It was a beautiful day many years ago when I learned of my Savior's love for me and acknowledged His 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 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.  But 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 use and develop what He hasgiven. "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 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 teach.  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. Let us pray that our desire is to be the faithful servant!  And now, as I mull over the words, “What now?”, I am excited!  I am looking to the Lord and happily anticipating the plans He has for me.  What an honor it is to serve Him!

In His Grip,

Joan


12 Comments

  1. Amen! Visiting from Spiritual Sundays.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  2. charlotte71October 12, 2012

    Thank you for this encouraging post, Joan. It is good to point out that God doesn't expect us to do things He has not gifted us to do. I felt guilty about not being able to do certain things for many years before I understood this reality. Being a preacher's wife people expected me to do things that I was not gifted to do. I guess they expect preacher's wives to "do it all." They are human just like everybody else. I think I put more pressure on myself than anyone else did though. Anyway, this post reminded me of that.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,Charlotte

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  3. Hi Charlotte! You are right...so often others put expectations on us and as a result we can feel guilty or pressured. However, when we begin to understand that it is God we are desiring to please, the pressure is released! He will always guide us in the right direction and show us where He wants us to serve.


    Blessings, Joan

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  4. Thanks for stopping by, Jocelyn! Blessings to you!

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  5. A great word of encouragement!

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  6. "God doesn’t expect us to do more than He has gifted us
    to do, but He does desire us to use and develop what He has
    given." I really appreciate this post! I've always put so much pressure on myself to 'do more' and 'be more'. And I'm still learning that God has given me gifts and a sphere of influence and that's where I need to shine. Thanks for the excellent reminder!
    I'm a new follower via WWP and would love for you to visit and , if blessed, follow!
    www.marywomantowoman.blogspot.com

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  7. Thanks, Debbie! I'm so glad you were encouraged!

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  8. I love how God has us right where He wants us and will use us in any and all seasons in our lives! Thanks for stopping by...I'm popping over to your blog now! Blessings!

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  9. Clint BakerOctober 14, 2012

    Very Encouraging, Thank you!
    http://theredeemedgardener.blogspot.com/

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  10. Praise Him that He made me just the way He wanted to...I'm praying that He will use my offerings to bring honor and glory to Him! Blessings!

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  11. Pamela KuhnOctober 14, 2012

    I think often we ask people to take on tasks outside of what God gifted them to do. I've learned the "no" word but it took me many years and frustration to learn it. I've found what God has gifted me to do is what I love doing--and that makes it much more effective. I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

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  12. Yes, it is a wise woman who listens to what God has to say and follows His leading! He has gifted each of us perfectly for exactly what He wants us to do. Saying "no" can be so difficult, but when we know we are following the Lord, He will give us strength!

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