Understanding Your Shape - Chapter 31 Purpose Driven Life

You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13) - Msg


SHAPE: Applying Your Abilities


No one has the exact same mix of factors that make you unique.

If you don't make your unique contribution to the Body of Christ, it won't be made.

Even abilities used to sin are God-given; they are just being misused or abused.

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

God has a place in his church where your specialties can shine and can make a difference. It's up to you to find that place.

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.

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.




SHAPE: Using Your Personality

God works through different people in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purpose through them all.

There is no right or wrong temperament for ministry.

The world would be a very boring place if were all plain vanilla.

Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities.

Like stained glass, our different personalities reflect God's light in many colors and patterns.

It feels good to do what God made you to do.




SHAPE: Employing Your Experience

You have been shaped by your experiences in life, most of which were beyond your control. God allowed them for his purpose of molding you.

God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to equip you for ministry to others.

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

People are always more encouraged when we share how God's grace helped us in weakness than when we brag about our strenghs.

Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you.

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.

Nobody else can be me.



"God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings."

1 Peter 4:10 (LB)