Blue Umbrella Official Summer 2017 issue | Page 16

A S ervant ?s H eart By: M egh an J. What does it mean to have a servant?s heart? It means that you have a heart for serving others. It?s also a special, God-given gift that is mentioned in Romans 12:7. When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, we are each blessed with different gifts. Service happens to be one of these gifts. However, even if you have not been given this particular gift, we are each called to serve using whatever gift we have been given. Romans 12:4-8 talks about this, ?For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.? It doesn?t matter what gift you have been given, we are all called to serve using what gifts we have. You may be wondering, ?How do I know what my gift is?? Truly learning what your gifts are and developing them takes time, but you will get there. However, even if you aren?t sure what your gifts are yet, you can still start serving. There are many areas where you can give of your time; you can volunteer at your church, around your community, and even at home. It doesn?t matter where you serve, all that matters is that you are giving of yourself to serve those around you. This is exactly what God calls us to do, ?Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God?s grace in its various forms.? I Peter 4:10. The more you serve and begin to use the gifts that God has given you, the sooner you will learn exactly what those gifts are and how to use them the best you can, all for the glory of God.