"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created." James 1:17
“Well at least he runs fast”. This was the comment that came out of Julie’s mouth regarding my son Samuel. You see at the age of 5, Sam was long time buddies with Julie’s son David. Although Sam was three months older than David, David was three times Sam’s size. It was sometimes a source of anxiety for Sam and a point of boasting for David. Sam and I often discussed his size. We both came to the conclusion that he needed to be the size he was to walk in the good works the Lord had for him to do. This truth was always (and still is) a source of comfort and joy. Until one day, this truth just didn’t seem to be a comfort to Sam. As we were discussing his size, he looked at me and said “well at least I can run fast”. I realized that it bothered him more than he was letting on. I said a quick prayer for wisdom and proceeded to ask him a question. “Sam”, I said, “if you were running today and fell and broke your leg and could never ever run again, if you were no longer Sammy the fast runner, who are you?” He looked up at me in all sincerity with his huge green eyes (his eyes were about the only “huge” thing about him) and said, “I don’t know”.
Do you see my point? We all have talents or skills but they do not and cannot define us. What define us are the gifts, the spiritual gifts God makes available to us. The talents and the skills are the means to which the spiritual and lasting gifts are displayed in and through us. The Apostle Paul talks about this in Corinthians."There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestations of the Spirit are given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit and he gives them to each one, just as he determines" (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) He is the gift giver. These are the gifts that last and affect others for the sake of God’s kingdom in Heaven and here on Earth. We all have these gifts available to us. I believe God's word tells us that all we have to do is ask for these gifts. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11 &12) What gifts are available through the Holy Spirit? Some of them can be found in Galatians 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited provoking and envying each other.”
In light of God’s truth let’s take another look at Samuel’s talent as a runner. When I consider his spiritual gifts, I see in him the gift of faith, abounding love, kindness, discernment, and wisdom. These gifts are two-fold in nature. God has given them to Sam so that he can give them to others. His talent and ability to run fast takes him to places (no pun intended) and lands him on various teams so that the Lord can use his spiritual gifts to reach and touch those around him. Do you ever concentrated so hard on the “what you do” that you lose sight of the “who you are”? I often remind myself and my children of a quote by Dr. Bob Barnes. He puts it this way, “As long as I know whose I am, I will know who I am”.
Think about your own children. What are some of their talents? What spiritual gifts do they have? Now marry the two in your conversations with them. Teach them that the talent(s) are the vehicle that brings them to the places God wants them to be to use the spiritual gifts in and through them for His glory alone! Be encouraged, your child was made for God’s greatness. I urge you, godly mother, do not let your child’s talents define them. Ask God for the gift of wisdom. Then use your mothering talent to teach them about the eternal spiritual gifts told us in God’s word. "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant." (1 Corinthians 12:1). God offers us the eternal gifts, beginning with Jesus Christ, which defines who we are, gives us purpose, and makes, us useful through our God given talents. Apart from Him we can do nothing; nothing of value and certainly nothing that lasts.
Samuel is now 16 years old, still small amongst his peers and still running really fast. However, he knows that it does not define him. What defines him is how he uses his spiritual gifts and talents where ever they take him, not just the ball fields, to Love God and love others…after all, Jesus said that is all that really matters.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these member do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the other. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportions to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:3-8
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10 & 1
Thank you for reading today’s blog. My prayer for you is that anything I’ve written above that is of my pride or opinions would be erased and only HIS truth would resound within your brain and heart! May you sense the Lord’s pleasure as you seek to know and love him and live a life reflecting you do!
Amy, this was a beautifully written post. It spoke to me deeply both as a mom and as an adult still striving to use the gifts and talents He has given to His glory. I hope to see more guest blogs from you. =)
ReplyDelete