Happy Sabbath Everyone!
It is now the second Sabbath of January 2024. God has granted us a new year to be together as a church family. Praise His Name! I have been asking the Lord, Am I using my gifts to glorify Him? Am I really using my gifts as God intended? He reminded me of the Scripture passage (Romans 12:4-8. KJV): “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So, we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
I was then directed to a book in my library, “Words of Spiritual Encouragement and Inspiration” by Positivity Inspires, that has blessed my heart. I would like to share an excerpt with you. The writer stated:
Use Your Gifts
The Lord has planted something in you. You have a gift; in fact, you likely have multiple gifts. But are you using them? Many of us are afraid to do so for various reasons, including fear of ridicule, fear of failure, insecurities, and so on. Below are some words that I pray will help anyone who is struggling with this.
Do It the Way God Gives It to You
Sometimes, we focus too much on what others are doing and fail to position ourselves to be used the way God intended. You may not be able to sing like “her,” but sing it the way God gives it to you. He gave you a unique style. Your vocabulary may not be as large as “his” is, but say it the way the Lord tells you. It may be the same message but a different delivery method to reach a particular audience.
Don’t Know What Your Gifts Are Yet? No Problem!
If you don’t know what your gifts are as of now, ask the Lord to reveal them to you. (Please note in the month of April, we will have a series called EQUIP, where you will experience the four steps to service: Hearing God’s call to service, learning about spiritual gifts and discovering one’s own gifts, finding places of service, and committing to step forward in ministry for Christ. More details to follow.) Continue to seek the Lord and support other ministries as God leads you.
Don’t Allow Negative Criticism to Discourage You
You will meet with opposition, but trust God to direct and guide you. Understand that not everyone will be supportive, but the Lord will send the right people into your life to help you.
Remember Your Purpose
If you don’t remember anything else, please remember this: we were created by the Lord for a purpose. Ultimately, our purpose is to love and help others while sharing the Gospel message with as many souls as possible. The Lord will equip (has equipped) us with exactly the tools needed to accomplish this. If you stay in God’s will and do things the way He wants them to, then you will succeed.
God Can Use Anyone
Many people forget that God just desires a submissive and obedient vessel. This means that regardless of people’s past, age, social status, education, gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, and so on, the Lord can use them if they submit to and obey Him. May God help us to use our Gifts this year to glorify Him. (Inspires, Positivity. Words of Spiritual Encouragement and Inspiration: Volume 1 (p. 23). Positivity Inspires, LLC. Kindle Edition.)