How can we use our gifts and talents in the service of God? It's one of those questions that many of us find ourselves asking. Being a pastor is one of the first things that pops into people's heads in response to that question. And while we need more pastors, the reality is that not everyone is called to be a pastor. So how is it that we can use the gifts that we do have in the service to God?
Now if you are sitting there thinking that you don't have any gifts, you're wrong. The psalms tells us that we are knitted together in the womb by God and God tells the prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." Each one of us is a masterpiece dreamed up by God and skillfully formed by God as unique and valuable individuals. To say that we don't have any gifts is not being humble or putting ourselves down, it's putting God down. It's basically saying, "God you screwed up when you made me. You forgot to give me something of value that I can offer." That simply isn't true. Each one of us has been gifted by God.
So how can you offer those gifts in service to God? The answer to that question is going to be different for everyone but I can give you a few awesome examples. Some lawyers choose to volunteer their time to work advocate for people who are systematically oppressed or overlooked. Some doctors choose to start ministries like Mission of Mercy to provide health care for those who can not afford the high cost of medical care. Countless volunteers routinely offer their time to help check people in, take appointments, and make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Recently a group of Christian musicians who are already using their gifts to help people worship God, decided they could go a step further and use their gifts to help address the issue of poverty. They formed a group called compassion art. Together they wrote a bunch of songs and got all the producers, record companies, and musicians to agree to give up all the proceeds from the sale of the CD. SO all the money you spend on the CD goes directly to supporting 16 different initiatives they have started to combat poverty. What an awesome and creative way to use their gifts in the service of God! If you want to find out more about compassion art or order the CD, their website is http://www.compassionart.tv/
How can you use your gifts in service to God? We all have gifts, how are you using yours?
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I recommend this CD as well. The CD comes with a DVD as well with a documentary about the process the group of Christian musicians went through to make the CD - sort of a "Behind the Music"-esk take on it. Beyond the documentary (about 40 minutes long) there is a trailer version of it (about 3 minutes long) and a few music videos (of the songs on the CD) that could potentially be used in worship. My favorite songs on the CD are, "Come to the Water" and "Fill my Cup." CHECK IT OUT! http://www.musichristian.com/sys/product.php?PRODUCT=563279
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