Romans 12:6-8 NLT
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
“In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.”
There is one thing that I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. I would judge others by their abilities to do the things that I could do well. And I would judge myself based on what others could do well that I could not.
Doing this was an internal dialog that would take place, but I know it put a wedge in my relationship with others over that period.
What I have come to realize is that God gives people different strengths and abilities. And this design is meant to be appreciated, not looked at with disdain.
In hindsight, I never would give myself credit for the things I knew how to do with ease because it was easy for me. But in the eyes of others, they were amazed at the skills I had in these areas.
And when I would look at others in amazement at what they could do, I would beat myself up for not being able to do it as well as they could.
This design by God is brilliant, and I believe if we can come to this realization and start to organize our resources in a manner that allows people to work in their area of strength and competence, we can achieve great things.
Here’s what happens when we work in our area of strength:
1. We have energy in abundance. My mind is fully alive when I am working on a project that is fully utilizing my strengths. I tap into a creative and troubleshooting mode that is challenging and exciting.
2. I lose track of time. When I am engaged in my area of strength, I don’t look at the clock. I used to start something at 9 AM, and the next time I looked at the clock, it was 2 AM.
I recall from this that I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t bored, I felt useful, and it felt right.
In the times we find ourselves in, it will be essential to start focusing on these strengths. It is going to vital that we leverage these strengths to help as many people as we can.
Our economy is changing; things will be tight, and we will have to get things done with fewer resources.
Doing this will take faith in God and start fully utilizing the God-given strengths that we have to the service of those around us.
We will also have to encourage those around us to find their strength and help them find ways to be of service to others.
There are going to be some challenges ahead of us as we start to open up the country from the Covid-19 virus; it is time that we begin to look at our strengths, realize that God has given them to us to use for the service of others, organize our time in a way that fully utilizes that talent and get busy serving.
Heavenly Father, Have mercy on us. Please clarify to us the strength that we have, and guide us to the place that our talents will best glorify You.
I pray that You continue to work in my heart while increasing my desire to know You better every day through Your Word.
Thank You for the opportunity to serve those around me; please give me the willingness to do it with unfailing love.
I pray this, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!! 🙏❤️
