With a desire to be useful

Children are takers by instinct before they learn to be givers. Being interested in other people’s lives and points of view is learned behavior, and it is one of many parent jobs to disciple their children to care about the well-being of others.

Christian newbies naturally spend their initial energy as believers in processing their relationship with God. They need to absorb the incredible stories of what God has done for them and take them to heart. But as people grow in their faith, they will start to look outward and look for ways in which they can give back. How the Father’s heart must be thrilled to hear the prayers of his believers as they express a desire to be useful to him.

He wants them to know that they each have been given a unique set of skills and gifts for a particular purpose: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). No believer can say, “I got nothing.” It is a source of continuing amazement to me to watch God’s gifted children learn to be servants. Congregations benefit enormously from volunteers who care for the building and grounds, keep the books, seek ways to connect with people in their communities, befriend the lonely and troubled, tend to the aging and those with disabilities, disciple children, and make thrilling worship music.

How are your God-given gifts going to give him glory today? 

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