Day Four. Principle: Opportunity
Scripture:
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up... Ephesians 4:11-12
Thoughts:
We envision Village to be a church where gifts connect with opportunity, as we use our God-given talents to meet needs.
As we at Village dream about our future, we want to be all that God calls us to be, not a wasteland of unrealized potential and unmet needs. We want to be a place where people come and discover what they have been truly made for. After all, that is what God mandates in this text.
God tells us first to realize His grace in our life. God has done something gracious in all of us who know Him, something that goes beyond salvation. When Jesus accomplished His work on the Cross and went to heaven, He dispensed certain abilities to each one of us who make up His body. Some make the faulty assumption that we have nothing to offer, but God says just the opposite. What do you have a passion for that blesses others? What does God seem to bless in your life? These are all indications of your gifts.
All of us are called to unleash His gifts. Gifted leaders must invest in people, equipping them for ministry. Gifted saints must be released into service, to be used by God in ways they never imagined.
We realize and unleash our gifts in order to fulfill God's purpose. If leaders are equipping, if saints are ministering, and if the gifts converge, then something powerful will happen. A radical oneness will emerge, a radical maturity will develop, and a radical fullness will result.
Reflection:
Have I discovered the gifts God has given me? How is He calling me to use those gifts?
Prayer:
Lord, help me release my God-given potential for the building up of Your people. Open doors before me so that I will clearly know Your leading.
