This is a fun follow-up to this week’s blog. Please make sure to see both!
How Will You Use Your Gifts in 2013?
We had a party Thursday night for the elders and managers at our church and we were all instructed to bring along a white elephant gift to share. I know that when our pastor, Chris, and his wife, Leigh, brought their gift to share they were relieved to get that eyesore out of the house once and for all! Jim was the lucky recipient of their treasure. You know what they say–one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! The fact is they just didn’t realize what they had!
- For instance, it has been great for taking our Christmas movies and music on the run!
I know that when Pastor Chris and Leigh read this blog they will be looking for excuses to get their white elephant gift back. They really had something with this gadget but had no idea of the treasure they possessed! OK. I’m teasing.
During the Christmas season we think about gifts a lot. As we celebrate Jesus’s birth we are foremost reminded about the free Gift of salvation that we received as a result of Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins. Then once we ask for forgiveness and accept Jesus as our Savior, we find that we are gifted again. The Bible mentions our spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV). It says: There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
There are those who may not recognize the gift they have been given. Nor do they see the value in their gifts or take the time to explore ways to use them as they should. They view them as a white elephant gift rather than the valuable tool they’ve been given. They might even pray for a different gift thinking theirs is not good enough and is not useful. It might actually take someone else to recognize the value in their gift before they see it as it is themselves.
Do you know how God has gifted you? Are you using your gifts to their fullest? Does your gift feel like a white elephant to you? Take time this month to ask God to show you how to best use your gifts for Him. The scripture says that He distributes the gifts to each one individually as He wills. That wording alone tells me that He has a purpose for giving us the gifts we have. He doesn’t want us to see them as white elephant gifts; rather, He wants us to use them for Him and for the Body of Christ. Maybe we simply need to stop and pray that we can see our gifts through God’s eyes to find the treasure and recognize the reason that He has given us the gifts that He did.
So as you reflect on what I have said this week remember Jim’s white elephant gift. Be reminded that even though it may appear useless or insignificant, if God is in it, it holds great power and gives purpose to those who believe. Turn what you thought was trash into a treasure this upcoming year. Just as Jesus gave His life as a free gift to us I pray that we too will offer ourselves to Him as His gift in the days to come. Paul gives us great direction in Romans 2 about just that. He says: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
You see. One gift is not better than the other. However, if the value of your gift is not obvious, you may need to seek wisdom from other Christians and pray asking for God’s divine direction. For when we are obedient and use the gifts we have been given, we are blessed. God doesn’t hand out white elephant gifts; rather all of His gifts are something to treasure! Enjoy your week and don’t forget…go be a blessing!
Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This…
Today I am heading to Wooster, Ohio to share my testimony at the Stonecroft After Five group. It seems like the few days leading up to when I speak are always difficult. Typically my back starts giving me fits. Then there is always a little chaos thrown into the mix of some sort whether it is mine or someone’s I love. This time some depression is edging its way in as I am still grieving the loss of my brother in October. To ride in the car today for over seven hours with my back the way it is I have a good reason to call and cancel. One might question if I’ll be able to walk by the time I get home tonight. Mama said there’d be days like this.
However, I find that just like anything else in life serving the Lord will have its obstacles. There will be roadblocks in my way at times and frustrations to the point I want to just give up. Fortunately I know where all of the trials and struggles are coming from and it’s not from God. I have never been disappointed when I pushed through and served God despite the storms raging around me. For instance, the small group of single women I lead during the years I was going through my divorce and doing the single mom thing was one of the biggest blessings I’ve had in my life. It was also during the most horrific time of my life. If I would have allowed my sorrows, tiredness and depression to overtake me at that time I know the huge joy I would have missed had I not been obedient and served.
There are some who choose to sit back and give up before they even try. I’m sure you know who they are in your life as they are the ones who are always blaming everyone else for their shortcomings. They enjoy having a little pain in their lives so they can wallow around in it saying, “Woe is me!” You know who I’m talking about don’t you? Are you one that is going to let a little thing like back pain or chaos to stop you in your tracks? I’m not trying to minimize pain and its debilitating powers. I’ve been there and got the t-shirt. However, pain or no pain…sickness or not…we can all be useful in serving God. It may not be driving seven hours to go speak. However, it might be dropping a note of encouragement to a friend or saying a prayer for someone you know needs it. It’s a choice we all make how we will spend our days. The last time I checked God was not making my decisions for me, nor was my husband or anyone else in my life. We are all given the freedom to choose if we will have victory or defeat every day when our feet hit the floor. As Christians, we are all on an even playing field with the same Holy Spirit ready and able to give us guidance and power for our lives. It’s just merely up to us to make the decision as to who’s driving…us or Him?
So today I will be found starting my day at the chiropractor followed by singing praise and worship songs all the way to Wooster. I know God is calling me to speak and tell other women that they too can press on through life’s muck and find the beauty in a life of serving God no matter what chaos rages around them. Will there be hard times? Yes. Will we feel like not doing it sometimes? Yes. Will chaos spin around us as we try to stay on the narrow path? Yes. Will we be blessed for our perseverance? YES!!
Life is what you make it. The choices are yours. How will you make your life count for today?
P.S. By the way, please remind me of this blog post the next time you hear me say I’m not doing something I should be because I am too tired or in too much pain. I’m only human. Mama said there would be days like this…as my friend Cyndy says, “Unfortunately Mama was right.” Be blessed and remember…get out there and be a blessing!
James 1:2-4 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Lori Kempton, Author/Speaker 