To anyone who has been entrusted with a gift or talent …
To those of you who don’t think you have any gifts …
To ones who have been hiding their gifts …
& before you start eliminating yourself for whatever reason, yes that includes you.
Society tries to convince us that some gifts are more valuable than others. The emphasis is usually on musical or athletic gifts, but it's not limited to these categories. You can be a gifted communicator, administrator, counselor, graphic designer, and much more. If you search your life for the things that are easy for you, there's a good chance you’ll discover one of your God-given gifts.
To be gifted is to have an exceptional talent or natural ability. According to the living word, the Bible, each of us has been given gifts. 1 Corinthians 7:7 tells us, “Each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that”. There are a variety of gifts. You are gifted - don’t doubt it.
Doubt corrupts our perception, making it difficult to see where we are gifted. If you’re like me, you may have doubted your gifts because of comparison. Comparison lies to us. It tells us to measure our gifts against one another. Comparison deceives us into believing that our gifts should manifest the way we’ve seen in others. Be reminded - God is sovereign, if we were meant to be carbon copies He would have designed us that way. Individuality in itself, is a gift from God. Embrace your differentness and be free from the bondage of comparison.
Gifts are freely given but as with everything given to us by God, our stewardship is pivotal to seeing its full manifestation. There is an exceedingly and more abundantly wrapped up in our God-given gifts. Accepting the fact that we are gifted is only the start. Our next responsibility is to hone our skills. Gifts are given, skills are learned. Some gifts require practice to become skillful. If we do not dedicate time and energy to the gifts, they will remain in seed form, forfeiting their opportunity to bloom.
If you’re a writer, write. If you're an administrator, administrate. If you’re a designer, design. The only way to advance is to move. The gift will only produce fruit if the seed is fed and nurtured. Exercise what you have been given as an act of faith and watch God do exactly what He intended - more than you could ask or think.
We’ve spent too much time convincing ourselves that we don’t have gifts, or that our gifts aren’t good enough. Each one of us is gifted. Each of our gifts has a purpose. Let’s stop wasting time - God has not and will not change His mind.
Romans 11:29 (AMP) - 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].
There is no return label on the gifts of God. He is not waiting for us to mess up so He can snatch the gifts back. That’s not the nature of the good God we serve. The sooner you embrace this truth, the sooner you’ll begin to see purpose manifest in ways you would never imagine.
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells a story of a rich man preparing to go on a journey. This man had 3 servants, to whom he distributed talents according to their abilities (I like to think about it as gold coins). The first received 5, the second 2, and the third received 1. When the rich man returned from his journey the first two servants gave back to him more than they had received - they doubled it. The last servant with the 1 talent did something different. He responded, “I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours”. The rich man was vexed. He called the servant wicked and lazy for wasting his time, talent, and treasure.
The story of the talents is a parable Jesus used to demonstrate the kingdom of heaven. It was meant to show us how to wait until our savior returns. While we wait we have been given tools - gifts and talents. When our master returns, like the servants who brought a return on the master's investment, we desire to hear well done. Our father desires that we use what we have been given and expects a return on his investment.
Let’s refuse to hide our gifts. Let’s refuse to allow fear, comparison, or laziness to choke our seeds and withhold the harvest owed to the Kingdom of Heaven. Even if we have to do it afraid first - even if we’re the first or one of many - even if it requires us to put in work - God will get glory from our bold obedient choice to walk in the gift.
Pray with me -
God, you are a good father who gives good gifts. Thank you for entrusting us with a piece of you. We repent for doubting your goodness towards us. Help us to boldly embrace what you have given us and see it as good. No longer will we cower behind the excuses of fear or comparison, but from now on we will fearlessly utilize each tool you’ve given us. We partner with you in stewarding the gifts. With faith, we work the gifts and trust you to bring a harvest to every seed you have planted in us.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thank you for the sweet reminder
beautifully said🌹