Tag: Unique Gifts

Your Gift is Great, Do Not Neglect It

“14Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” — 1 Timothy 4:14 (ESV)

Paul is speaking to Timothy here and he is reminding him to utilize the gift that was given him. It is easy to move on to things that may seem to give more in return and step away from the gift that was given to us.

I know for me it was many years ago that I was asked to be a Sunday school teacher for the youth in my church. I accepted and truly enjoyed it, although life got in the way and I was pulled into my work and away from the teaching. As time went on, I was given the opportunity to become a trainer for my company and after only a few weeks realized that I had found my career. I would have gotten here a few years before had I only been focused on finding and using my gifts as it was and is in teaching that I have the impact.

I am still in the field of learning and development and know that I am right where I belong. I am no longer neglecting the gift I was given by God. I am here to live out my life bringing glory to Him in the way that He has planned for me. I may not know what is around the next corner in my career, although I do know that it will certainly be in the field of learning and development as I continue to enhance my gift and use it in my kingdom purpose.

Timothy was out in the world doing the work assigned by God through Paul. Paul stayed in contact with him to encourage and guide him in the work. I believe that this passage is a great one to lean on as it shows that the work will be completed, but only through the continued dedication to the work and using the gifts given by God to accomplish them.

“15Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” — 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (ESV)

The work done and the gifts used will bring glory to God and touch the lives of those around you. I have embraced the gift of teaching and where it may not seem like much, I know that I am touching the lives of everyone that I come in contact with through the glory of God and His work.

What is your gift? Are you using that gift for the glory of God and to touch others? What if you were focused on the gift God gave you, enhancing it and using it to touch the lives of those around you?

Christ’s Gift to Each of Us

I have heard the question, “If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?” Wouldn’t it be great if each of us was gifted with the ability to hit the high “C” while singing and be given a record deal to boot. What about the gift to create works of art to stimulate the mind. What about amazing athletic ability and were able to display that every day. It would be great if we all had this one gift. Where I do think it is a good discussion to have from the standpoint of just discussion and generating conversation, what would be results of everyone having superpowers.

It is important that we each understand that we are each given a gift from God. That gift is for us and was specifically chosen for each of us.

“7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” — Ephesians 4:7 (ESV)

These gifts were not given for us to use as a display of how great we are, they were given to build up the church. Sometimes physical gifts like carpentry or landscaping. And sometimes not as physical like compassion and caregiving. Each of us were given different gifts, based on what God has in His plan for us to advance the gospel.

I want to go back to the first paragraph I wrote and talk through the gifts or talents mentioned. Yes, it would be great to have those gifts to display for all the world. And superpowers, you bet. Here is the rub as I see it. If we all were the phenomenal athletes, who would care for the sick. If we all were amazing artists, who would construct houses of worship. If we all had the same gift, nothing else would get done. God gave each of us gifts, that are different and unique to each of us to do our part in the spreading of the gospel and carrying out His plan.

It would be great to have the gift of those of others that I see as that seems to garner the kind of social recognition that us as humans crave. We only want to be revered as we see others are. The challenge comes in that we have to be doing the work of Christ and not the work of society. The gifts we may revere in the world may not be serving to advance God’s plan and may only be a focal point for selfish gain.

Christ provides each of us a gift to do the work He has for us. For some, it may be the gift of song, and others the gift of empathy. It may be to simply plant seeds of love of God for others to cultivate. I have to remember that my gift is mine provided by Christ and to be used for His glory. The gifts given to others were done so for their advancement of the gospel for Christ in the arena they are to be in.

What gifts do you already have? Are you using those for yourself and your standing in society? What if you took it that the gift was given by God for His glory and to complete His plan and is fully unique to you?