Are You Using Your Gifts?
Lately, I’ve been listening to the biographies of people who have done extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God and have greatly impacted the world, each in their own way. As I listen to their stories, I notice that some of these people have been given extraordinary gifts and talents while others don’t seem to be that different than ordinary me. God gifted some of these people with a brilliant mind to invent or to challenge the thoughts or tyranny of their day. Others had a gift of speaking or writing. Some of them had a heart to serve and help people, even at the risk or cost of their own lives. To more, humility, courage, athletic ability, leadership, wisdom, musical talent, and the list goes on.
None of these people had exactly the same talents or gifts. Some had a wide range of gifts and some had seemingly very few. The common thread is that each of them had God-given gifts or talents that were used for the purpose set before them.
As I listen to these stories, I find myself wishing I had been given the gifts of this person or that person. God has reminded me that He has given me gifts and talents, specific to the purpose and calling He has for my life.
Romans 12:6 (AMP) says, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly.”
Remember Church, you have each been given gifts and talents for a purpose. It won’t look the same as others in the body, and that’s okay—it’s not supposed to. If you don’t know your gifts, pray that God would reveal them to you, ask others what they think you are gifted at, serve somewhere to help figure them out. If you do have an understanding of your gifts and talents, serve the Lord and the body of Christ to the best of your ability. Most of us won’t be written about in the history books, but that doesn’t mean that our gifts aren’t needed. Go out and use your gifts in boldness, humility and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
_______________________
Brian Swanson serves as an Elder at Village Church