We all have something to offer… unique skills, knowledge, experience and belongings that could be used to help meet particular needs in your community.
However, many of us have not yet taken a step back to look at how our unique G.I.F.T.S. can be used to help others and make our own lives more meaningful and fulfilling.
This 3 part blog will help you begin to discover these G.I.F.T.S.
- Your GOALS
- Your INTERESTS
- FULFILLMENT of your life’s purpose
- Your TALENTS
- Your SITUATION in life
Uncovering what you can do to make a difference in the lives of others is an important and challenging process. In Part 1 we addressed Goals and Interests, part 2 we focused on Fulfillment and Talents, part 3 will address your Situation in Life.
SITUATION
All of your past goals, interests, talents and experiences have led you to where you are now. No matter who, what and where you are today, you are in a position to give back. God brought you to this place in life for a reason! No one is better equipped than you to use your current situation to help others given all of your experiences that brought you to where you are. You are in a better position to meet certain types of needs than those in others walks of life. Whatever you do for a living, whatever belongings you have, whoever you see in need, and wherever you live is a good place to start when considering how you can make a positive impact on others.
That’s why Meet the Need enables you to search and select the type of need you are in a unique position to meet… whether it’s for a family or organization, whether it’s a material item or a service you want to provide, or whether it’s in your community, state or even overseas that you want to help out.
For example, if you’re a Christian college student, working adult, stay at home mother or senior retiree, register with MTN to find ways for bringing hope and help to those around you.
Key Questions:
- Why do you think God has you in the job, relationship, family and social situation you are in now?
- What types of needs do you see around you every day?
- What local or international needs are you, your family, company or your church in a great position to help meet?
How are you using the blessings God has given you to bless others?
Looking back on your answers to all of those questions in part 1,2,& 3… consider what your G.I.F.T.S. are and how you can use them to bless other people. Using your God-given G.I.F.T.S. will not only provide material help to those in need… it will also give them the gift of hope as people see God’s love for them through your acts of service. To help focus your search of the MTN database for needs that fit your G.I.F.T.S., check out the examples below:
| Goals | Doctor looking to retire soon and use what he has to help others | |
| Interests | Compassion for children suffering from HIV/AIDS in Africa | |
| Fulfillment | Not sure how God wants to use him, but wants to know | |
| Talents | Great at working with kids; Has excess medical supplies | |
| Situation | Pediatric physician living in a small town in Tennessee | |
| Needs Met through MTN | Donated medical supplies to missionary organization in Zimbabwe. Provided free pediatric medical services during a weekend event sponsored by a local church | |
| Goals | Get more out of life than just working for years for a large builder | |
| Interests | Has a heart for improving the quality of life of those less fortunate | |
| Fulfillment | Feels that God is leading him to use his skills for a greater purpose | |
| Talents | Skills and know-how in building homes, particularly roofing | |
| Situation | Construction worker living in Atlanta | |
| Needs Met through MTN | Worked part-time with local ministry to rehab homes of poor families. One day would like to go on a trip overseas to help build a church | |
| Goals | Use new-found free time not just to relax but to help others | |
| Interests | Getting people back on their feet after they’ve hit hard times | |
| Fulfillment | Find God’s plan for her now that her children are grown | |
| Talents | Teaching and tutoring; Refurnishing house and has used furniture | |
| Situation | Former schoolteacher whose two children have just gone to college | |
| Needs Met through MTN | Working with a local ministry that provides job skills training and placement services to displaced workers. Donated furniture to local families | |
