Q: I’ve been struggling to find God’s guidance and also his direction in my life as far as ministry is concerned. –Kenneth
A: I’m excited that you want to serve Jesus. You’ve asked about how you can know where He wants you to serve.
As a believer in Jesus, you’re a vital part of the body of Christ. You’re given specific spiritual giftedness and abilities (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-18, 28-30) which you are to use to build up fellow believers and to strengthen the church (1 Corinthians 12:7, 14:12,26; 1 Peter 4:10-11). “What are your gifts and abilities?” is a good place to start in helping you discern the ministry God wants you to be involved in. When He calls you to a specific area of service, He will also equip you to do that task.
It’s vital that you discuss your desire to serve and possible areas of ministry with your pastor or elders and leaders. Their collective affirmation of your call and your giftedness and their spiritual wisdom will clarify priorities of the church and how you can contribute meaningfully to its overall growth.
And, undoubtedly, there’s a need to pray and ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) and always be obedient to the Spirit’s leading (Galatians 5:16-18,25).
To read more about God’s will for your life click here to read a helpful online booklet. —K.T. Sim
Feel free to submit a “you choose Q” to ODJ by using the contact us form on the home page!
mike wittmer on September 18, 2012 at 9:25 am
This is great advice. Another key is to look around your church for a need and then try to meet it. Plug in and start serving, and you’ll soon discover where and how you can best serve the body of Christ.
bluefigtoast on October 9, 2012 at 12:59 am
I think of we wait for that one big opportunity to do a “great thing for God”, we will miss myriads of opportunities to small things for God. Picking up an elderly friends prescriptions, taking them a doctor’s appointment, giving to the homeless, and so on.
A lot of people ask: “Well if I give a homeless person money, and they spend it on drugs or alcohol, then I gave in vain.” No. I believe we are indeed our brother’s keeper. I am giving out of a genuine need. What they do with the help they received, they do not answer to me. They answer to God. So I carry spare change, always. No, it is not s big thing. It’s little and I expect no reward. But charity must be taught, it is not something we innately know to do.
http://www.waynoguerrini.com/forgotten-ones-compassion-elderly/
Wayno