The Purpose Driven Life, Chapter Thirty One
Understanding Your Shape
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
Only you can be you. God designed each of us so there would be no duplication in the world. No one has the exact same mix of factors that make you unique. That means no one else on earth will ever be able to play the role God planned for you. If you don't make your unique contribution to the Body of Christ, it won't be made.
APPLYING YOUR ABILITIES
Your abilities are the natural talents you were born with.
1) All of our abilities come from God
Even abilities used to sin are God-given; they are just being misused or abused. Since your natural abilities are from God, they are just as important and as "spiritual" as your spiritual gifts. The only difference is that you were given them at birth.
You have dozens, probably hundreds, of untapped, unrecognized, and unused abilities that are lying dormant inside you. many studies have revealed that the average person possesses from 500 to 700 different skills and abilities--far more than you realize. You are a bundle of incredible abilities, an amazing creation of God. Part of the church's responsibility is to identify and release your abilities for serving God.
2) Every ability can be used for God's glory.
God has a place in his church where your specialties can shine and you can make a difference. It's up to you to find that place.
3) What I'm ABLE to do, God WANTS me to do.
You are the only person on earth who can use your abilities. No one else can play your role.because they don't have the unique shape that God has given you. To discover God's will for your life, you should seriously examine what you are good at doing and what you're good at. The abilities you have are a strong indication of what God wants you to do with your life. They are clues to knowing God's will for you. God doesn't waste abilities; he matches our calling and our capabilities. Your abilities were not given just to make a living; God gave them to you for your ministry.
USING YOUR PERSONALITY
Your uniqueness is a scientific fact of life. When God made you, he broke the mold. There never has been, and never will be, anybody exactly like you. It is obvious that God loves variety--just look around!! He created each of us with a unique combination of personality traits. God made introverts and extroverts. He made people who love routine and those who love variety. He made some people thinkers and others feelers. Some people work best when given an individual assignment while others work better with a team.
There is no right or wrong temperament for ministry. We need all kinds of personalities to balance the church and give it flavor. The world would be a very boring place if we were all plain vanilla.
EMPLOYING YOUR EXPERIENCES
You have been shaped by your experiences in life, most of which were beyond your control. God allowed them for his purpose fo molding you. In determining your shape for serving God, you should examine at least six kinds of experiences from your past:
Family experiences: What did you learn growing up in your family?
Educational experiences: What were your favorite subjects in school?
Vocational experiences: What jobs have you been most effective in and enjoyed most?
Spiritual experiences: What have been your most meaningful times with God?
Ministry experiences: How have you served God in the past?
Painful experiences: What problems, hurts, thorns, and trials have you learned from?
It is this last category that God uses the most to prepare you for ministry. God never wastes a hurt! In fact, your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your greatest hurt. God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to equip you for ministry to others.
Using your shape is the secret of both fruitfulness and fulfillment in ministry. You will be most effective when you use your spiritual gifts and abilities in the area of your heart's desire, and in a way that best expresses your personality and experiences. The better the fit, the more successful you will be.
APPLYING YOUR ABILITIES
Your abilities are the natural talents you were born with.
1) All of our abilities come from God
Even abilities used to sin are God-given; they are just being misused or abused. Since your natural abilities are from God, they are just as important and as "spiritual" as your spiritual gifts. The only difference is that you were given them at birth.
You have dozens, probably hundreds, of untapped, unrecognized, and unused abilities that are lying dormant inside you. many studies have revealed that the average person possesses from 500 to 700 different skills and abilities--far more than you realize. You are a bundle of incredible abilities, an amazing creation of God. Part of the church's responsibility is to identify and release your abilities for serving God.
2) Every ability can be used for God's glory.
God has a place in his church where your specialties can shine and you can make a difference. It's up to you to find that place.
3) What I'm ABLE to do, God WANTS me to do.
You are the only person on earth who can use your abilities. No one else can play your role.because they don't have the unique shape that God has given you. To discover God's will for your life, you should seriously examine what you are good at doing and what you're good at. The abilities you have are a strong indication of what God wants you to do with your life. They are clues to knowing God's will for you. God doesn't waste abilities; he matches our calling and our capabilities. Your abilities were not given just to make a living; God gave them to you for your ministry.
USING YOUR PERSONALITY
Your uniqueness is a scientific fact of life. When God made you, he broke the mold. There never has been, and never will be, anybody exactly like you. It is obvious that God loves variety--just look around!! He created each of us with a unique combination of personality traits. God made introverts and extroverts. He made people who love routine and those who love variety. He made some people thinkers and others feelers. Some people work best when given an individual assignment while others work better with a team.
There is no right or wrong temperament for ministry. We need all kinds of personalities to balance the church and give it flavor. The world would be a very boring place if we were all plain vanilla.
EMPLOYING YOUR EXPERIENCES
You have been shaped by your experiences in life, most of which were beyond your control. God allowed them for his purpose fo molding you. In determining your shape for serving God, you should examine at least six kinds of experiences from your past:
Family experiences: What did you learn growing up in your family?
Educational experiences: What were your favorite subjects in school?
Vocational experiences: What jobs have you been most effective in and enjoyed most?
Spiritual experiences: What have been your most meaningful times with God?
Ministry experiences: How have you served God in the past?
Painful experiences: What problems, hurts, thorns, and trials have you learned from?
It is this last category that God uses the most to prepare you for ministry. God never wastes a hurt! In fact, your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your greatest hurt. God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to equip you for ministry to others.
Using your shape is the secret of both fruitfulness and fulfillment in ministry. You will be most effective when you use your spiritual gifts and abilities in the area of your heart's desire, and in a way that best expresses your personality and experiences. The better the fit, the more successful you will be.