TWILY Ministries | Love Notes | April 2008
Gifted for His Glory
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few days ago, my friend stopped by to pick up her
favorite CD; she’d
forgotten it the last time she visited. Grabbing the CD from the table, she
laughingly said, "One thing about it, Joyce, I don't have to worry about
leaving anything over here. I KNOW it will be in the same spot when I get back!
I laughed and said, "That's true, girl. It may be a little dusty, but otherwise
safe and sound."
It was funny, at first. Later, though, it made
me think about something else. I thought about all of the gifts the Lord has left
in our care, not for safekeeping, mind you, but for helping to build His
kingdom. However, instead of using these gifts, many people simply leave them
lying around; gathering
dust. Now, that’s okay when we're talking about a friend’s property,
but it is not okay when it comes to our Master's property. See, He didn't leave
His resources with us by mistake. He left them at our places on purpose. David
understood this when he said:
13 For You
created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise
You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I
click Save or Cancel below. Change Permissions know that full well. 15 My frame
was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven
together in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139: 13-15
NIV
As you can see, then, God purposely gave us the gifts we have. He
knows exactly what they are and they are for His glory! It is time to use them,
and there are several good reasons for doing so. One of the main reasons is
emphasized in the Parable of the Talents
(Matthew 25:14-30).
Basically,
that parable deals with faithfulness in
stewardship. If you
remember (and if not, please read it),
each servant was called to give an account to his master for the resources he
had entrusted to their care. That same accounting process, is true of any servant-master type relationship. As servants of the
Lord, then, we will be held accountable for the resources He has
entrusted to our care. Unlike my
friend, though, He won't be too happy if He finds them in the same spot! No, He rather see
that we have moved
them around by helping to: prepare others for ministry,
edify the body
of Christ, and lead others to His kingdom! This pleases Him. Not
only that, when we serve - using our gifts, we become fulfilled and
Why? Primarily, because we are finally doing things that we were
designed to do. As the saying goes, we are finally in our lanes.
Many people
are very successful, by the world's standards. Yet,
if you ask some of them, they will tell you that they are not really fulfilled
in their work. They feel out of place, and why wouldn't they, when
many of them are simply in the wrong lane! Working
their hearts out, they never get to tap into their God-given talents. I read a
testimony of a woman who had worked very hard putting herself through law
school, and she had become quite successful in that field. More and more,
however, she dreaded going to work. She knew years earlier - that practicing law was not her true passion,
but she decided to pursue it to please her parents. Her true passion was
styling hair, and after all this time, she still longed to do that type of
work. At first, she worried about what
people would think, but after seeking the Lord for direction, she soon
turned in her case load and opened an Upscale Hair Salon. Today, she is fulfilled
as she works. She is now able to use her spiritual
gift of Exhortation, while helping others feel better about themselves. She
witnesses to people she may have never met before! Saints, there are many
testimonies of this type, whereby someone has given up a successful job or
career to pursue their true callings.
It doesn't always take a job
change, though, just an opportunity to
use our gifts where we are. For instance, I had been working a pretty nice
job, but truthfully, I was miserable grateful, but miserable! Although it was
technically challenging, it didn’t call for any of my true passions, gifts,
etc. I really felt
out of place, being nowhere near my lane! One day, however, a person of the Hindu faith came to my desk and asked me a question
about Christianity. I
never will forget it! He wanted to know Why Good Friday is called
Good, when what took place was so bad? Suddenly, my misery turned to joy! On that day, I was able to help someone
understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I
tell you that was one fulfilling day on the job - no previous day like it!
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ere is one final thing about using our gifts and
talents. When we use our gifts for God's glory, we impact the lives of others, and
you never know, "one single impact, may
help prepare someone for life - not only
their eternal life, but life here on earth! Sherry, our team coordinator,
shared a testimony to this very point. Over the years, she has taken care of
many children both at school and in her home. She loves to sew even uses it in ministry and while doing
so, one of the little girls, who was around five at the time, would come
around to watch. Now, some people would have sent her away to watch cartoons or something,
so they could continue enjoying their work in peace. Instead of doing that,
though, Sherry began to teach the child how to sew. Eventually, outgrowing
Sherry's program, she went on her way, never losing her interest in sewing. She
continued taking sewing classes, and has become quite good at it. In fact, she
is really good at it! Her mother recently called Sherry to invite her to a
Fashion Design Show featuring who else
her daughter! Because of the impact Sherry had on a little girl’s life, years
ago, today, a young woman, has found her career of choice. Praise God! Truly,
He is able to use everything that He has put inside of us! Therefore, whatever
your gifts and abilities are teaching, preaching, singing, baking, sewing, styling, etc., dust them off, and start using them for the Glory of
God.
In
last month's Love Note, I talked about "waiting", but I
want to point out that, waiting" does not mean doing nothing. It means going about our assigned
tasks, confident that God will provide the meaning and the conclusions. As one of my teachers said during a sermon, Even when we are
not exactly sure where to go, pray and start going! As we make the attempt to obey, the Holy Spirit
will guide us. With all of these reasons before us: accountability, fulfillment
in serving, and impact on others,
we can delay no longer! We all want to hear Him say, Well
done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21-23 NIV).
PRAYER: Father, thank You for
saving us and giving us gifts to help build Your Kingdom. For those who may be
unsure of what their gifts are, may they come to You for clarity. For those who
have already discovered their gifts, please grant strength and boldness to use
them. Help us all to understand that now is the time. Empower us with Your
Spirit, enabling us to use these resources for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.
Sincerely,
Joyce
© Joyce
Bailey April 2008 Use by
permission