Everything comes from God alone.
Everything lives by His power,
and everything for His glory.
Romans 11:36 (LB)
The LORD has made everything for His own purpose.
Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)
There is a reason for everything...it is all for Him.I was asked to do something today. I was asked to consider playing a role in a summer children's ministry. Although I 'retired' from children's ministry about two years ago, here I was being asked once again to get involved. But not only was I asked to get involved, I was asked to help pull it together. My first reaction surprised me. I was excited! Had I been asked a year ago, I probably would have bolted. I was still exhausted from the years I served as children's pastor.
About a month ago, I was asked to step back into children's ministry as a volunteer teacher - a host. I was excited about that offer as well, but at the time, after much prayer, did not think the timing was right for me to step back into such a role. But yet here, less than a month later, I'm being asked once again to get involved in children's ministry.
My gift is teaching. Whether that be young or old, that is the gift God gave to me. But I have a confession to make, other than being a high school math teacher, I haven't really used my teaching gift for God since I 'retired' two years ago from children's ministry. Sure I've emulated Christ's love for others as best I can, even toward my students...but I haven't used my teaching skills specifically to teach others about God and His Truth since I left the children's ministry.
Here's my confession...I've not adequately used my gift of teaching in direct service to God since.......
So today, after prayerfully reading Day Seven of The Purpose Driven Life,I am convicted of holding out my abilities and talents. In this chapter, Warren talks about our reason for being is all for God's glory. And one way of bringing God glory is to serve others with our gifts. Warren writes, "Each of us was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills, and abilities. The way you're "wired" is not an accident. God didn't give you your abilities for selfish purposes. They were given to benefit others, just as others were given abilities for your benefit." In fact, 1 Peter 4:10-11 says,
"God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you...Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory."
I had been holding out on God. I had not been using my talents fully God's glory. But this conviction came grudgingly over time through a series of events which culminated with a heartfelt discussion with a concerned friend last week. The conviction was further affirmed with today's reading and a second request to use my gifts for ministry. You see, God has been working on me for a while about using my talents for Him. I just thought I wasn't of any use anymore. I had made too many mistakes and wasn't good enough. I felt my health situation limited my ability to serve. You see, I had excuse after excuse. The enemy had fed me lie after lie. And I believed every one of them!
But what's more is that I was in sore need of being reminded that my very existence and how I live are to be in response to and reflect His glory! And THANK GOODNESS He is also a God of great love, mercy, and FORGIVENESS! Even though we mess up, He forgives and offers us each opportunities to serve Him again!
We don't have to be perfect in order to serve our perfect God! He takes care of our imperfections, shoring up our weaknesses with His power. Our job is simply to go about loving Him and living for Him!
But there is more to bringing glory to God than just serving Him with our gifts and abilities. We bring God glory by doing everything He tells us to do. Jesus said to the Father, "I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do." (John 17:4) Fulfilling the purpose for which we were created brings God glory. Warren says that:
- We bring God glory by worshipping Him.
- We bring God glory by loving other believers.
- We bring God glory by becoming like Christ.
- We bring God glory by serving others with our gifts.
- We bring God glory by telling others about Him.
I need to get off my backside and start using my gifts for His purpose. I've been stagnant for far too long.
And as I prayerfully consider some things, I must remember that it's all for Him.
VERSE: "For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everythingis for his glory." Romans 11:36
Question: Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory?
In His Love, Cathy
(Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan. 2002. Print)
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