Discover God’s Gifts, Understand Them, and Use Them!
Do you recall the parable of the talents? Mathew 25:4-30. The talents in this parable equate to money. However, the story’s not about money; it’s about what you give back to God who has given you everything, and what you do with the gifts He’s given!
The man in the story buried and hid his master’s money, received his master’s gifts, and returned it unused. The master came back to settle the account and discovered that nothing was gained from what was given. Furthermore, the man hid the money so no one would know it existed and where no one could hold him accountable.
We are all given natural and spiritual gifts. Are you aware of your gifts? Have you buried your gifts? Are you afraid of using them or just plan non-motivated? We can all make excuses—too much work, too old, too young, too tired.
What will you tell the Master on the day of accountability? Did you double your gift or hide it away to avoid conflict and accountability? Will you return His gifts unused?
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
At fifty-one years old I feel I have a responsibility to represent—to represent those who think they are too old and to represent those who are young and are in need of examples. God has given me talent and health. I want to use both of them for as long as I can to motivate others to stand up and represent!
Your responsibility
I recently heard the story of a man struggling with God. The man wanted God to give him the opportunity to serve with his music, as a career. My advice: do what you can with what you have, exactly where you are. You may be praying for God’s will in your life, standing in one place, calling for God to move you. Yet unbeknownst to you, you may be exactly where God wants you to be. Sometimes He’s preparing you for something better to come—a preparation for you to guide others with your new found knowledge. Moses was stuck in the desert for forty years. Sometimes you have to go through the desert to get to the Promised Land.
Some will never use their gifts, and others want the most idealistic circumstances to offer what they’ve been given. Apply your gifts today, from exactly where you are. If you’re a homemaker who enjoys singing, sing Christian songs to your children, play Christian radio inside your home, and plant the seeds of faith. Perhaps His will is for you to be the Christ conduit for your children. If you’re stuck in a dead-end job and want to be a musician, serve your employer faithfully, and be a Christian example for your co-workers. In the meantime, practice, hone your skills, and seek out other like-minded people. Join or start a music blog, learn to record from your computer and seek other writers. Serve God in everything you do and don’t be complacent, but instead be content where you are.
The responsibility of the Church
As church members and leaders, the body of the church should work jointly to promote the gifts of each congregation member. Each church, regardless of size, should have a process to “Truthfully” guide each member to use and discover their talents. Everyone has a something to offer for the kingdom of God.
Here’s the real debate. What about those who truly (but mistakenly) believe they have musical talent and want to share that with all their heart for the Lord. As members of the church, we must be a guide to the sails of the congregation.
It is unfair to everyone to knowingly reinforce someone’s misbeliefs in his or her talents while letting them embarrass themselves before a congregation or burying them in the mix of the sound system. When a church asks for the services of volunteers, they should offer them training and guidance in return.
And don’t confuse talent used for ego with talent used for God. I used my talent to reinforce my ego for years. It was all about me at center stage. Now that I’m a more mature Christian, everything has changed. A certain level of spiritual maturity is necessary to determine whether someone is making themselves available to fulfill their ego or for the purposes of God. If you are not offering your talent with your whole heart in the name of God, it is my opinion that you should not serve in any position within the church. The musician who was a drunken dog Saturday night at the local tavern cannot serve as the best representative of the church on Sunday morning. I know that’s an extreme example, but I’ve witnessed it firsthand.
I ask everyone reading this to prayerfully ask God to uncover your physical and spiritual gifts and talents. Ask God to open the doors and uncover His will in your life. I always tell my kids, don’t wait for a knock on the door. Move forward and seek out the doors which interest you. Ask and pray for guidance. Seek counseling from your Pastor or seek out a church. God will open those doors which fulfill His will.
Now go out and Rock God’s House with your entire mind, heart and spirit, in order to serve both your church and Christ.
