Friday, August 16, 2024
If you found out your life was going to end in a few months, what would you do?
A few weeks … a few days?
I’m confident that your answer wouldn’t be, nothing. We were designed, by God, to do special things. We’ve all been blessed with different talents and gifts, and we’re charged with using them.
What would life look like if we were all blessed with the same gifts, such as playing music? That would be a joyous melody indeed, but a performance requires more than music. Who would host the musicians and provide for their needs? Who would operate the sound systems and the cameras? If we were all a bunch of musicians, who would provide hospitality, empathy, writing, healthcare, administration, etc.?
It takes many, many types of gifts to make the world work, and our incredibly intelligent Creator knew that. That’s why we are all designed individually. If we aren’t using our talents, then we are withholding a service we could be sharing with the world.
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Our lives have an expiration date, unknown to us. Certainly, heaven will rejoice when we join our Father and loved ones, but God wants more for us than simply being saved and going to heaven when we die. He wants us to live up to our full potential during our journey.
Hebrews 3:14
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
Life is a beautiful gift. Of course we will be faced with challenges and valleys; God never promised a smooth ride. But when we are rooted in our Heavenly Father, we begin to blossom. And as we use our blessings and gifts to serve the world around us, we grow in ways we could never have imagined—a gift truly worth giving over and over again.
Live today, as if it were your last … one day, it will be.
Questions:
What spiritual gifts are you using? What talents are you not using?
Next Steps:
Prayerfully consider participating in GrowthTrack if you haven’t done so. If you have already completed GrowthTrack, consider ways you can use your talents to expand God’s Kingdom.
21 Days of Prayer - Day 5
Focus: Our Leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Prayer:
God, I pray for the leaders you have appointed in every sphere of life — in our government, churches, communities, businesses, schools, and families. Give each leader wisdom and discernment to make good choices. Protect and guide them as they face challenges and pressures every day. God, help me to support and respect them with grace and confidence. Thank you for the opportunity to be a positive influence to the leaders in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Hebrews 3:14
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
Today’s post was written by Keisha Wiechers, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.