What Is God Calling Me to Do Next?

           One of the core themes in Christian thought is that all persons are created in God’s image and that each of us is unique.  From a Christian perspective, God has given each of us many special abilities and talents.  For instance, some of us have musical gifts, while others are skilled in plumbing or carpentry or dry wall.  Still others have the gift for teaching or cooking or caring for others or financial administration.  (See Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12). 

It is not as though we have only one special gift, either.  Actually, each of us has a unique constellation of special abilities and talents.  For instance, the same individual may be a gifted musician, a skilled carpenter, and a great teacher.  From a Christian perspective, Jesus calls his disciples to use their special gifts and talents, not just for their personal gain, but also to work towards making the world a better place and establishing God’s Reign.  This means that Christians should be in a continual process of discernment, asking ourselves:  “What Is God Calling Me to Do Next with My Unique Set of Talents and Abilities?”

            This process of continual discernment is part of faithful stewardship of our gifts.  Stewardship is a very important concept within Christian thought.  A steward is someone who manages and cares for someone else’s property.  For example, a portfolio manager who invests clients’ money in order to earn a return is a steward of those financial resources. 

As Christians, we believe that Jesus calls each of his disciples to be good stewards of our special talents and abilities; to use these gifts wisely and to be in continual discernment of what God is calling us to do next.  Since the church is largely staffed through volunteers, we usually associate stewardship of our gifts and talents with various leadership positions in the church.  While this is a vitally important focus of our gifts, it is also important to note that we can use our special gifts and talents outside of the Church, to heal the world and make it a better place.  For instance, if we spend an afternoon raking leaves for a neighbor who can’t get outside—or, if we volunteer to read to kids at the elementary school—then we are being good stewards of our time, energy, and talents.

My message this weekend is grounded in the story of Stephen in Acts 6: 1-8.  Stephen was one of the first leaders in the early church.  Stephen’s leadership role was that of an administrator, insuring that all of the early Christians had their basic physical needs met.  This administrative role of Stephen and six other “Deacons” arose because of the rapid growth of the first church in Jerusalem, immediately after Christ’s ascension.

            I believe that the story of Stephen provides several new insights into our understanding of church volunteers and what it means to be good stewards of our unique gifts and talents:

Ø  Each of us must be open to new possibilities and new tasks which God may be calling us to undertake.

Ø  Church leaders must be willing to share their power and authority so that the mission of the Church is never limited.

Ø  God may call us individually to more than one task at the same time.

Ø  The church has a duty and responsibility to be good stewards of individuals’ time and energy.

 

If you live in the Meriden-area and do not have a regular church home, I invite you to join us this weekend, and see how I develop the four points above in my proclamation.  Meriden United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Dawson and Main Streets in Meriden, Kansas.  We have two worship services each weekend:

Ø  Our contemporary service starts at 6 pm on Saturday evenings.

Ø  Our classic service starts on at 10 am on Sunday mornings.

                Everyone is welcome and accepted because God loves us all.