Day 32 – Using What God gave me

Day 32 – Using What God gave me

Since God has taken the time to form me and endowed me with gifts to do His work. I am expected to make the most of what He has given me, not to covet the abilities of others or try to be someone else, but instead to focus on my gifts. To serve God out of my SHAPE [Eph. 5 vs. 17- Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is]. To resolve to stay focused on finding out what god wants me to do for Him.

To enable me to do this I am required to examine myself:

Need to asses my gifts and abilities [Rom. 12 vs. 8 - if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully]. To do this, I can make a list of all the things I know / think I have the ability to do. Can also ask others for their honest opinions not their compliment. This is because spiritual gifts and abilities are always confirmed by others. Imagine for example, if someone thinks that they are born to be a leader, a simple test to find out if this is true, will be to look over their shoulder and find out if anyone is following them – if not one – duh – its doesn’t take a genius to tell them they are not. We need to experiment with different areas of service, because only when we are involved in serving will we be able to find out what we are good at.

Need to consider my heart (i.e. passion) and my personality [Gal. 6 vs. 4]. Under this form of assessment I need to find out what it is I enjoy doing. For example, do I like routine or variety; or do I prefer to work in a team or by myself. Am I introverted or extroverted. Am I a thinker or a feeler? Do I enjoy competing or cooperating?

I also Need to examine my experiences and extract lessons from them. I have learned through the book of Deuteronomy 18 vs. 2 - They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them; that forgotten experiences are worthless [Gal. 3vs. 4]. Only in hindsight will I be able to understand God’s intended purpose for the experiences that I have gone through [John 13 vs. 7].

So since God knows what’s best for me, I need only accept His decisions [Rom. 9 vs. 20 – 21 - But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this”? Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use]. Not to resent or reject the gifts He has given me, or how He has created me. So instead of trying to be someone else I’m not, I need to celebrate my “shape” [Eph. 4 vs. 7 – But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it]; and recognise my limitations. As I am not created to be good at everything [Gal. 2 vs. 7 – 8; 2 Corith.10 vs. 13]. To stay focused on the race God has given me to run [Heb. 12 vs. 1; Gal 6 vs. 4]; and not to compare myself with others, as this will affect my walk [2 Corinth. 10 vs. 12];

Lessons learnt on day 32

God expects me to make the most of what He has given us. To cultivate my gifts and abilities, to keep my heart aflame, to grow my character and personality and broaden my experiences, so that I am able to increasingly become more effective in my service to Him [Philip. 1 vs. 9; 2Tim 1 vs. 6]. To use my talents or run the risk of loosing them [Matt. 25 vs. 28; 1 Tim. 4 vs. 14–15; 2 Tim. 2 vs.15; 1 Corith.9 vs.25]. To practice to do our best.