20/20: God's Vision For My LifeSample

You’re Different

By Brad Stahl

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. 1 Peter 4:10 

In his first letter to Christians scattered across Asia, the apostle Peter urged believers to follow Christ’s example of being a servant of all. He instructed them by saying, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” When we break apart this verse, we discover three powerful points concerning serving.

The verse begins with “Each of you.” This shows individuality. Not a single person is left out; each one of you is unique. There is a place for me and a place for you. The apostle Paul explains it beautifully using the analogy of a human body:

The foot might say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body.” But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body. The ear might say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body.” But saying this would not stop the ear from being a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, it would not be able to hear. If the whole body were an ear, it would not be able to smell. If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But truly God put all the parts, each one of them, in the body as he wanted them. (1 Corinthians 12:15–19)

Have you ever felt like your differences disqualified you from belonging? You shouldn’t. Remember that 1 Peter 4:10 starts out with, “Each of you.” That means you! God made each one of us different for a reason, and He placed us in the Body with different gifts and skills as He pleased.

The middle section of the verse goes on to say, “you should use whatever gift you have received.” God has deposited special abilities and gifts inside everyone. That means you have a special gift inside of you! Have you discovered what it is? It could be the thing you do effortlessly—the thing that comes naturally to you. It could be something that brings you satisfaction and excitement. 

In the movie Chariots of Fire, the main character—Eric Liddell (who was an Olympic runner)—said, “I believe God made me fast for a purpose. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Liddell felt a sense of God-ordained satisfaction when he used the unique ability to run that God had given him. In the same way, God is pleased when you use the gifts He’s given you to serve others.

God gives each of us different gifts, and they can be expressed in many different ways. Your gift could be a skill like plumbing, painting, playing music, or strategic planning. It could be an expression of kindness like showing hospitality, caring for the elderly, reaching out to the hurting, or giving to the needs of others. Your gift may be something vocal like speaking words of encouragement, giving counsel, sharing God’s Word with unbelievers, or teaching. 

Whatever it is, God has placed gifts inside of you, and He wants to work together with you as you use those gifts to build His kingdom. After winning the Men’s 400 meters at the Olympics, Eric Liddell used his ability to run as a platform to proclaim the gospel.

The final part of 1 Peter 4:10 tells the reason why “each of you should use whatever gift you have received.” It is “to serve others.” Just like our gifts express themselves in different ways, so are the recipients of our service different. Two different people may have the same gift of teaching, but one may want to serve children and the other may want to serve those in financial trouble. Ask yourself who you have a desire to serve. Are you burdened for a specific people group or a cause? Is there a problem that needs to be solved that you can provide help with?

Each time you serve others, you follow Jesus’ example. He told His disciples:

“You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25–28)

The fourth chapter of Ephesians tells us that the Church is edified and strengthened when the members are empowered to use their gifts to do ministry work. Take a moment the next time you’re at church to look around at all the people. Each one has been placed there with a special ability to serve people. You have been placed there for a special reason. God is calling you to make the Church stronger through serving. So find a cause, a problem, or a group of people, and use your gift to serve.

We are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people. Help us to remember it, Lord.
~ George W. Bush

Memory Verse

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10