“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” — 1 Peter 4:10
God has blessed you abundantly with gifts and abilities, uniquely designed for you to serve others. When He created you, He gave you the potential to serve in various capacities. Even in our roles as parents, God equips us with the strength and wisdom needed to raise and nurture our children. Just as God chose the parents for each child, He has poured into each of us the ability to serve in the roles He has called us to.
Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us that God knew us even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. He has selected us for a purpose, and He equips us for the mission He has laid before us. Parents are equipped with the necessary grace and wisdom to care for their children, just as each believer is equipped to serve God’s kingdom.
The Bible speaks of the variety of gifts we are given to serve others in 1 Peter 4:10, which tells us, “God’s grace comes in various forms.” Peter reminds us that each one of us is given a gift, not for self-glorification but to serve others. We are not meant to live in isolation or serve only our own interests. As God’s people, we are equipped to be agents of His love, grace, and truth in the world. The question is, are we using our gifts to serve others?
Seclusion from others can lead to spiritual and emotional isolation, as we see in the life of David. When David hid in a cave, he lost his sense of community and connection with God, which caused him distress. We were not made to live in isolation; we are called to live in community.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Scripture teaches that two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour, and a cord of three strands is not easily broken. In marriage, for example, we are equipped to serve one another. As husbands and wives, we are partners, each serving the other with love, respect, and care. God did not create Eve to be a servant to Adam in the way of subjection, but to be a helper, a companion, and a partner in fulfilling God’s purpose. Genesis 2:18 tells us, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” In marriage, we serve one another—husbands loving their wives sacrificially, and wives respecting and supporting their husbands. Each person is equipped by God to fulfill their role, and together we build a foundation of love and unity in the family.
Romans 12:6-8 speaks of the diversity of gifts we have within the body of Christ. We are not called to imitate others or walk in someone else’s calling. Instead, we are to recognize and embrace the unique gifts God has given to us. Whether your gift is prophecy, teaching, serving, or leadership, you are called to use it to glorify God and serve others. 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that we are all part of the same body, each with a different function, yet all working together for the good of the kingdom.
We must be faithful in our calling, trusting that God has equipped us with everything we need for the work He has set before us. As Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” You are not alone in your mission; God is with you, empowering you to fulfil your purpose.
Even in times of brokenness and struggle, God equips us to serve. We may feel wounded, but in our weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” We may not have all the answers or solutions, but we are still called to serve and to bring God’s love to others.
I encourage you to reflect on your gifts and to use them for the glory of God. As you serve, remember that you are part of a larger mission—the mission to share God’s love, bring healing to the broken, and spread the message of Christ to all people. The kingdom of God is advanced not through isolation but through unity, service, and love.
As you go through your day, may you remember that you are equipped to serve, even when facing challenges. Your life is a testimony of God’s grace, and your actions can reflect His love to the world. Let us all embrace our calling and use the gifts God has entrusted to us for His kingdom. May our hearts be equipped to reflect Christ’s love in everything we do.
Thank you, Lord, for equipping us to serve You and others. We surrender ourselves to Your will and ask that You continue to shape us into the people You have called us to be. AMEN!
