God Told Me: Develop What You’ve Been Given

Many years ago, my wife and I purchased a special gift for our daughters: an electric piano! They told us they wanted it and promised to practice every day – so we gave them a quality instrument, just like they wanted. At first, they practiced several times a week without complaint and went to their lessons regularly. After a little over a year, though, we noticed that their attitudes toward their music lessons began to change. They complained a little about their teacher and then started 'forgetting' to practice. Finally, they were in outright rebellion, and nothing we could do or say could get them to even look at that piano! It wasn't long before they quit their lessons, and the piano got moved into a dusty corner of our house, finally being sold at a garage sale.

          

The fact that we lost a little bit of money was a concern, of course – but the big disappointment was that a gift that was once prized and practiced ended up dusty in a corner, never utilized in any meaningful way. The fulfillment that comes from playing an instrument well was never experienced, and the joy that could have been shared with others never materialized.

          

 I'm sure other parents can relate to this story; there are many 'barely used' pianos for sale on Craigslist!  

 

I think of this story fairly often – not because of anything negative about my daughters (they both turned out wonderfully!), but because I am reminded that, in some ways, God has been through the very same thing with us! God is a loving father, giving his children beautiful gifts. Sometimes they develop and use those gifts; at other times, those gifts are 'wasted,' moved to a dusty corner of our lives.

          

The scriptures teach us that God gives people gifts to be used in service to others. Sometimes these are natural abilities or aptitudes that can be developed; at other times, these gifts are called 'spiritual gifts' that come directly from God's Spirit at work in one's life. When discovered and developed, these gifts can bring great joy into people's lives and can be used by God to build up His Church and serve the needs of a community. When people develop their gifts and use them as God directs, peoples' lives can be changed, and tremendous blessings can be experienced by everyone involved! God gives them to his children just because He loves them.

          

Let me encourage you to search your life and determine what 'gifts' God has given you. Do you have musical abilities? Are you good with numbers or patient with those who need help? Perhaps you can lead people or even serve as one who 'works behind the scenes' without being noticed; there are many different gifts, all from Father-God! God wants you to use the skills you have been given by serving others.  

 

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