Using our gifts
This past week was my birthday and I’m not too old to be excited about gifts! I received a photo album from a dear friend who compiled pictures of my family from the 35 years of our friendship. I will treasure this gift of love forever.
I love to read, so a gift card to a book store is another present that will bring me much joy.
And…I got a wheelbarrow.
I’m really excited about my wheelbarrow. More excited than I would be about jewelry or new clothes. I use this handy-dandy piece of equipment for hauling hay, mulch, and weeds. Several months ago I broke one of the handles of my old wheelbarrow. I wrote about the struggles of adapting to change in this March blog.
But now I have the gift of a new wheelbarrow. Since nature or everyday chores often teach me lessons, I examined this aspect of giving in terms of God’s gifts to us. Of course, I know we are granted infinite blessing from our Lord. But…
How do we use the gifts God has granted us?
I’m not speaking of material blessings, such as our home, car, or financial stability.
Nor am I referring to our families, careers, or the blessing of good health.
I’m talking about the abilities God has given us to serve Him.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
My wheelbarrow enables me to take care of my horses, keep my yard beautiful, and ease the burden of carrying heavy loads.
The gifts God granted me allow me to use my abilities to care for others, spread the beauty of God’s love to my neighbors, and, whenever possible, to ease the load others carry. How can I do this? What gifts has God given me that help others? I am blessed to be able to:
- Recognize when there is a need.
- Develop a strategy to meet these needs.
- Plan and organize–lead others to work together to accomplish goals.
- Encourage and build up others as they learn to spread their wings and take on new responsibilities.
- Be a good teacher and mentor.
But, I also have many weaknesses when it comes to working with others:
- I don’t always delegate as I should.
- I take on too many tasks.
- I like things done a certain way.
- I often prefer to work alone.
- I’m a perfectionist (this can be both a strength and weakness).
Perhaps these characteristics explain why my wheelbarrow and I work so well together.
“I’m a “do it myself” kind of person. But, that’s when I need to recognize that we are stronger together than alone. My strengths are limited. Others will be stronger where I am weak.
We all have gifts!
We all have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8
I have a challenge for you…
List at least three gifts God has granted you.
Consider how you are using those gifts to serve others.
Who can you work with to make a stronger team for service?
How can that person help balance your weaknesses?
Please share your thoughts. What encourages you to serve others? Can you share some suggestions which help others become involved? How can we encourage others to use their gifts in service? How can we be good role models?
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
Amen! It’s when we each use our strengths together to achieve God’s plan that we can accomplish so much more for the kingdom. What always amazes me is how God can bring different people with different talents and gifts together to achieve His goals.
It’s all part of God’s plan, I think, that we ALL work together to achieve His goals. The problem, of course, is when we (I’m guilty) decide to go our own way, thus getting off the blueprint of God’s plan and focusing on our own–usually with disastrous results. I’m so grateful that friends, family, and my church family, bring strength to my weaknesses.
That is one sharp wheelbarrow!
This post resonates with me so much — we share some of the same weaknesses. Another weakness I have is not using my gifts to serve others as fully and often as I should:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” ouch!
Yes, I think my wheelbarrow is “sharp,” too! And it works really well! I often feel that I don’t serve others enough or as well as I should, but I wonder if that isn’t an attack by the enemy to make us feel insecure in our faith. Perhaps the devil is causing us to feel inferior in our service to weaken our trust in God. Something to think about for those of us who are overachievers?
I definitely struggle with over committing and trying to do too much. Over the years, I feel I’ve made progress in that area, but still have a ways to go. I pray that God gives me discernment to know which areas He has laid out beforehand for me to bless others, and when I’m stealing opportunities from others.
Love your prayer, Joanna! I prayed it for myself and for all those reading this message. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Katherine.
This article is so helpful to me right now. I’m praying over how much I can take on as I navigate health issues that hamper my desire to “do” and serve. God has given me a heart of mercy and I so want to be actively involved in ways that I’m not sure I’m meant to be right now. Even when I felt well, I tended to put too much in my personal wheelbarrow.
You’ve given me a lot to ponder.
Thank you!
Blessings,
Tammy
I am praying for you, Tammy. I am like you, in that I fill my personal wheelbarrow too full. I think that God sometimes allows that to happen so that we will seek Him when we are overwhelmed. Of course we are called to serve Him, but He also expects us to protect our health. We are the Temple for the Holy Spirit and that dwelling place should be as healthy as we can be.
Happy belated birthday, Katherine! What thoughtful gifts you received, and the wheelbarrow is beautiful, indeed. Thank you for your insights about using our gifts for others and the practical ways to do that. I, like you, like to go it alone, but you’re right we can often serve others better when we team up with others whose gifts may complement our own.
Thank you for the birthday wishes, Kathy. Those of us who tend to be more solitary in our service to others need encouragement to band together with brothers and sisters in Christ, in service to Him and His people. We are stronger together! I pray we can be encouragers.