Photos by: Janko Ferlic, Alyson McPhee, Jamie Coupaud, Unsplash
What’s Your Ministry?
This past weekend I was texting with my niece who is a makeup artist. She’s a woman of faith and passion. As we chatted I mentioned to her that her makeup artistry is her ministry. She agreed. She turns ordinary women into extraordinary beauties on their special occasions. You can find her here if you’re ever in need of a special transformation!
My dearest forever friend, I call her HM, is a home cook. When she hears that someone is suffering a loss or a hurt, she hurries and cooks up something and delivers it.
I have another friend who masters in visitation – she will visit a suffering friend and just sit for hours.
All of these women are ministers of the gospel. Each in their own special way.
Giftings
We all have at least one. The important thing to remember is using those gift/s.
- Administration (including organization skills)
- Being an apostle
- Discernment
- Evangelism
- Exhortation
- Faith
- Giving
- Healing
- Helps
- Hospitality
- Knowledge
- Leadership
- Mercy
- Prophecy
- Serving
- Speaking in tongues
- Teaching (sometimes known as shepherding)
- Wisdom
The above is a pretty thorough list of giftings – recognize any in yourself?
Gifts vs Ministry
Is there a difference? I think so.
I’m a writer – that is my main ministry but my spiritual gifting is exhortation/encouragement. I exercise both.
Do a little inner reflection and identify your gift/s and your ministry, it is extremely helpful in your day to day walk.
Your ministry is probably your natural propensity to react to a situation. My friend cooks. Another friend visits. And, if you’re good at something, like my niece, make it your ministry!
I am taking some literary liberty here and going out on a limb and saying perhaps our ministry is similar to our talents. What do you think? I’m always interested in comments and other’s thoughts.
For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. (From the Parable of the talents in Matthew 25.)
Do Your Homework!
What do you think your talent/ministry is? Now, get busy and exercise it!
Great post Susan! Hubby & I were just talking about this!
Our ministry & giftings have definitely changed since retiring.
My ministry is now writing & gifting more in encouragement now.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, the Lord is in our shifts. I love your writing and encouragement. Shall we have a cuppa together?
Such a good post, Susan! May we use our gifts (talents) to minister to those around us the love of God.
Thanks Jo!
I also think our understanding of our gifts grows with us. At one time I would have said my gift was administration because I functioned in that capacity, but I wonder now if it was a matter of rising to an occasion to meet a need. Or maybe my aging brain is just tired of wrangling details?
Ya know, MM, I think our gifts, talents, ministries change through the years. My gift of encouragement has always been – but my talents seem to change as I grow more mature. 😉
Beautiful post, Susan! I do believe the Lord has given us talents to be used for ministry. I love the examples you share. May we each find ways to use our passion and gifts for the Lord’s glory this week.
Hey Lisa good to see you here!
Enjoyed this post very much, Susan…..as I always do.
Set my mind to thinkin’……..
I am part of the “helps ministry” at church but I do believe that “helps” is a gifting.
From your list I know that hospitality has been at the top of my list for many years. Now I face a time when physically I just cannot do what I have always done and I am believing for a physical healing so I can resume walking in that.
Giving is also one of my gifts.
I would never think of myself really as an evangelist but as I read your list I wondered if the old lady who shares Jesus with the tech guy at the satellite internet company is indeed called to evangelism.
*grin*
Kathy
I believe we are all called to evangelize!!!!!!!!!!! You will practice hospitality again – you are so good at it.
xo
This is great. I took a spiritual gifts test once and it came back with shepherding, mercy showing and serving. Blessings.
YES! Do you feel as though those 3 have changed over the years or not?