:10-11 offers encouragement.

"As each has received a gift"—well there you go right there! Every member of the body of Christ has received a gift, an ability of some kind given directly by God. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" (vs 10). So the gifts we are given are not for our benefit; they are to be used to serve others. Peter goes on to say that whether we speak, or serve, or whatever we do, it should be done to God—"in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (vs 11).

Not only are the gifts given for the purpose of serving others, but for the deeper purpose of glorifying God. This verse says that if you are a child of God, you have been given a gift. And you are to use that gift to serve others, and ultimately glorify God.

So how do know what your gift is? Glad you asked. The best advice I've heard on finding your gift is actually pretty simple—think of what you are really passionate about, and then see if there is an opportunity to use that passion to serve at your local church. It could be kids, music, video production, preparing food, even traffic control. And if you can't think of anything, just start serving anyway. Pick something at random and jump in. You'll probably find out right away if it's not your gift(!). And if it is something you enjoy, and you're effective at it, then mission accomplished.

The point is, God gave you a gift and he wants you to use it—to serve others, and glorify him.