If I asked you where the greatest treasures on earth are, you'll probably tell me that they're in museums, banks, or even ancient places with rumored 'lost treasures.' I agree. But there's one place that is least thought about: the cemetery.
Many people do not live our their lives to the maximum potential. Many God-given gifts and talents are left undeveloped or kept hidden to no ones benefit. Many people die with their gifts, but that should not be.
When God gives us gifts, He expects us to use them. As Leo Buscaglia, an American author and motivational speaker, puts it, "Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God." Personally, the principle of these words drive me to step out with what God has placed in me, though if we look at it in another light, what we do with our abilities is also our gift to the people.
When Jesus did ministry on earth 2,000 years ago, he only had two concerns: First, to bring God's kingdom here on earth; and second, to redeem the people.
God seeks the glory, yes. But if everything were all entirely about God, that would make Him selfish, and He's not. Everything He does is for His people. God's ways are driven by His love for us and that's why He equips us to reach out to others. And really, there's no work that is more satisfying than being able to be a blessing to even just one person.
None of us can really say, "I have no talent." Just because you can't sing or dance does not mean that you can't do anything else. God may have given you the ability to earn money, or the ability to cook tasty foods, or the gift of encouragement. All of these contribute to the growth of another.
I've seen this diversity of giftings in my family. My Dad's a very handy and resourceful person, so he does the things that require rulers and math because no one else in my family can do what he does. My Mom was very social. It was her gift to be able to connect with people no matter who they were. She made friends with everyone, and in the family, she was the only one who was that way. I'm the creative one so I do the decorations, I do the cooking, I do the painting, I do the things that require a handful of imagination. My brother, lastly, is very good with money. Seriously, I don't know how he earns more money than I do granted that I have two jobs and he barely has one. Each of us has the ability that the other does not have so that together, we may function as one family.
The Body of Christ operates in the same way.
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. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7NLT
Ever since I first met my Pastor, a true man of God, he kept on telling me to use my gifts and that I should not let them go to waste. When I do so, it is my gift back to God because God is glorified when His people use what He's given them. But at the same time, the gifts are for the people, too.
"You're tired because you're not inspired," My Pastor told me when I got to the point of almost quitting. "Make the people your motivation. Make them your inspiration. Someone needs what you have." He said. But that's just not me. I'm doing what I can, but someone needs what you have, too. Someone out there needs what God has entrusted to you; and you may get tired, but don't quit.
Quickly, here's a list of how you can use your God-given abilities:
1. Get it out there. Don't keep it to yourself.
2. Develop what you have so that you'll get better at it.
3. If you're in the ministry, offer help with what you can do.
4. Even when you're not at church, try to help out.
5. And the best advice that I can give: ask God what to do with your giftings and let Him lead you.
Don't set aside your talents because you're responsible for them. One day, God will ask you what you did with them and you gotta be ready to give an answer (Matthew 25:14-30).
Finally, as Proverbs 22:29 says, "Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank." If you want to become great, your talent is your ticket.
You have a choice either to use your gifts, or to die with 'em and be like a lot of people in the cemetery. The dead will never have another chance, but you do. So get out there and show the world what you've got.
