One of the more frequent comments I hear is “I don’t have any special gifts or talents.” People often feel like they don’t have much to offer if the gift or talent is not something big. I’m sure you know how that goes: “I can’t do what so-and-so does, so what do I have to offer?” The comparison game is an unwinnable game to play or at least it seems to go on forever like Monopoly or Risk or some other seemingly forever game. We will never measure up (in our eyes) to that other person.
The Bible tells us that God has given each of us a gift or gifts to use to build up the Body of Christ, the church. Some of those gifts stand out; some are behind the scenes. Just FYI: a gift and a talent are different. A talent is something the seemingly comes fairly natural or can be developed, whereas a gift is something given by God to be used for a specific reason. But whether we are talking gift or talent it is to be used not kept to oneself.
I was struck by this as I read Exodus 36-38. Yes, it was sort of tedious because it involved the building of the Tabernacle and furniture for the Tabernacle according to God’s design. But what struck me were the opening words to chapter 36: “The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded. So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work.” (Verses 1-2)
I’d like to echo Paul David Tripp (January 30 from Everyday Gospel Devotional) as he makes two important points:
- We are told that God put skill in these men’s minds. What an incredible statement of the power and presence of God.
- It tells us that God not only gives gifts, but stirs up our hearts to use the gifts He has given.
Those two thoughts tell us that we have been given our creative ability by God, and two, we need to be thankful for the One who gave them. They have been given to us for a reason. Use them. Don’t hoard them.
{Note Scripture used is from the New Living Translation}
Today is Jo’s birthday. It would be bad form to tell you what number. 🙂 I am taking her to Ohio to see our grandson (and our daughter). 🙂 Please feel free to post a comment. I will approve it when I have a chance to do so. And please pray for a safe trip. We are both driving there and giving Jo’s car as an early graduation present to our grandson. It is an 8 year old car with 42k miles on it. It should serve him well as he graduates and heads off to college (which I am not allowed to reveal yet).
We just talked about this in our retirees group on Monday. As we have more time to serve now, we are all searching for where God wants us to use the gifts and graces He has given us.
Happy Birthday, Jo! Praying you both have a safe trip and enjoy good weather all the way!
Retire? Who can retire from serving Jesus? 🙂 Glad you are confronting this head on Pam. And thanks for the prayers.
Happy Birthday Jo, also praying for a safe trip! In regards to gifts, I am reminded of the parable of the talents as well. If we are faithful in putting to use what God has given to us, He may provide other opportunities previously we were unaware of.
I’ll tell her you said something Ryan. and I agree on the parable.
Happy Birthday, Jo! May you both enjoy safe travels and enjoy being with your family. Blessings to you both!
Thanks (a day late). We arrived safely and had a good time last night
What a gift those guys had to build everything in the sanctuary, with such precision. Any spiritual gift that God gifts us with, is going to be something we enjoy doing, every talent and gift can be used somewhere in the church body. Some gifts are meant for you to join others in and be a part of a bigger group.
Praying for safe travels for you and Jo today, and happy birthday Jo.
Agreed Gail. They enjoyed sharing their gift, not begrudging it. We arrived safely and she had a good time last night
Happy Birthday, Jo! Sorry, Bill, but I thought I left a comment here yesterday. What happened? Blessings to you and to Jo!
You did. I didn’t get to it until Friday. It’s there now. Thx for checking back