2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

When it comes to fulfilling the ministry plan that God has for our lives, there seems to be two schools of thought surrounding how to determine that. There are many examples in the Bible that point to people that were called by God. Some were clearly not, on their own, capable of doing what God had planned for them. There are others in the Bible that had unique skills and capabilities and God used them for His glory. I’m sure you can come up with examples of both of these situations.

So how do we determine that for our lives? Do we evaluate our spiritual gifts and then use the gifts we have been given in ministry? Or should we be willing to step out and do things that we have clearly no skill or capability? Which way is the plan that God has for us?

I’ve pondered this for some time. The Bible, though, has the answer. It isn’t about skills or lack of skills. It isn’t about how God wired us in the womb or gifts He didn’t give us. The consistent theme in all the people in the Bible is the calling that God has for their lives. It isn’t about us, but about Him. The critical thing we must do is to be totally dependent on Him, and no matter what He asks us to do, we follow.

The reason this is important is to make sure that we don’t get pulled into a ministry because it is easy for us, or because someone else tells us that because we have certain gifts we need to work in a certain ministry. Or we shouldn’t be influenced by others to not work in a ministry because we haven’t been gifted in a particular area.

Many churches use spiritual gifts analysis to “assist” people in determining how they can get plugged into the ministry programs. While this is useful information, it shouldn’t be what determines where we serve. God has the plan for us. It is our responsibility to listen to God through scripture and to pray about what He wants us to do. Only then can we fulfill His plan for our lives. And we shouldn’t be swayed by anyone other than The Creator to establish where we serve. Prayer is the answer. Only then can you find your true calling.

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me into ministry of your kingdom for your glory. Keep me totally dependent on You as I step out in faith to follow Jesus. Help me to focus on You and Your will alone. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,