It was a beautiful day many years ago when I learned of my Savior's love for me and acknowledged His holy name. But it was an even more beautiful day when I fell down before Him in total submission. All of my failures and sins were laid bare at His feet. This total wreck of a woman was delivered from a downward spiral and found forgiveness in a loving God. I cannot tell you the incredible joy I felt when I had come to the end of "me" and began my new life in Him. My thankfulness to my Lord and Savior is unmeasured. I love Him with all my heart and I can't help but praise His name! Each day that I wake is a new day to celebrate the victory I have in Christ Jesus. He has done so much for me and I am eternally grateful... But then I ask, "What now?"

I think many of us have asked that same question. We celebrate the Lord's faithfulness and His gift of salvation. We welcome the changes and miracles that He performs in our lives. Praise for Him is on our lips and in our hearts and we long to somehow do more. But so often, we feel we have nothing to offer that is of any worth to God. We listen to the enemy's lies and believe that God would never use anyone like us. Though we shouldn't, we compare ourselves to others who in our minds would do a better job serving our Lord than we ever could.  We mistakenly decide that because we feel we aren't talented or worthy enough to do the big, splashy things for God, we should simply give up and do nothing at all.  We forget that God has given each of us different talents and abilities. His hands have been shaping us our entire lives. Through our experiences, both negative and positive, God forms us into unique individuals whom He has designed with a specific purpose in mind. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

And, just like the master in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), God doesn’t expect us to do more than He has gifted us to do, but He does desire us to be willing to use and develop what He has given. "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (Matthew 25:23).

As we humbly come before God, offering ourselves to Him, He will use us as instruments through which others will be reached for Christ.  No matter how small or insignificant we think our abilities are, God will use them for His glory if we are simply willing to put the joy of our salvation into action. If we can sing, let us sing.  If we have a story to tell, let us speak.  If we can encourage others, let us do so.  Whatever our gift, it is no less important than another.  "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

God sees our actions. He knows our heart. He will take our humble offerings, and work through these weak bodies for His glory!  As we step out in faith, we can be sure that His grace is sufficient for us!  For through our weakness His power shows all the more!

Living for Him,
Joan




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1 Comments

  1. Joan, this is awesome!! I love, "God doesn't expect us to do more than He gifted us to do." Thanks for sharing your wisdom and thanks for linking up. :)

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