Gifts From The Father
Southaven, Ms
By: Mike Upchurch
In your beginning, the Lord gave you life. And He equipped you with a few tools you’d need later on in that life. Maybe He installed some talents, a dose of common sense, perhaps a tad of wisdom, hopefully He gave you fairly decent looks, and then topped you off with the necessary strength to survive.
So in other words, the Lord did His part. He gave you what you’d need to make it to the degree you have. He equipped you for life. Perhaps you are like me and you’re not the smartest, the best looking, the strongest, the best at what you do, but you’re able to get by with how He gifted you. He’s the Gifter, and you’re the giftee of whatever He chose for you, and as a reminder, He DOES know what He is doing.
So that said, I must ask the question;
What have you done with His gifts to you?
Have you made Him proud with the tools you have? Have you given back to Him? I’m not talking about money….I mean, have you given the gifts He gave you back to Him? Are you serving Him with the talents He gave you? If not, you’ve short changed Him.
Let’s say that you would like a new shed built in your backyard. So you buy your son or son-in-law all the lumber and all the power tools he would need to build you the shed. But then they never show up, and instead they build other people things with the tools and lumber you bought them. Imagine your emotions. Wouldn’t you feel slighted and upset? Is it any different for the Lord? If you’re using His gifts to bless the world rather than His Kingdom wouldn’t you expect Him to at least be disappointed?
Certainly some of what the Lord has gifted you with has allowed you to provide for yourself and your Family and that was His intent. He has equipped you with the ability to be self sufficient. But then there may be excess gifts as well. Spill over talents enabling you to do the things in the Kingdom that not every one else can do. Perhaps you can sing. Or maybe you play an instrument. Maybe your talent is writing poetry. Or maybe you can write a column such as this (and I’m certain in a better way). Perhaps you’re really patient with children and you can teach. Are you good with administrative duties? Are you a leader? Do you have athletic ability and can coach?
Or maybe you don’t consider yourself having any talents, but perhaps you have a compassionate heart; you could be good at visiting people who may be afflicted in some way. Perhaps you are blessed with finances and can support ministries that you’re drawn to. There are so many places where you could park what God has given you. Whatever need you currently see in your Church might be an area you could step up and serve in. Whenever you see things you think could be improved, it just might be the Lord stirring YOUR heart to do it!
Think about what you could do to serve Him with the talents He gave you. Give back to Him. It will be your way of thanking Him for what He’s done. You’ll be surprised at what a Heavenly Father will do to show appreciation. And you’ll be surprised how good you can feel about yourself! Remember, your life is not your own anyway if you’re a Christian. Read Paul’s confession and let it be yours as well…..
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”Galatians 2:20
Give Him back your gifts and talents and give Him your time! The Church needs you! Trust me you’ll never regret it!
And that’s the way I see it!
Pastor Mike
