What if the way God created you – your gifts, passions, and experiences – was meant to make a lasting impact? And not just in the lives of others, but in your own life as well?
Every part of who you are, from your personality to your abilities, has been intentionally designed for a purpose much greater than you might realize. When we live out this purpose, we don't just change the world around us – we experience transformation personally.
God created you to play a unique and meaningful role in his story. We are his hands and feet in this world. God uses us to share love with others in ways that we might never fully understand. But how do we step into that role? How do we know where to begin and how to make an impact? That’s where serving comes in.
How did God uniquely create you to serve?
Serving is the key to unlocking your God-given potential and living out the purpose he designed for you. But how do you know where to serve? How do you discover the unique way God has wired you to make a difference?
It all comes down to five letters: SHAPE
S: Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are special abilities God has given you to build up the church and serve others. You might have the gift of encouragement, or maybe teaching, hospitality, leadership, or compassion.
If you’re not sure what your spiritual gifts are, think about what comes naturally to you when helping others. You can also take a spiritual gifts assessment or ask others who know you well what gifts they see in you.
H: Heart
What are you passionate about? What lights you up and makes you come alive? Your passions and desires can be a strong indicator of where God is calling you to serve.
If you're passionate about helping the younger generation build a lasting relationship with Jesus, kidMinistry or Student Ministry might be a great fit. If you have a heart for making people feel welcome, serving on the Guest Experience team could be your sweet spot. God often aligns our passions with the way he wants to use us!
A: Abilities
Your abilities are the natural talents and learned skills you possess. Maybe you’re great at organizing, playing an instrument, fixing things, or working with technology. God can use these abilities in huge ways. Don’t underestimate the value of what you’re naturally good at. He gave you those gifts for a reason!
P: Personality
Your personality shapes how you interact with others and approach different situations. Are you introverted or extroverted? Are you a go-with-the flow type or do you prefer to have a plan? Are you detail-oriented or more of a big-picture thinker? Understanding your personality can help you find a serving role that fits how God uniquely designed you.
E: Experiences
There’s something especially comforting about someone telling us they’ve “been there.” Someone who uniquely understands your struggle or your season of life because they’ve experienced it themselves. This goes to show that God uses our experiences to impact others.
Your life experiences – the good and the bad – have shaped you in ways that can be used for God’s purposes. Maybe you’ve walked through a difficult season and can encourage others going through the same thing. Maybe you’ve had a mentor who made a huge impact on your life, and now you want to do the same for someone else. Nothing is wasted in God’s hands!
Lean into your SHAPE!
It’s easy to come up with excuses for why we’re not ready to serve. I’m too busy. I don’t know enough. Someone else could do it better. But serving isn’t about having it all figured out – it’s about being willing. There is some sacrifice involved, but the rewards are incredible. When you serve, you grow in your faith, build relationships, and experience the joy of making an eternal impact.
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If you’re ready to lean into your SHAPE and step into serving, start by praying and asking God to show you where he wants to use you. Then, take a step. Let us know you’re interested in exploring opportunities to serve at LCBC!
You were created to make a difference. Will you take the step?
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!