Today's devotion compliments the devotion "You Can't."
My husband knows he's not a writer. He doesn't even like texting.
But when I managed and edited a devotional site, I learned that not everyone understands their gifts like my husband does his. Some folks "set their minds" on being a writer, "believe in themselves," and waste their lives on poorly written articles and books.
And in the process, they lose opportunities to use their God-given gifts.
So how do we determine if we are focusing on our genuine gifts or wasting time on gifts we don't possess?
So how do we determine if we are focusing on our genuine gifts or wasting time on gifts we don't possess?
We consider:
1. Positive feedback—Are there certain skills that seem to come naturally to you? Are there some that most often bring godly results? See 4 Ways to Develop Our God-Given Purposes.
2. Opportunities that reveal our weaknesses—God gives us two types of opportunities: those which reveal and develop our gifts and those which reveal our weaknesses. We should be honest enough to admit it when we are out of our skill set. Romans 12:3
3. Honest counsel—What do mature Christians and honest friends tell you that you do well? Proverbs 15:22; 27:6
4. Desires—What brings you joy and purpose? What energizes you and what drains you? This one is last on the list because it can be misleading without taking the other things into consideration. Psalm 20:4; 37:4
1. Positive feedback—Are there certain skills that seem to come naturally to you? Are there some that most often bring godly results? See 4 Ways to Develop Our God-Given Purposes.
2. Opportunities that reveal our weaknesses—God gives us two types of opportunities: those which reveal and develop our gifts and those which reveal our weaknesses. We should be honest enough to admit it when we are out of our skill set. Romans 12:3
3. Honest counsel—What do mature Christians and honest friends tell you that you do well? Proverbs 15:22; 27:6
4. Desires—What brings you joy and purpose? What energizes you and what drains you? This one is last on the list because it can be misleading without taking the other things into consideration. Psalm 20:4; 37:4
See Faith vs. Feeling.
Bottom line: God has prepared things for us to do and we want to recognize those things and do them well (Ephesians 2:10).
Bottom line: God has prepared things for us to do and we want to recognize those things and do them well (Ephesians 2:10).
For more encouragement about your purposes in God's family, see Andrew-- A Behind-the-Scenes Christian and Why Creativity Is Part of Our Spiritual "DNA."
Bible Love Notes
Oh, Gail, this is really great! I so appreciate your thoughts about our gifts - recognizing them and using them to honor the Lord! Thank you for sharing your gift of writing and sharing wisdom from the Word of God with us! And thank your sweet husband for encouraging you! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl. My husband really is an encourager for me. And thanks for your encouragement as well! : )
DeleteGod greatly blessed me with the gift of painting and writing. I published a children's book in December, because I felt strongly that this was a mission. It clearly gives God the glory for his wondrous works. Sometimes, I think I should be doing more, and that maybe I was doing this for my own glory. I get doubts. Is He content with me sitting in my studio, painting and writing? That's not a question for you, but a question I ask myself...a lot!
ReplyDeleteI took a quick look at your book on Amazon, and it really is lovely. So glad you are using your God-given gifts. : )
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words. You blessed me.
DeleteGod gave me a gift to write and recently to draw portraits for over a year now. I know He truly desires to give us our heart's desire than we truly know it's His. Thank you this blessed me today.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fulfilling to know we are using our gifts for God, isn't it? And sometimes we think that this only means doing Christian work, but any work that is committed to the Lord glorifies Him.
DeleteThank you, so much! I am a stay at home mom of 4 (also a homeschooler) for about 5 years now and lately I have been really missing working. Resently I was able to volunteer for our homeschool group and set up a big book sale. I felt so great about it and got so many complements that I started missing that feeling of accomplishment. You know that part were you work and Achieve something. Sometimes (what feels like most times) staying home feels like a loosing battle, especially when you homeschool. Most days are very long with no brakes and you start to forget why God called you here. So thank you so very much for the reminder:). You alway seem to write about what I need to here. I love how God works!
ReplyDeleteDear Amy,
DeleteI've been where you are now (I was always a stay-at-home mom and homeschooled my children in Junior High and High School). I know how repetitive some of homeschooling and homemaking can be and often it is a "thankless" career--no paycheck or awards or promotions. Some moms get encouragement from husband and children and others don't even get much of that. Fortunately, the Lord is always there to comfort and encourage us. And I think it's a good thing to find ways to use your gifts. If I were to do it again, I would have taken some Bible classes or other classes at the local junior college that had nothing to do with my children and family, preparing me for the empty nest years. We can put our family first and still grow in our gifts. I'm glad you enjoyed organizing this book sale. It is obviously an area where you are gifted. I pray God will give you other opportunities to feel a sense of accomplishment and growth.
Gail : )
I liked how you outlined how to identify our gifts. I have always felt clueless about what my gifts are. Recently, I realized that was because I lacked confidence. Yes, our confidence should be in the Lord but He has given us areas that we naturally excel in and I am thankful for that. I look forward to reading your Bible Love Notes. Thank you so much for the time you spend in writing and preparing them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judith, for your encouragement. You are a sweet friend. And you are so right--we can be confident...in Him : )
DeleteThanks for this, Gail. I've been told I'm good at photography, but I don't know how to use that for God! I'm stumped.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, Gail.
DeleteI just looked at your latest blog post.
You are already using your photography for God's glory!!
: )
I live by WWJD, I do a lot of creative things and donate them for missionary work. I do know God approves because Thomas Merton told us even if we are not doing something perfect He appreciates our trying. Even by trying to follow Jesus, I am giving all I can.
ReplyDeleteWhat about when the only things that friends & family tell us that we do well are things that we get stressed-out about and feel that we do poorly, and the "opportunities" that keep arising are always involving these same things, causing us to feel like our only purpose is to do something joyless that we hate for the rest of our lives?
ReplyDeleteHi tru24rm,
DeleteI'm sorry you are experiencing these feelings. I don't have an answer for you, but I encourage you to take it to the Lord in prayer and seek His advice. I don't think He gives us gifts that we dislike. Sometimes we can do something well, but it's not really our gift. Maybe you haven't discovered those things which give you energy and joy. I pray you will.
Thank you for your Bible love notes. They are a blessing to me.
ReplyDeleteMy gifts are serving and encouraging others. I feel blessed and very grateful to be able to be used by God to help others.
Thank you Gail. This was my eye opener. I have always wondered what God wanted me to do and now I know helping others is truly my gift. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.