What’s the best part of receiving a gift? Is it the mystery? Is it the guessing of what it could possibly be? Or is it the feeling that someone has taken the time to think of you? With you in mind, they took time out of their day to spend hard-earned cash for something they believe you would desire and enjoy. Better yet, to know that they would plan and consider such a gift you would enjoy and use every day. Wouldn’t that be just the perfect gift? For someone to give you such a gift, it would require them to know you…deeply. They would need to understand you intimately.
The truth is, you have been given such a gift already. It’s been given by the One who knows you deeply and understands you intimately—Jesus.
The issue is, many undervalue and even dismiss these gifts. Such do not see it for what it is: a blessing from God that brings delight to oneself and to others when purposely used. Such gifts were never meant to be hidden. They were never meant to be shut up—closed off or hidden. Furthermore, they were not given to be used in self-serving ways. Also, you cannot re-gift these. These gifts were meant for us as individuals to bring us joy and blessing to those we interact with and influence.
So, what are these gifts I’m writing about? Not to be mistaken for the greatest Gift—Jesus. Or the gifts that are provided by the Holy Spirit, when most needed. The Gifts I’m writing about are the talents and abilities you’ve been created with. Such gifts when combined with desire, faith and determination of will, become a powerful force in this world for good. A force so powerful for the sake of good and God’s Kingdom that we have an enemy that seeks to destroy them.
From the day you were born, the enemy has sought to steal, kill and destroy your gifts. It’s done through words of friends and family that say, “You can’t do that!” It’s done through circumstances that rise and rage against us–those dire situations that scream loud and attempt to drown out God’s voice, His Word and are purposeful in their attempt to cultivate doubt and unbelief. The destruction of our gift begins through wrong decisions we’ve made and regrettable mistakes of our past. All are disqualifiers–but only if we let them.
If this is you, it’s time to open up the gift again. It’s time to rediscover it. Take it out of the closet. It’s time for you to re-discover the gifting. It may be dormant, but not destroyed. It may have been lost—but never stolen. It’s time to put in the proverbial mental blender and mix with faith, passion and a determination that made you a winner. And yes, God made you a winner. He doesn’t create losers and He makes no mistakes.
You see, the gifts are for you to enjoy and use to bless others. God’s gifts are never for one person–they’re for all people and when we withhold them, we withhold Love.
Yet there is a divine mystery regarding our gifts too. It’s the mystery and key to unlocking our full potential. A potential that can only be realized when we discover the plan for which they were given. A Plan you ask? That’s right—a master plan for our lives that only God knows. Here is what it say’s in Jeremiah about this—the plan.
O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Jeremiah 10:23
So then, I guess this begs the questions: “How do you reach full potential? How do you discover the master plan for your life that maximized potential and uses the gifting to their full capability?” The answer: no person can give you the answer. Only God can. Take a look at the next few scriptures in light of this.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
There you have it. A gift, given for Love’s sake; given to you, for you, and for those you shall one day serve and influence. It’s called your talent/gifting, designed to work in concert with God’s plan for your life. Therefore, start with the gift. What is your talent? What has God equipped you with? Don’t minimize it. Furthermore, don’t compare yourself and the gift to those of others. That is not wise. Just know this—God has called all His people to greatness. To that end, I’ll leave you with this from the Prophet Daniel.
Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Daniel 11:32
God loves you. So much so that’s He’s called you to become a member of His family through the work of His only begotten Son, Jesus. Seek Him. Know Him. Get ready for an amazing use of your gift (the talents you possess) and live the life you were created for.
Fred Snyder