God’s Gift to You
Who you are is God’s gift to you.
What you make of yourself is your gift to God.
My dad shared this simple statement with me when I was in Junior High, and I’ve never forgotten it. And I can still hear my mom’s voice explaining Jesus’ words in Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much had been committed, of him they will ask all the more.”
At Christmas we celebrate the gift of a Savior—Christ the Lord. And we thank God for our salvation which we have freely received.
We also thank God for the gifts and abilities that He has given us to use in serving Him by meeting the needs of others. We are responsible to bless others as we have been blessed!
“In the end, however, what we are always comes out; it is for what we are that we are responsible.” I read that statement by Donald Nicholl a few weeks ago and I am still reflecting on this truth. It reminds me that I am responsible for this one life that God has entrusted to me.
As I shared at our Leaders Gathering at Ventura Missionary Church in October:
“WHO YOU ARE IS HOW YOU LEAD.”
What we do as individuals flows out of who we are. Our being precedes our doing. This requires us to be keenly self-aware. This is critical for us as servant-leaders.
“Who God has made you to BE determines what He wants you to DO.”
When James’ and John’s mom asked Jesus to give her sons prime seats in the kingdom, Jesus turned the conversation upside down. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Jesus’ understanding of leadership flows out of His own identity and purpose. He explains, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”
While Jesus possessed all authority, His identity was that of a servant. He knew who He was and why He was here – to serve! We share this same identity and purpose. We are servants of God whom He has gifted and called to serve Him by meeting the needs of others. I am a servant of God. Paul reminds us, “It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” I serve at the pleasure of my Lord and Master. It is the Lord Christ whom I serve.
As I live out my calling, I’ve found it helpful to answer these three questions…
- Who Do I Most Want To Help/Serve?
- What Problem Do I Most Want To Solve?
- What Solution Do I Most Want To Provide?
I posted the questions on my wall for a month and seriously considered my answers. How I answered these questions has helped me to focus my life and ministry.
Here’s my simple statement that I reflect on daily – I give leaders hope, clarity, and direction to influence and impact the kingdom of God for generations.
That’s how I serve God – by giving to others. I’m responsible to use the gifts and abilities that God has entrusted to me, and so are you.
“In the end…it is for what we are that we are responsible.”
Thanking God for you and for the ways He has gifted you to serve!
Dave DeVries
Vinia Executive Director
Contact Me
This blog post is from the December 20, 2022 Vinia Newsletter.
If you would like to sign up to receive the Vinia Newsletter, you can do so here.