"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
Have you ever watched a baby play with a shape sorter toy like the one pictured (right)? Most babies have difficulty getting the shapes into the right holes until they learn to look at the shape first, and then find the hole it will fit into.
We need to pay attention to our God-given shape--the spiritual gifts God has given to us--and then it will be easier to figure out how we fit into God's plan:
S = Spiritual gifts
H = Heart's desire (Psalm 37:5)
A = Abilities
P = Personality
E = Experience
Clemmer suggested students do three things to help them find their God-given shape:
1. Think of three things that bring you joy and energy.
2. Do an assessment of your spiritual gifts. Use 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4 to guide you.
3. Find two or three people who know you well. Ask them to tell you what they consider to be your strengths and weaknesses. Be open to the adults in your life--parents, teachers, pastors, youth sponsors.
"Your calling is where your greatest joy meets the world's greatest need." Theologian Frederick Buechner
