Using Your Gifts to Please God
“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
She said it quietly, without much emphasis, simply stating what she considered a fact. Before I could respond she continued, “I haven’t tasted anything you cooked that wasn’t good.”
My friend visited me for the first time a few summers ago. It was a visit almost twelve years in the making. Long before she came I made it known I didn’t consider myself the best cook. I told her how well my sisters cooked but not me. I wanted to make sure I warned her in advance just in case she didn’t enjoy my cooking. The fact is she did enjoy my sisters’ food but she enjoyed my own also.
Long after she left, her words played over and over in my mind. “You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
My friend’s words reminded me of something a church sister spoke in prayer meeting lately. She said, “All God wants you to do is your best. So, whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability.” In the final analysis, God is not looking for the best cook, the snappiest dresser, the most creative homemaker or the most eloquent blogger. God is looking for people who will use their gifts and abilities whatever they may be, for his service and in service to others.
So even if we’re not what we consider to be the best at what we do, when we yield our gifts to God and allow him to use them He is pleased with us. And if God is pleased we should be alright with that.
What about you? Do you often find yourself downplaying your gifts to others because you sincerely believe that what you do does not measure up?
That is so true, Bernadine. We often downplay our gifts because we don’t want to disappoint others. Well, at least it is true for me. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.