S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life

In Shaped by God, Max Lucado shows how not being put to use leads to loss of purpose:

Just as the Lord gave you unique spiritual gifts, passions, and abilities, the personality you have also is his gift to you. He created it and gave it to you to use for his glory.

When we use what God has graced us with, people are helped, he is honored, and we are fulfilled.

God is continually looking for ordinary people such as John who are willing to let him use them to make a difference

The key is to discover the cravings the Creator has put in you;

Paul uses a great word picture to show the importance of strengthening what God has given us when he tells young Timothy to “fan into flame” his gift (2 Timothy 1:6). Imagine smoldering embers that burst into flame as you fan them. This is exactly what happens when you develop the gifts God has given you—they become more powerful and purposeful for

So what are spiritual gifts? For this study, let’s define a spiritual gift as a God-given special ability, given to every believer at conversion by the Holy Spirit, to share his love and strengthen the body of Christ.

8 The personality God created in you is meant to be embraced because it is a reflection of your overall S.H.A.P.E.—the way he made you in order to use you for his glory. God does not create anything that does not have tremendous value and enormous potential—and he will not use anyone who does not have a willing spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul says, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church” (NLT).