25-329 — Serving With Your Gifts (Not Someone Else’s) cover art

25-329 — Serving With Your Gifts (Not Someone Else’s)

25-329 — Serving With Your Gifts (Not Someone Else’s)

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 Today we’re stepping into a conversation that hits home for a lot of believers — the pressure to serve like someone else.Every church has that one person who seems to do everything effortlessly…That one leader with natural charisma…That one servant whose kindness feels like sunshine…That one worshiper whose voice shakes the room…And if you’re not careful, you walk in thinking:“My gifts aren’t enough.”“I don’t measure up.”“I wish I could serve like them.”Brother… I know that feeling.There were years when I tried to out-serve, out-lead, and out-perform everyone in sight — not because it was my calling, but because it was my insecurity.But here’s the truth God whispered to me when I needed it the most:“Matthew, I don’t anoint the mask — I anoint the man.”Let’s dig in.📜 OUR SPRINGBOARD FOR TODAY’S DISCUSSION IS:1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”📖 TEACHINGPeter doesn’t say some have gifts.He doesn’t say the elite have gifts.He doesn’t say the loudest, the most confident, or the most spiritual have gifts.He says each believer has received a gift — a specific, God-shaped assignment wrapped in grace.And here’s the key word:Varied.Meaning your gift isn’t supposed to look like anyone else’s.The Church is a body — not a performance team.* Some believers are hands* Some are feet* Some are voices* Some are encouragers* Some are behind-the-scenes miracles* Some are warriors in prayer* Some are leaders in crisis* Some are comforters in painAnd the moment you try to serve like someone else…You stop serving like yourself.God didn’t call you to be a copy.He didn’t design you to be a duplicate.He didn’t gift you to be a shadow.He crafted you with specific assignments in mind — places only you can fill.The enemy knows this, so he whispers:* “Your gift is too small.”* “Your role isn’t important.”* “No one sees what you do.”* “You’re not gifted like them.”But here’s the truth of heaven:Every gift matters because every person matters.When God began rebuilding my life after my “spiritual earthquake,” I kept trying to lead the way I used to — strong, loud, forceful, commanding.But the Holy Spirit kept whispering:“That’s not your gift anymore. I’m reshaping you.”I used to think leadership meant control.I used to think influence meant volume.I used to think impact meant being the center of attention.But in that season, God stripped all of that away.He wasn’t punishing me —He was pruning me.And during that pruning, He used Michelle as a living lesson.Michelle never tried to be anything but who God made her.She wasn’t loud… but she was strong.She wasn’t spotlight-focused… but she was consistent.She didn’t push… she built.And God whispered to me through her life:“You don’t have to compete with someone else’s grace — you just need to steward your own.”That truth changed everything.It changed the way I served.It changed the way I led.It changed the way I saw my calling.Gifts aren’t about greatness.They’re about obedience.🛠️ LIVING APPLICATIONIf you want to serve with power and authenticity:* Accept the gift God actually gave you — not the one you wish you had.* Stop comparing. Comparison kills calling.* Ask God where your gift fits today — not someday.* Be faithful in the small. God multiplies stewardship.* Let God refine your gift without resisting the process.📅 DAILY ACTIONAsk God one question:“What gift have You placed in me that I’ve been ignoring?”Write down the answer. Act on it.🏋️ PRACTICEUse your gift intentionally once today — not randomly, not reactively, but deliberately.Let God direct your steps.⚔️ CHALLENGE OF THE WEEKSpeak this aloud every morning:“God didn’t call me to be a copy. He called me to be a vessel.”🙏 PRAYERFather, thank You for designing me with intention.Thank You for depositing gifts in me that are unique, powerful, and needed.Break the chains of comparison, insecurity, and fear.Help me steward the grace You placed in me with courage and humility.Show me where my gift fits in Your Body — and give me the boldness to walk in it.In Jesus’ name, amen.⚡ Let’s Get To Work.Thanks for reading My Reasons To Believe! This post is public so feel free to share it.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe
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