Isn’t it funny how you always want what you don’t have? It’s 28 degrees and snowing and you’re dreaming of a summer day when it’s 78 degrees with a slight breeze. You have stick-straight hair and as you’re using the curling iron for the millionth time, you wish you had curly (or at the very least wavy) hair.
As a child, I was very shy and would not speak unless I absolutely had to. As an adult, while not quite as shy as I once was, I would always find myself wishing I could be more outgoing. And the same is true of my spiritual gifts. I have taken the S.H.A.P.E. Assessment (the Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience assessment developed by Pastor Rick Warren) numerous times hoping that I had acquired different gifts like evangelism or teaching, but no. I am gifted with 100 percent servanthood. Every. Time.
Being blessed with the gift of servanthood means that I find joy in loving and serving others. In other words, I find happiness in doing things to benefit others or sacrificing to give others joy. This is actually evident in all aspects of my life from home to church to the part-time work I do.
As I’ve grown older (and hopefully wiser), I have learned to embrace what God has given me. I am inherently a servant as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Not only that, according to Ephesians 4:12, Jesus purposefully equipped his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
There are also several examples of servanthood in the Bible. The story of Ruth illustrates great service to her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth goes with Naomi to Israel even though it would be easier to stay in Moab, her homeland. Ruth worships God Almighty because it is the god of Naomi. Ruth marries Boaz because it will save Naomi’s family legacy.
The story of Esther is an example of great servanthood for her people, the Jews living in Persia. Esther puts her life on the line by asking for an audience with King Xerxes (it is a mortal offense to do so and only the king can pardon her). She makes this request in order to save her people from the threat of persecution.
I have come to see that servanthood is not only a gift to be cherished, it is my spiritual superpower! I use it sometimes intentionally and sometimes without even realizing it, but God blessed me with this gift to use for His glory.
Have you been wishing to be more of this or less of that? Do you wish you could be more merciful or more prophetic? Maybe what you already have is what God divinely gave you to bring glory to His kingdom. So, what’s your superpower?
In His service,
Lori
(If you have never taken the S.H.A.P.E. Assessment and are interested in finding out what spiritual gifts you have, click here.)
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