Yes, You Have A Gift!

I remember your true faith. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I know you now have that same faith. This is why I remind you to keep using the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. Now let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire. 

2 Timothy 1:5-6

 

 Believe it or not, each of us has been gifted in some way.  True, some gifts are more obvious (singing, instrument playing, drawing, painting, and the like), but each of us has been given gifts that we are expected to use.    You see, God put each of us on this Earth on purpose and for a reason, and we have been given gifts and talents that we are to use.

 

I cannot count the number of times I have heard, and said, "I wish I had a talent."  We are fooled when the deceiver whispers in our ears that we have not gifts; that we have no talents; that we have nothing that could help others that would make a difference.  The TRUTH of the matter is that, although some talents and gifts are easily spotted, there are some we may not even consider to be gifts and talents.  

 

For example: 

     *    you have this uncanny ability to remain calm in the most stressful of situations, that's a gift. 

     *     you have compassion for the suffering of others, that's a gift!

     *     you feel comfortable speaking in front of groups, that's a talent.

     *     you have a knack for cooking for the purpose of sharing with others, that's a talent.

     *     you are able to sit quietly and listen while someone else pours out all that is on their mind and heart, that is a gift.

 

We can see the talents and gifts in others, but we often don't recognize them in ourselves.

 

Max Lucado, one of my favorite writers, explained it this way: "God doesn't judge you according to the talents of others. He judges according to yours.  His measuring stick for faithfulness is how faithful you are with your own gifts and talents.  You are NOT responsible for the nature of your gift or talent.  But you ARE responsible for how you use it."

 

How will you use your gifts and talents today?