Young people involved in the church often encounter the question of how to best serve God. Some would say that being a pastor or a deaconess is the best choice that one can have if one truly desires to glorify God. However, I believe that God made us to be individuals, each with our own identities and a unique set of skills, for a reason.

My sister and I were raised as pastor’s kids, born in a Christian family, with our mother being a minister. Even though neither of our parents forced us to follow in her footsteps, there were certainly people around us that expected us to become either a pastor or deaconess someday. It was quite difficult growing up with everyone’s eyes fixed on me, looking at every move and life decision. But God has shown me an opportunity where I can express who I really am.

Jesus’ disciples were not preachers or temple-servers when he met them, but ordinary people with their own one-of-a-kind abilities. Some were fishermen, one was a tax collector, and even Jesus himself began as a carpenter. I’m sure they seemed like one peculiar travelling group. However, even though differences existed between them in terms of their backgrounds and ideologies, Jesus was able to unite them all. What kept their unity is their individual passion to serve, to know more about God and glorify Him.

“It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.”

Before we are even born, God has already written our story. Each of us has our own mission, a calling and how we can make a difference in this world. When talking about serving God, people automatically assumes that one should attain a degree in theology or become a minister. The important thing we need to understand is that to serve God is to simply give one’s life to Him. Jesus answered in Luke 4:8 that “it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.”

When I have the opportunity to talk with people (and eventually get to the topic of what I do for a living), I am proud to share that I am a part-time instructor/psychologist and a full-time Christian. I do my best every day to live up the Christian way of life in my work as an instructor, as a psychologist and as a friend—everything. With my profession, I believe this is where I excel and it has been my goal to use it to know people, help them with their individual struggles, and share the love of Christ.

God made us all unique and there are advantages in our differences. We have our individual calling and mission in this world; let us fulfill our calling to the full extent so, together, we can transform into a beautiful tapestry that is stronger and sturdier than any individual thread.

Further reading: Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15

Discussion question: Where do you excel? How can you use this to serve God?