“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15-16)
Do you have a gift? Do you have a beautiful voice, write poetry, or grasp mathematical concepts that make most of us just scratch our heads?
Maybe you don’t even realize it is a gift. Sometimes, our perfectionism keeps us from seeing the gift God has given us because we are constantly comparing ourselves to those around us and our own expectations, forever coming up short.
Scripture tells us that we shouldn’t hide our light under a bowl (or a bushel, as in the King James Version). Striving to be the same as someone else, even someone we admire, is covering that gift up. We were created to be unique, and our individual gifts are just as special as anyone else’s.
While most of us will never reach fame and fortune with our gift by earthly standards, when we use it to glorify God, we are storing up much more valuable heavenly treasures. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your gift is “small” or “useless.” There is no such thing.
Whether you write for the community newsletter, feed and nourish your family with delicious meals, or lovingly lead a troop of Girl Scouts, your gift is a testament to a generous and caring God. Through you, He shares beauty with all of us.
In the end, our gift is always His. No matter how hard we may work at improving our skills and abilities, apart from God, we can do nothing. So say a prayer of thanks that you have been blessed with your unique gift and ask for guidance on how you can bless others with it, in the name of the Lord.
Have a beautiful Monday!
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