What are your talents? What are your skills? What are your abilities? Have you taken time to assess them? Have you determined how you will use them? Are you allowing some of your talents, skills, and abilities to go unused? Do you know each of them are gift?
We all have talents, skills, and abilities, whether we think we do or not. We may acknowledge them. We may believe ours are not as good as others. We may even be jealous of the talents, skills, and abilities others have. We may long to have different gifts.
When we are not satisfied with the talents, skills, and abilities we have been given, we grumble against God. More specifically, we grumble against the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts as he chooses (1 Corinthians 12:11). He grants these gifts for a reason, for a purpose. Each person receives gifts to be used to carry out God’s plan. Therefore, when we moan and groan about not having the gifts that others have, we grumble against the Holy Spirit.
In the same way, when we do not use our gifts, we are being rebellious children. Each gift is given to be used to accomplish God’s plan. Not using our gift for the purpose it was given is being disobedient. What are we to do?
The key to being obedient to God is opening our eyes, seeing the gifts he has given us, and being willing to use them for his purpose. We are given different gifts, but we all serve the same Lord. It is the same God who has decided to distribute gifts as he sees fit. We should accept his gifts and put them to good use.
I pray we all assess our talents, skills, and abilities. I pray we are thankful for the gifts we have received. I pray each one of us will use our gifts for the purpose God gave them to us. Know your talents. Know your skills. Know your abilities. Use them according to God’s plan. Use them for God’s purpose.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
Marty Pressey 