Employing Your Zeal

Throughout the years of local church work, I have encountered many well-meaning, godly Christians who love the Lord, but their zeal is misdirected in terms of their ministry choices.

Some young men have shown a zeal for preaching the gospel, but lack the necessary communication skills, organizational ability, and temperament to be an effective public proclaimer and preacher. I’ve seen those who want to lead singing in worship, but lack the musical ability.

I recall on one occasion brethren in a business meeting were trying to find a volunteer to teach the teenage class. Everyone was looking at their shoes. No one stepped forward. Finally, an older, retired man raised his hand. He was quickly selected . But he was not a good fit. He was zealous. But was not trained to teach and lacked the ability to connect with the teens. Many other examples could be given of zeal being improperly directed.

The Bible offers this insight that can focus our zeal in the right direction. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10, NASU)

The word rendered “employed” in the NASU is translated “serve” or “minister” in other versions. In means to “wait upon,” to be an “attendant,” “to provide,” “to take care of.” It can be used to “attend to anything that may serve another’s interest.” The ancient world used the word pertaining to a slave in relation to his work.

However, there were all types of slaves in the Greco-Roman culture. Some were domestic slaves who managed the household, tutored the children, and even served as personal attendants. Others were agricultural slaves who worked on large estates and farmed, herded livestock, or worked in the vineyard. There were public slaves who served in government, slaves dedicated to commerce and craft, gladiator slaves, industrial slaves, and even skilled slaves who were doctors, teachers, administrators, or musicians.

What do you suppose was the determining difference in the role, responsibility, and work of these slaves? While in some cases it depended on status or how they were obtained, it largely had to do with their skill set, physical ability, mental aptitude, personality, and innate talent.

Why would our roles in the Body of Christ be any different? Too often pastors and preachers have tried to push a square peg into a round hole. Of course, as noted earlier, some brethren do that to themselves which is an injustice both to themselves and the local church.

Romans 12:3 reminds us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. But to think soberly. Paul continues in the text by reminding them and us that while we are all members of the same Body, not everyone has the same function. According to God’s grace, you have been given a gift, so use it. But don’t try to do something that you’re not equipped to do.

In his workbook “Lifelong Zeal: How To Build Lasting Passion for God,” Phillip Shumate speaks of “leveraging your strengths.” He offers these four questions to help you discover your unique gift and grow greater zeal.

• What actions are required of me?
• What actions bring me the greatest return?
• What actions are the most rewarding to me?
• What actions are directly related to my personality?

The first question points out that God requires certain basic actions for every Christian. For instance, we’re all commanded to join with fellow Christians for worship. He wants to shine as lights in the world and share our faith. He calls all of us to holiness. And He expects each one to be accountable to his own personal responsibilities as a father, mother, husband, wife, employee, or employer, or whatever role in which we are called. All of these should be exercised with both faithfulness and fervor.

The following three questions can only be answered by each one of us individually. They speak to our gifts, passion, abilities, personality, and experience. These five areas are explained in detail by author Erik Rees in his fine book S. H. A. P. E. Subtitled Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose For Life.

The answers to these questions will often relate to Jesus parable of the talents. Are you a 5 talent person? A 2 talent person? Or a 1 talent person? It makes no difference in terms of God’s love, expectations, and acceptance. Each can serve with zeal, fervor, and passion, performing their duties with excellence.

The old hymn by J. R. Baxter reminds us that “There is room in the Kingdom of God for you, my brother. Find your place. Fulfill your purpose. And serve with zeal.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Col. 3:23).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman