On Mission; Whats in Your Hand? (Part 2 of 3)

This is Part Two of a three part series. Check out Part One, On Mission; Start With Your Heart.

"Being missional is an adventure that starts with a heart that is captivated by Jesus."  When He has my full attention, I can pay attention to the opportunities that He is putting in front of me. Often we can think of those as spectacular things.  We aspire to them, but can't see ourselves there yet.

I was in a conversation with some ministry leaders yesterday, and they talked about the inhibitions of people whom they'd like to engage in ministry.  "I don't know enough."  "I've never done that before."

 
You know the list- this is a familiar story. I've said those things.  Maybe you are saying them now. But it's not the first time they have been said.  We can look at Exodus 3 for a good replay of this scenario.  Picture Moses and the burning bush.  Out in the desert, with herds of sheep, God got Moses' attention, and Moses responded with a bunch of protests and questions.  But I love the question that God asked him back.

"What is in your hand?" God asks Moses.  What was in his hand?  A shepherd's staff!  He had been herding sheep in the desert for forty years.  In effect, God was saying, "I have already equipped you for your part of this.  I will do the rest."

To me, that means, "How have I made you?  What are you equipped to do?  What are you good at?"  God will use our whole life experience when we will surrender it for His use. {Tweet this}  Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement or comfort, every talent or strength can bring opportunities to make God real to others when we leave the results to Him.

In his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren uses the acronym, SHAPE, to help people discover ways they might contribute to the Kingdom. 

·         S- spiritual gift
·         H- heart, passion, burden
·         A- abilities
·         P- personality
·         E- experience

Each one of us is unique.  We might have similarities, but each of us has an individual path.  The things that the Lord has already built into you is what He would delight to us for His own glory.

A friend of mine loves children, baking, and formal English teas.  Her day job is a combination of human resources and marketing, but her missional adventures seem to come with her cookie baking sessions with neighborhood children. Over bowls of cookie dough and baking pans, conversations about God and life take place. Those talks also give her opportunities with parents as well. I'm amazed at the avenues into people's hearts that open up to her because she is willing to take ten year old girls into her home and invite them to tea. It's an everyday kind of thing coming from what's in her hand.

He intends to use each of us who are called by His name to show the world what He is like.  How will He do that?  What's in your hand?  What is your SHAPE?  He has planned from long ago how you would uniquely display His glory. 

 "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."   Ephesians 2:10, New Living Translation.

About Andrea

On any given day you might find Andrea in a meeting, on a plane, or in some part of the world where she meets amazing people and sees just a few of the awesome ways that God is working.  She serves as the Global VP for Leadership Development and HR with Campus Crusade for Christ.  When she’s home, she enjoy books, time with friends and occasionally gets to the beach. You can find her on twitter at @AndreaBuczynski and blogging at abreflections.

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