Day 38: Gifts!

Read: 1 Peter 4:10

“Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.”

Understand:

1. What should our gifts me used for?
2. Why do you think God mentions that we have been given certain gifts?

Listen: Do you ever wonder why you are really good at something but really bad at something else? Even if you’re in the same family, one sibling will be so good at something while you just don’t have that skill. For example, I have two older sisters. One of my sisters has a green thumb. I mean you should see her garden. (The picture for today is just one small representation of it.) She’s always been that way. Me, I can’t grow a weed. That’s okay though. It’s just who we are. My other sister always kicked my toosh at Monopoly. Why is that? Why couldn’t I ever get better at that game? She just had the skill set to know what to do and how to manage things with her properties. Again, it’s just that we have been given different abilities. It took me a long time to realize that just because I wasn’t good at something didn’t mean I didn’t have talent or wasn’t as good as someone else. I struggled with that for a long time and it made me miserable.

A couple of years ago, I was listening to a pastor talk about starting off a new year. He talked about resolutions that people make for a new year and encouraged his listeners to embrace the hope of a new beginning. He talked about how in anything we do, if it honors God and brings glory to His name, that God see’s it as good. One thing he also did was to give three questions that we should ask ourselves as we consider embarking on a new beginning. These were guiding questions which should be individualized within each person because they should be very unique-why? Because we are unique! Here they are:

1. What gifts has God given me?
2. What need can my gift fill?
3. What can I do with my gift?

He emphasized the fact that God gives people different gifts to fulfill needs on this earth. This statement really shook me. He said, “SOMEBODY NEEDS WHAT YOU KNOW.” Wow! If I don’t use what I know how to do then someone, somewhere, is going without– because of me! That’s a lot to take in. When you think of using your gifts to help others and not merely to just make yourself happy, things can take on a whole new perspective.

Even though this isn’t the start of a new year yet, let me just offer you encouragement to realize your gift and to use it! Scripture tells us that Christ reassured us that He had come to earth so that we “may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Don’t chase someone else’s gift. You already have your own and it’s amazingly perfect for you! See how your life becomes more abundant with what you’ve been given.

Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making each and every one of us unique. We are all so special and You created us for a purpose. Help every one of us to realize our unique gift and use it to help others and to bring You glory. In Jesus name we pray, amen.