The gymnast contorts her body at such an angle so that the combination of her tucked legs and bent torso create a ball, which gives her leverage. It’s that leverage that springs her into the air, higher than what seems humanly possible, and allows her to twist and spiral toward her landing on the royal blue mat.
It’s athletes such as this whom we watch with amazement, especially during the Olympics. Countries from around the world come together once every few years to take part in this game. For some, it’s a game of excellence; for others, it’s a game of national pride; and still others simply enjoy it for the love of sports.
Yet as spectators, most of us can relate to the sheer awe of a basketball player’s ability to jump, a runner’s speed as he circles the track, and a gymnast’s flexibility and precision as she tumbles. Somewhere, deep down, we may have even wished we could do what they have spent a lifetime perfecting. Our desire to be like the Olympians is part of the reason we turn on the television, attend an event, or pick up a newspaper to see and/or read about the athletes in action.
While our desire to be stronger, faster, or more flexible may spur us on to caring for our bodies with greater detail, we generally realize that the athletes have been uniquely gifted. But why don’t we come to this same realization in the church?
Replace the gymnast on a mat with the worship leader on a stage, and the same scenario is portrayed within local churches. The worship leader is gifted with mercy to motivate her in leading the congregation to exalt the Lord. But what happens when we crave the singer’s mercy and covet his or her talent?
Too often, individuals find themselves burned out and discouraged for two reasons: because they’ve tried to fill roles that God never intended them to fill or because they are not serving in the motivation God has given them.
The Game Plan
Instead of trying to emulate the gifts in those whom we admire, we should ask God to give us insight into our own unique gifts. Rather than seeking to serve in the same area of ministry as people we look up to, we should be asking God to give us the desire and dedication with which they serve–so that we can passionately serve God with right motives.
The body of Christ functions properly when individuals serve in the areas God has called them for the reasons He has called them there. When people begin serving out of their unique, God-given motivational gifts, they will serve with less weariness.
So how do you develop your motivational gift?
Learn to walk by the Spirit. Constant examination of your life, repentance, and submission to the Lord signifies that you are living not in your own strength but in the strength of Christ within you.
Know the characteristics of your gift and ask God to sharpen them in your life. How you respond to people and why particular needs burden your heart more than others are evidence of the motivational gift God has given you. Ask Him to help you identify and sharpen it in your daily life.
When you’re living by the Spirit, your motivational gift will drive you–no matter who or where you’re serving. Jesus Christ will use it to equip you; His life will truly flow through you.
The significance of this is amazing and profound! It will give the world an accurate view of the church, and more importantly, an accurate view of God. This portrait of unity is what attracts unbelievers to individuals, churches, and ultimately, Jesus Christ.
The Thrill of Victory
As believers, we sometimes forget that God is sovereign–in control of everything, right down to who does what and why they do it. He is a God of order. Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of our lives (nlt)." God knew what He wanted you to do before you were born, so He created you with that role in mind. He gave you a motivational gift to help you in that capacity.
We see an example of God’s eye for detail in the book of Numbers. He assigned each group of Levites a special service in handling the tabernacle. Each family had its own campsite, its own side of the tabernacle to care for, and its own responsibilities in carrying the tabernacle’s components.
The Gershonites carried the tabernacle’s covering, curtains, screen for the doorway, and cords. (Numbers 4:24-27) The Merari descendents were responsible for the tabernacle’s boards, bars, pillars, and sockets. (Numbers 4:29-32) On the south side of the tabernacle, the Kohath descendents had duties involving "the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen and all the service concerning them" (Numbers 3:31).
By giving each division of Levites its own responsibilities, God gave us a complete portrait of how He set His priests apart. In the same way, God sets His children apart–to be viewed by a watching world.
God not only lays different burdens on the hearts of different individuals, but He also gives gifts, talents, and resources to distinctive people, ministries, and churches. It’s when His church at large–the body of Christ–supports and relies on each other’s unique gifts that the world gets an accurate view of God’s people, God’s power, and God’s sovereignty.
-Dr.Charles Stanley
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