Simply Coffee Talk :: Questions & Follow Up from Shari Rigby's Episode
Hey friends!
The conversation I got to have with Shari Rigby recently brought out such depth around the concepts of identity, calling, purpose, talents, and gifts. In light of that, I wanted to create a space to dive deeper. If you and I were having coffee, these are things I would want to talk about with you. Please feel free to use them in your own life for conversations with God, friends, small groups, however you feel led to engage, but these questions are worth the asking, and this content is worth a closer look.
xo,
Em
Questions to Consider:
-What Holy Ground has God placed you on?
-Shari’s words for the year: Reflect, Refresh and Refocus. How do these words land on you?
-When you hear us talking about how we are not at war with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), what does that mean to you?
(For more on that conversation, check out my episode with Dr. Michael Heiser on spiritual warfare.)
There’s a fight against our sin nature on the inside, and there is a battle raging for our time, and our attention. There is a campaign against you, and against the Kingdom of God to maim our identity, to distract us from our purpose, to make us doubt our calling, to keep us from cultivating our talents, and to keep us in the dark about the gifts God gives us by His Spirit, as well as the weapons He provides for us to do all the fighting with.
-Which attack from the list above are you currently struggling with?
“God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.”
In season two of the podcast, we will talk more about what it looks like to fight against the schemes of the Enemy of our Souls. An amazing resource to dive in to now, is the Armor of God study by Priscilla Shirer and Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today’s Culture by Jackie Hill Perry. Both of these studies take an in depth and fascinating look at what is raging around us, and how we can trust God, deepen our faith, and learn to fight for the life that has been given and entrusted to us. We need the body of Christ to do what it was made to do. There are hearts ripe for the harvest that are hurting, and the workers are few. In order to do that, and to live fully in the abundant life we were made for, we must engage. You’re worth it. You were made to know Him, and be known by Him.
Let’s break down what Shari shared with us about the unique differences between calling, gifts, talents and purpose:
*Jesus is our purpose, everything we do and what we are created for is to serve the Lord. Purpose never changes
“Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
*Calling is what He’s given you to do where you are. Calling can shift in various seasons, but the purpose remains the same to glorify God and serve others through your calling.
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
“Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.”
*Talents are things you have been born with that can be cultivated and used for God’s glory, our good, and building of the Kingdom of God.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
*This is a great article on differentiating between gifts and talents.
*Giftings are gifts from the Holy Spirit, that are used like tools that work in alignment with all the other pieces.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good”
“ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”
Find lists of Spiritual Gifts and other thoughts on them in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:11, Isaiah 11:2, Exodus 31:3, 1 Corinthians 14:12. To take a test to find out a break down of YOUR spiritual gifts, go here. (Stay tuned for more about this in season 2!!)
Example to process: King David was a man of many talents - shepherd // warrior // leader // prophet // lyricist // musician
- Which of these is David’s talents? Gifts? Calling? How are they unique from each other?
*For more on this exercise, check out Shari’s book, Consider The Lilies: Get Rooted In Your Destiny By Discovering God's Plan
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].”
Here are a few other places to dive in and elaborate on from our conversation:
For further study on women in scripture who lead in the early Church:
-Galatians 3:28 - we are all one, What identifies and qualifies us is in Christ alone.
-2 Timothy 2:5- Timothy’s Mother and Grandmother
-Also see the Daughters of Grace study from Daily Grace Co
Other GREAT Bible Study resources for diving in from various topics in this episode:
*Ask yourself: What are the names of God, why does He call Himself the names He does? What are His character attributes that make up who He is?
The Character of God - Daily Grace Co.
None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different Than Us (And Why That’s a Good Thing) by Jen Wilkin
The Lord is not finished with us, friends. Not even a little bit. Let’s take heart, and press in to the Holy Ground where He has placed us for such a time as this. It matters, dear one. You matter. Your story matters.