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>THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN® LIFE Daily Devotional
>November 4, 2004
>
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>Gifted for a Reason
>by John Fischer
>
>God made us to fit into His family and gave each of us gifts that will 
>help define our place in that family. That gift is a special ability to 
>meet other people’s needs. It’s what helps us serve better. Serving other 
>people is not an added little project for us to take on so we can be 
>purpose-driven; it is an integral part of our identities. You were made to 
>serve, and you were given gifts to help you serve better.
>
>Your gift is by nature just that: a gift, so it is not hard to do. 
>Sometimes it may take effort to get yourself into a place where you can 
>exercise your spiritual gift, but once you start serving, the gift comes 
>naturally. If you’re not sure what your gift is, ask somebody.
>
>What I mean is: we are not very good judges of our own gifts. Our gifts 
>are for others, and for this reason, those who receive the benefits of our 
>gifts are the best qualified to tell us what they are. For instance, if 
>people naturally come to you for advice because you always speak 
>practically into their lives, then they are probably telling you that you 
>have the gift of wisdom. If people call you when they need something done 
>because you always get things done on time and with limited effort, they 
>may be telling you that you have the gift of service or administration. If 
>people confide in you because they know that whatever they say, you will 
>not turn them away, they may be counting on your gift of mercy. If 
>whenever you teach a Bible study or a small group, people come up to you 
>and tell you what they learned, then they may be telling you that you have 
>the gift of teaching. Ask the people around you to tell you specifically 
>how you affect their lives.
>
>Of course you have to exercise your gift before anyone can benefit from it 
>and tell you what it is. Knowledge of these things doesn’t come out of a 
>vacuum. How do you start serving if you aren’t sure what your gift is? 
>Best to simply get involved with a small group or in some capacity in your 
>church or community. As you reach out to people in general, a certain 
>expertise will take shape. It will be hard to miss. It’s a blend of what 
>you like to do, what comes easily, and what those around you confirm.
>
>Having a role to play in the family of God can be the difference between 
>wondering why we are here and knowing why. And that can make all the 
>difference in the world.
>
>For more study on spiritual gifts, read Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 
>12:4-31; Ephesians 4:4-13.
>
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