Insights are short, biblical truths to equip you to lead from your strengths.
You’ve been given an opportunity to serve. What’s your style?
Perhaps you serve best when you systematically confirm the need and the available resources before proceeding. Or maybe you have the ability to embrace what God tells you to do and act on it quickly and enthusiastically.
God uses both styles. And you never know when He might call upon you to use yours.
Here’s an Insight: Serve in YOUR style
In Bible times, the faithful flocked to Jerusalem to commemorate Passover – God’s release of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery. The city was crowded.
Two disciples were responsible for arranging their group’s celebration, so they asked Jesus, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (Mark 12:14, ESV).
Jesus knew their strengths lay in validating information methodically, and He gave them a detailed, step-by-step answer: go into the city, find a man carrying a water jug, follow him, enter into the house after him, and make arrangements with the homeowner to host their party. “And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them” (Mark 14:16, ESV). They confirmed the details and prepared the meal.
Jesus’ call to serve to the disciples allowed them to use their strengths and fulfill their responsibility in serving the group.
Not as much is known about the homeowner in this story, except for this: he was asked to provide a room for the Teacher, and he immediately led the disciples to “a large upper room furnished and ready” (Mark 14:15, ESV). This account reveals the homeowner had the ability to embrace God’s call to serve and respond easily, quickly, and with trust.
Some of us serve best when we proceed step-by-step, as the two disciples did. Some of us, like the master of the house, serve best by simply embracing God’s call with enthusiasm and moving forward right away.
God used both strengths to provide the Upper Room for Jesus and His disciples. There they would share their last meal before His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Why would God gift you with certain strengths and then thwart your ability to use those strengths in serving Him? Sure, there will be times in your life when God invites you to stretch yourself. Yet it makes sense, too, that God would call you to serve in the manner in which He has gifted you.
Serve in style – your style. Use your strengths. And let God provide others who will use their strengths so that together, you can complete the work He has called you to do.
More Ways the Disciples Used Their Strengths
Let’s Go (Peter) or Let’s Make a Plan (Thomas)
That’s Wonderful! (Mary) or Give Me Proof (Peter)