But It’s My Gift!

“But it’s my gift and I can do this!”

 

“I know you can do it, but just because you can do it doesn’t mean you need to do it.”

 

Ouch, those words weren’t meant to sting, but they did.

 

Ever been in a similar situation? One in which you knew you had the spiritual gift to do a job, but you weren’t asked or allowed to do it. I have.

 

I wish I could tell you that I acted like a mature adult and accepted the decision, but I can’t. Matter of fact, I had all kind of thoughts going through my mind. Thoughts like:

“Why did they choose her? Don’t they know I’ve been doing this for years?”

“Don’t they realize I’m much more qualified?”

And here’s a good one . . . “Have they forgotten I’m the one who started this ministry?”

 

We can get our feelings hurt and get all high and mighty when we feel like we aren’t being used in church or at our jobs like we think we should be used, but this is not pleasing to God.

 

It’s taken me a little while, but I’m beginning to realize some important lessons concerning the spiritual gifts I’ve been given.

 

• First, just because I have a particular gift to do something or handle a situation, it doesn’t mean I’m always the one for the job.
•  I’m finally getting through my thick skull that all the ideas I have floating around in my head at times don’t need to be done immediately. Just because I think it may be a good idea and know I’m gifted to do it doesn’t mean it should be done.
•  I need BOUNDARIES. For example, one of my gifts is teaching but I don’t have to say yes to every invitation extended to me to teach. I can say no and wait until a better time.

 

The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to each believer as He sees fit. We have no say about which ones He gives us. God knows the plans He has for us and gives us gifts according to how He wants us to be used as we help Him minister and encourage others.

 

There are seasons that God calls us to in which He wants us to serve and then there are seasons we are sit back and either rest, regroup, be corrected, be trained, or grow.

 

As we have opportunities to use our gifts, we need to spend time with the Lord asking Him what we should and should not commit to doing.

 

His Word says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6 NASB).

 

“Lord, help me to understand the gifts you have given me but more importantly, help me to use them with wisdom. Direct my steps and guide me. Your Word says I need to trust you with all my heart and lean on your understanding, not my own. I acknowledge You, Lord. Thank you for making my path straight so I can serve you better.”

 

 

 

Photo credit: morguefile