We are SHAPED for Service
God has shaped or uniquely designed each of us to do certain things. God’s will concerning our function determines our frame or form. Our personal custom combination of capabilities called our “SHAPE.
All Christians are gifted by God with Spiritual Gifts. They are given for the sake of the common good of Christ’s body, so all may serve in ministry, and help the church grow and prosper in Christ.
The Heart represents the core of your desires, hopes, interests, dreams, ambitions, and affections. The heart is the seat and source of all your intentions and motivations, what you love to do and care most about. Your heart is the real you, what you really are, not what others think you are or what circumstances pressure you to be. The heart determines why you say and do what you do, and feel the way you do about it. Just as each of us has a unique heartbeat, so God has given each of us a unique “Emotional Heartbeat” which signifies our passion in living. What you are passionate about reveals your emotional heartbeat; find your passion and you will find your heart. And God looks upon the heart. And God wants you to serve Him out of heartfelt passion, not duty. There are two basic characteristics which determine when you are serving God from your heart. First is Enthusiasm. You will be working out of love and enjoyment. Second is Effectiveness. When you do what God has shaped you to love doing, you will get good at it. Passion, like caring, propels perfection.
You are born with certain natural Abilities or talents. Since they came from God, your natural abilities are as important for your service as your spiritual gifts. The difference is they were given to you at 1st, physical birth and belong to you – whereas the spiritual gifts are always gifts from Christ at your second birth, when you are born again, for working with Christ. Beware of thinking that you do not have abilities for God’s service. Research suggests that the average person has from 500 to 700 different skills and abilities. God gave you abilities not just to make a living but to do ministry. And whatever you are good at, you need to be doing for your church!
Each of us has a different Personality. There has never been nor will there ever be again, someone exactly like you. DNA molecules alone are infinite in variety. The likelihood that another would ever have the same DNA as you is so improbable, that if you were to write out the numerical probability with each zero being an inch wide, you would need a strip of paper 37,000 miles long! God sure loves variety! There is no right or wrong personality for ministry. Your personality will impact how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities., Like stained glass,our different personalities
reflect God’s light in many colors and patterns. This blesses the family of God with depth and variety. It feels good to do what God made you to do. When you minister in a manner consistent with the personality God gave you, there will be fulfillment and fruitfulness.
Click Here to download and take the SHAPE Assessment Test!
Click Here to download and fill out the SHAPE Survey! Once you are completed, please email the two completed forms to hollis.stella@n2newdirection.org!