God shaped you for a purpose. He expects you to make the most of what you have been given. He doesn't want you to worry about or covet abilities you don't have. Instead he wants you to focus on talents he has given you to use.

Take a long, honest look at what you are good at and what you're not good at. Review your life and think about how it has shaped you. What do you really enjoy doing most? What am I doing when I lose track of time? Do I like routine or variety? Do I prefer serving with a team or by myself? Experiment with different areas of service; when it doesn't work out, call it an "experiment," not a failure.

Accept en enjoy your shape
The pot has no right to say to the potter: `Why did you make me this shape?’ Instead, celebrate the shape God has given only to you. Recognize your limitations. Nobody is good at everything.

Don’t compare your ministry with others:

• You will always find someone who seems to be doing a better job than you and you will become discouraged.
• You will always be able to find someone who doesn't seem as effective as you and you will get full of pride.

Don’t conform your ministry to the expectations of others. You will find that people who do not understand your shape for ministry will criticize you and try to get you to conform to what they think you should be doing. Ignore them. As John Bunyan said, "If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me."

Keep developing your shape
Jesus' parable of the talents illustrates that God expects us to make the most of what he gives us. We are to cultivate our gifts and abilities, and broaden our experiences so we will be increasingly more effective in our service. Use the ability you've got and God will increase it. Don't settle for a half-developed gift. Take advantage of every training opportunity!

Question to Consider:
How can I make the best use of what God has given me?

Verse to Remember:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,  a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15