How Can You Serve?

Over the past year or so of writing this blog, I have been slowly and slowly mentioning my faith and tossing it into blog posts. I have always been afraid to really discuss it in this space because I’m worried about alienating some of my readers. As much as I love everyone’s support and want to make each and every one of you feel like you can relate to me, I also have to remember to be completely and totally myself.

I am a Christian. It has slowly become a larger and larger part of my life until I realized that it is my life. I am here because of God and my purpose here is to serve him, which means that my faith falls into everything that I do. Well, I try to do so, but old habits die hard (in other words, I’m no where near perfect!). I like to consider it a journey, or a practice, like yoga. You’re always improving, always working, and can always return if you fall away.

So why am I telling you all of this? Because I wanted to address the changes that some of my older readers are probably noticing, especially in today’s post.

On Monday night at my small group’s weekly bible study we discussed the idea of following God’s plan for our lives, and using the skills and talents he has given us to serve Him. If you aren’t a Christian, or religious at all, think of it this way: what is your purpose? How can you help others with your gifts?

After going through some questions in our book, I felt like I found my way of serving God, at least for the time being, and I wanted to pose some questions to get you all thinking.

What are your talents? We’re not just talking playing piano, or scientific research, or drawing, etc. I’m including anything, such as communicating with people, speaking, listening, immersing yourself into new cultures, or even being great with kids.

For me, I felt like some of my best talents are in writing, reaching out to others, and organizing and bringing people together.

What makes your heart hurt? What troubles do you hear about and it just makes your heart break? Is it orphans? Is it eating disorders? Is it animal cruelty? I’ve learned through my own experiences that the things that upset you the most in your life are usually the things you want to help other people with.

For me, it has been self-love and confidence, finding faith, eating disorders and anxiety.

How can you combine the two to serve God or others? You have skills and you have things that you want to fix or help in the world – how can you use your skills to improve upon your community?

This is where my light-bulb went off – writing. I can use writing in my blog, and maybe even a book for young women, to discuss the subjects I mentioned above. Writing is my best medium and my best form of communication.

You might not have all of your answers today, but keep this in the back of your mind. Maybe write down a few ideas, brainstorm. Sleep on it, think about it over the next week or month and hopefully you’ll find something that you’re passionate about. It might be a career, it might be a hobby or a volunteer activity, but find something that helps others and brings you joy.

Do you want to share any of your answers to these questions?