This past Sunday, my pastor preached on using your gifts. Of course, it is that time of year when they are looking for members to teach Sunday School, but what about our gifts outside of our church family. I’ve been thinking about this, not just this past Sunday, but for the past few months. Basically, I’m taking what he said and applying it to my ability to tell a story. Well, ok, I don’t really have proof yet that I can tell a story, except for the two chapters I’ve posted here on my blog. The other writers in my writing group seem to enjoying my writing so I’m just going to go with the fantasy that I’m a gifted story-teller.

As followers of Christ, we have all been given a gift. Some of us have been given more than one. The bible verses the sermon was basted on came from 1 Peter 4:10-11. Here are the verses in the NIV translation:

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

So, the reasons to use your gifts (mine is writing Christian Romance.)

1. Because there is a purpose to God’s gift to you.

Ultimately, the reason you have been given a gift is to bring glory to God. Not so you can get recognition, praise, or any other glorification. It’s all for God.

Sometimes, it seems Satan puts a dark thought in my mind. He says, “That seems selfish on God’s part.” I have to tell him, “No. It’s not.” God created me. He is my maker. He sent Jesus. I would have died in sin never to see him in heaven. Am I grateful? Of course, but it’s more than that. God took a person like me, someone who had to take remedial english in college, and made her a writer. Yea, yea, yea, you can tell me that I’m smarter than I think I am till your blue in the face, but I know the truth. I’m only an author because God wants me to be. He is the one who will make it happen, when it happens.

2. Because of the perspective you have in managing a gift.

It amazes me the information you can find through social media. People blog, post, and comment on everything there is to talk about. They don’t have to, but they are serving others even if they don’t know it. It’s wonderful! Yet I’m finding few Christian’s blog. Most just put a comment on twitter and/or Facebook. Just imagine what could happen if more Christians blogged. If you take something your knowledgable about and add Christian perspective you have a gift that can be used as a unique instrument for God. Here is an example: my pastor jokingly told his congregation an idea he had for a reality tv show about a preacher. He gave a short demonstration and it was hilarious. I told him he should video himself and put it on YouTube, but he just laughed. Yet, I was serious. I think he could do a short summary of his sermon, add his funny spin on it, then post it to YouTube and start a blog. I imagine he would reach people he would not normally reach. I think it would be great!

3. Because of the power in expressing a gift.

There is something about a Christian who uses their God-given gift. You know how you buy a gift from the store, then you get it home and realize it’s suppose to have batteries. You look on the box (which you should have done in the first place) and it says batteries not included. Well, that’s not how it works with God’s gift. He empowers you to use your gift. You will have everything you need, though that doesn’t mean it won’t be hard work. Besides, without hard work there is no appreciation. So, that something about a Christian, the one who uses their God-given gift, it’s God empowering them. Amen. I don’t know about you, but the thought of being empowered makes me feel super human. I like it!

What about you? Do you have a gift? Leave a comment and tell me how you are using it. If you’re not using it, do you have any ideas on how you could use it? Do you know of any good Christian websites or blogs? Please prove me wrong with my comment that there are not many Christian bloggers!