Finding Meaningful Places to Serve
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10.
Serving is simply a matter of offering your time and yourself in a place or places where you are needed. It can be inside or outside the church walls (we are “the church” when we are gathered AND when we are scattered!). Here are some examples of folks who are heeding Jesus’ call to be salt and light in our world:
In the church, I serve in the front office, every other week; as a group leader for our women’s Bible study; on a committee; and as part of a verse-study project. Outside the walls, I serve as a Kids Hope mentor, prayer partner, and prayer coordinator; I am chapter president of a women's philanthropic education organization; and am a docent/teacher, lead keeper assistant, communications chairman, and animal handling mentor/trainer at the Denver Zoo. I do a variety of things from planning-creating-organizing-leading, to teaching, to supporting, to just mundane tasks like answering phones, cleaning cages, and sorting Sunday School curriculum. I find joy in using my gifts and talents in meaningful ways; reaching out to and meeting people; feeling like I've accomplished something, and it doesn't have to be a big deal... chopping up diets for sea lions helps the keepers a lot, takes no brains, but they see me as a willing soul, a positive influence on them; sorting SS curriculum gives Janet more time to do more important stuff; it all needs doing, and getting it done just feels good. –FF
I was involved in a lay counseling ministry and, eventually, I found myself doing it more at work, with staff or other coworkers. Coming alongside them or just being a willing ear was very rewarding. --RE
I am listening, supporting and if the person is okay with it, praying with them. If they are not okay with the praying, I will pray for them when I am by myself. It brings me joy in simply being there for that person…seeing them have a load lifted off of them, just by talking and knowing someone cares. I have been through some tough times in my life and often wished I had more support or had been willing to ask for help. I am grateful for the things that God moved me through as I am now able to counsel or support others, often with the same issues that I had been through. –LB
In church, I am the chaplain for a senior group and also on the coffee crew. Outside, I am a Rotarian working on grants programs for our district--as well as many youth activities sponsored by Rotary. I organize all sorts of events and am responsible for coordination of district million dollar grants program. I enjoy working with the youth activities--putting together grant applications--serving humanity. –BE
Where is there a need that you care about? Think of ways you can get involved to help meet that need. Find ways to serve with your small group, your friends, your co-workers, your family. Take the GodGiftsYou spiritual gifts assessment to help identify your spiritual gifts. Explore the GodGiftsYou interests list to see where your gifts and interests intersect.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years. She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S. Contact Shirley.
© Shirley Giles Davis, 2018
God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design: a six-week workbook study with videos