“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10

I absolutely love music, and I love to hear people sing. I love the piano. A young lady at our church plays the harp, and when she does I sit back in awe. However, I am well aware that music is not my gift. Although I will rock out to praise and worship music at the top of my lungs in my vehicle, I highly doubt I will ever, EVER, stand in front of a congregation on a Sunday morning and sing a solo. I’m so glad, and you should be as well! I’m so glad that God created all of us so differently. Each of us plays a huge role on this
stage that God calls life. Psalms 139:14 states, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” He made us all different because there are so many different jobs and areas of service. We can’t do it all, but we can use the talent He gave us to do our part well. He knew that it would take all of us working together and using our various strengths to grow his Kingdom. I love looking around at the different people in my life and seeing them use their talents to shine for Jesus. I have friends that sew, crochet, cook, sing, play instruments, teach, pray, listen, create, love, lead, build, etc. I could go on and on. The amazing thing about our talents is that God is intricately weaving them all together. We see just a tiny glimpse of what is happening, of who God is using to do what. But God, God sees the big puzzle. And even though we are so very different, in the end, we will all mesh together perfectly. Maybe you wish you had a different gift to give. Maybe you wish you could serve in a different area. Just know that God gave you that gift for a reason. He knew you could take your talents and do amazing things and touch hearts somehow, someway. Romans 12:6-7 states, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching.”
Today I have two challenges for you. The first is to pray about the gifts that God gave you and how you can utilize them to serve others. My second challenge is to look around at your friends and co-workers. Lift them and their gifts up. Help them feel confident to serve others using their talents. Sometimes one honest compliment is all it takes to spark the heart of a believer.

God, help me to use the gifts that you have given me in the best way possible. I want to help expand Heaven. Whatever I need to do, to work on, let me know. Help me to be confident in the gifts you have given me. Please help me lift others up in reassurance in the areas that they should be serving in as well. We are all in this together. Amen.