Sometimes I wonder if I am using everything God has given me correctly.
I know I’m not always 100% faithful with every dime that comes through my fingers [But I do love a deal!]. At times I get lazy with the laundry [Mt.Neverends]. And I’ve been guilty as anyone about letting time get away from me during the day [some days though, there just aren’t enough hours in the day].
But what I’m really thinking about today, are the things this verse is talking about:
“Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!” -1 Corinthians 12:4
-Each person
-Everyone gets in on it
-Everyone benefits
There is a song that says the words:
Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours.
As followers of Christ, I don’t believe we can say those words enough. And I also believe that there are so many people walking around with gifts -amazing gifts- that God has blessed them with who haven’t ever tapped into them.
I bet this breaks Gods heart.
Because according to this verse, he has given everyone…something…that shows who God is.
And this verse is not talking about the evangelists on TV.
It is talking about everyday people like you and I.
One time someone said to me, “I could never go to your church because I couldn’t use my gifts there.”
While I understood what this person was saying, this morning I can’t help but think how off we are to think that church is the only place to use our gifts.
I’m also thinking this type of mind-set breaks Gods heart too.
According to this verse, the gifts God gives us that make us unique, special, set-apart, and different are the things God gives to show the world…who HE is. Not who WE are.
In order to advance the movement of God on this earth we have got to take our gifts to the streets…not just to the walls of the Church.
-Do you have the gift of encouragement? Use it beyond the walls of the Church.
-Do you have the gift of teaching? Use it beyond the walls of the Church.
-Do you have the gift mercy? Use it WAY beyond the walls of the Church…there is a hurting world out there.
The list goes on and on.
God does not give us gifts to make us better people. He gives us gifts to show the world glimpses of who he is.
Do we mess this up all the time?
Yes.
Our flesh is weak and we are in a constant battle between spirit and flesh. Pride is our greatest enemy when it comes to our gifts and talents that God has given us. Because pride wants us to keep the attention on us…right in the midst of the Church.
Satan loves for us to have that skewed perception of gifts.
So am I using everything God has given me correctly?
Honestly, no. But I’m challenged and motivated today to start thinking beyond my own little world.
Show me Lord how to use what I’ve got correctly.
