Your Purpose Unleashed

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God... that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV)

With the end in mind, we must serve where God has gifted us. We can't do everything, but we must use what God has given us. Peter says God's grace is "manifold" - a term meaning multicolored in the Greek. There are all kinds of people with diverse gifts, and as good stewards, we must utilize these gifts for God's purposes.

Peter breaks down spiritual gifts into two categories: speaking gifts and serving gifts. If you have a speaking gift - whether as a teacher, Bible study leader, or any role where you communicate God's truth - "let him speak as the oracles of God." You don't get to invent the message. You're an echo of God's Word, pointing people to Scripture, not to your own imagination.

If you have a serving gift, "let him do it as with the ability which God supplies." Don't minister in your own strength; serve in God's strength. You're a steward, saying "yes sir" to whatever He's asked you to do.

What has God gifted you to do? Are you serving in that capacity? The truth is, you think you have tomorrow and the next day - you'll get to it next year, or the year after. You just don't have time right now. However, God's Word declares that the end of all things is at hand. Get busy with what God has gifted you to do.

Stephen Covey recommended writing a personal mission statement - describing the virtues you want to exhibit, the goals you want to achieve. I see Peter's mission statement at the end of this passage: "That in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Whatever you're doing, do it for God's glory. Do it to lift up Jesus Christ. All dominion belongs to Him.

So, how are you living in light of eternity? Have you remained expectant of His soon coming? Are you living with focus, knowing tomorrow may not be here? Have you discovered your spiritual gifts, and are you employing them for God's purposes?

Picture yourself at the end of your life, looking back. What does that older self say to you? Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. We are that close to eternity. Life goes by as fast as you can snap your fingers. Live with intentionality. Live with purpose, with all your energy focused not on doing what you want to do, but on doing what God called you to do - living for others, not just yourself.

Reflection Question: What specific gift has God given you, and how are you using it right now to serve others and glorify Him?

Lord, help me to identify and faithfully use the gifts You've given me. Whether I'm called to speak Your truth or serve in practical ways, let me do it in Your strength, not my own. Don't let me put off until tomorrow what You're calling me to do today. Give me urgency about serving You and clarity about my purpose. May everything I do bring glory to Jesus Christ, to whom belongs all glory and dominion forever. I want to hear "well done" when I stand before You. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "On the Edge of Eternity" (1 Peter 4:7-11): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/cx4wgnb/20-on-the-edge-of-eternity-1-peter-4-7-11