Valuing every Christian’s MINISTRY
What is Your Sweet Spot?
Ever heard of a sweet spot? It refers to the place on a golf club or baseball bat or tennis racket where you get the most power and control out of your swing. Hit a ball in the sweet spot and you can send it flying forever. So much energy for so little effort! People have sweet spots, too. God has designed all human beings to do certain things well and in a way that is totally natural to them. For instance, one person has a knack for numbers. Another is a great problem-solver. Someone else has a nose for a bargain. Yet another is a creative genius. Every person has a sweet spot. And life makes sense when you find your spot and keep "hitting the ball" there. Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life
"In the aftermath of September 11, many Americans sought an opportunity to demonstrate patriotism and solidarity. Five students (from Texas A & M University) set the pace.
They designated the next home football game as Red, White, and Blue Out and sold T-shirts to each of the seventy thousand fans. Kyle Field morphed into a human flag as those seated in the third deck wore red, the second deck wore white and the lower deck wore blue see picture. Newspapers across America splashed the picture on front pages."
Exhibit God with Your Uniqueness
"Newsworthy indeed!" How often do thousands of people billboard a singular, powerful message? God fashioned us to do so for him. 'Each person is given something to do that shows who God is" (1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG). He distributes, not shirts, but strengths, He sends people, not to bleacher seats, but to life assignments...."
"God endows us with gifts so we can make him known. Live so that "He'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything-encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!' (1 Peter 4:111 MSG). Exhibit God with your uniqueness"
(Excerpts from Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life pp. 4,5)
Do the Most, What You Do the Best
"God implants passion. listen to the way He described the builder Bezalel. 'I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft!' (Ex. 31:2-5 NLT).
That's God speaking! Can you hear the pleasure in His voice? He sounds like a grandpa flipping photos our of His wallet. 'I have filled him...He is able...He is skilled...Yes, he is a master.' When you do the most what you do the best, you pop the pride buttons on the vest of God.
What fascination did He give you? What makes your pulse race and your eyebrow arch?"
(Excerpt from Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life pp. 36-37)
God Planned and Packed You
on Purpose
for a Purpose
Before traveling, you do something similar. You consider the demands of the journey and pack accordingly. Cold weather? Bring a jacket. Business Meeting? Carry the laptop. Time with Grandchildren? Better take some sneakers and pain medication.
God did the same with you. "Each of us is an original" (Gal. 5:26 MSG). God packed you on purpose for a purpose. Is this news to you? If so, you may be living out of the wrong bag.
You were born prepacked. God looked at your entire life, determined your assignment, and gave you the tools to do the job.
What is your S.T.O.R.Y.? How do you use your unique gifts to SERVE God?
S: What are your Strengths? What are the action words you use to describe what you do best? For example: "I planned," "I spoke", "I taught," "I built."
T: What is your Topic? What are the things you enjoy working on or with? For example:
numbers, plants, machinery, money, a team, an audience, a concept.
O: What are your Optimal Conditions? What's the environment in which you thrive? For
Example: structure, crises, instructions, projects.
R: What is your preferred Relationship? What relationship to others do you usually
take on in your stories? Are you the person in charge, a follower, a collaborator, a
team contributor, a Lone Ranger?
Y: What is your YES!? What is the satisfaction you feel in your stories? What ultimate
outcome gave you the most enjoyment?
There are many Ministry Opportunities available for you at First Presbyterian Church. God has given each person certain gifts and each person will take satisfaction from activities that make good us of their giftedness.
First Presbyterian Church
310 Plantation Road, Perry, Florida (850) 584-3826
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 837
Perry, Florida 32348
Reverend Larry D. Neal
