Gifts to USE

Series: Receive a Gift

Romans 12:6a ESV

Realistically if we had a child or even a spouse who was a genius mathematician but refused to use that genius to solve math problems we would be really frustrated.

If someone could play the piano like Rachmaninoff but refused to touch a piano we would be furious.

If someone could heal others but refused to touch those who were ill we would be dumbfounded.

The truth is, when people are gifted but they refuse to use their gift for one reason or another it simply makes no sense.   

Romans 12:6a tells us, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”

The point is, use what God has given.

Even if the gift is not the gift you wanted, use it.

Even if your gift is not a gift others would deem as important, use it. I believe every person has been given a gift unique to them and the world we live in.

Allow me to explain. Even when I was small (very small) I’ve had the gift of laughter. I can find the silliest of things or even very serious things to laugh about.

I make up silly cartoons in my head.

They make ME laugh.

They probably wouldn’t make others laugh, but I figure that’s their problem. When I was in Seminary and we studied the chemicals of dopamine and serotonin and what happens in our brain I started to understand the importance of my silliness.

I came to realize even if others don’t laugh at my silliness, if they shake their head and smile some dopamine and serotonin ‘escaped’’ into their brain.

We need comedians to remind us we are human.

On the flip side if we do not strive to use our gifts in the world others will miss out on the benefit of our gift. Even if we think our gift is ‘not important’, it may be the very thing people in our world need in order to thrive.

Not using your gift will have a great impact on you as well.

Think of it this way…if one day you decide you don’t want to walk very much. You don’t live alone and you know others you live with will bring you what you need to eat and drink.

You sit and you only use the muscles in your legs to go to the restroom. You won’t notice a difference immediately but after a while your legs will grow weaker and weaker.

The term, “use it or lose it” very much applies.

And so it goes with your gifts and your spiritual gifts as well.

If you stop using your gifts (say when you retire) you will eventually forget how to use the gifts God gave you.

Living in a community where other seniors live reminds me daily there are those who still actively utilize their gifts and there are those who stopped trying to use their gifts. The difference becomes apparent in time.

Ergo…no matter your age or your situation in life you need to ask God daily to show you how to use your gifts. When you use your gifts it glorified God.

Ask and wait for God to show you the way!

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com