It's just a few days before Christmas and one can't help but look back at the year's accomplishments, struggles and memories. I truly couldn't come up with a single item I wanted this year, but I do have one thing that I so deeply desire to have 365 days a year.
"Seek the joy of the Lord in everything."
In my afflictions, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my suffering, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my quiet and still moments, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In times of uncertainty, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
When facing persecution for my faith, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my tears, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my celebration, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In everything I do, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
May each of us receive this same desire that only the Lord can give. Joy is not a moment of time but a spiritual blessing given for a lifetime.
May your Christmas and every day of the year be filled with the joy of the Lord.
"Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Heavenly Gifts
My daughter mentioned to me the other day that she wished she had a special talent. She knows many people who have wonderful talents such as the ability to dance, play sports, sing, or play a musical instrument. These are all very special talents and it’s wonderful to see others flourish with these gifts God has given. But often how we see others defines how we view ourselves. We look at the talents of others and minimize the gifts that our Father has given to each of His children. Every human being has a divine purpose in life. However, we often feel our purpose is defined by "talents" we have. And for those of us who don’t think we have special talents, we feel lost and wonder what truly am I good at?
The Apostle Paul speaks of this matter. He was a brilliant scholar of religion and highly regarded by his peers as being a leader of the church. Yet despite all of his accomplishments, God viewed his talents very differently. God didn’t see Paul as a brilliant intellect, but as His child and servant in sharing the Gospel with the people. Paul even confessed that without Christ, all of his talents were meaningless.
The Bible tells us that God looks at each of us as His greatest masterpiece; a work of art that is to be used to draw others towards Christ.
I have a friend who is so spiritually gifted and yet doesn’t see herself that way. However, her gift isn’t necessarily a talent by the world’s standards. She is a silent servant of Christ. While others seek recognition and the spot light, she remains in the shadows compassionately giving of her time, money and prayer to those in need. While others take credit for their good works, she doesn’t want her name mentioned, but desires to give all of the glory to God. In a world that thrives on being recognized, becoming a silent servant is more than a talent. It’s a gift.
As a parent, we need to stress the importance of the spiritual gifts so that our children will see themselves not as the world sees them, but as God sees them. The greatest gift that God gives is love. In everything we do, we are to do it for Christ as a reflection of His love. In a world that is filled with darkness, love becomes hard to find. I have met people who cannot fully love and therefore cannot forgive. People who cannot fully love, limit themselves in how they can serve. People who cannot fully love, cannot be fully used by God. Love, not talents, is the greatest gift we’re given and believe it or not, many hearts never fully receive it.
Today, I pray that we strive to fully love others and glorify God in everything, making this more important than any given talent. And I’m not talking about loving our children more; I’m talking about fully loving those whom we have not been able to love. Only Christ can give us this gift, but first we must be willing to receive it with a humble and compassionate heart.
“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1Corinthians 13:4-7
Love isn’t a talent. It is a gift freely given. And without it, life and all of our talents become meaningless.
The Apostle Paul speaks of this matter. He was a brilliant scholar of religion and highly regarded by his peers as being a leader of the church. Yet despite all of his accomplishments, God viewed his talents very differently. God didn’t see Paul as a brilliant intellect, but as His child and servant in sharing the Gospel with the people. Paul even confessed that without Christ, all of his talents were meaningless.
The Bible tells us that God looks at each of us as His greatest masterpiece; a work of art that is to be used to draw others towards Christ.
I have a friend who is so spiritually gifted and yet doesn’t see herself that way. However, her gift isn’t necessarily a talent by the world’s standards. She is a silent servant of Christ. While others seek recognition and the spot light, she remains in the shadows compassionately giving of her time, money and prayer to those in need. While others take credit for their good works, she doesn’t want her name mentioned, but desires to give all of the glory to God. In a world that thrives on being recognized, becoming a silent servant is more than a talent. It’s a gift.
As a parent, we need to stress the importance of the spiritual gifts so that our children will see themselves not as the world sees them, but as God sees them. The greatest gift that God gives is love. In everything we do, we are to do it for Christ as a reflection of His love. In a world that is filled with darkness, love becomes hard to find. I have met people who cannot fully love and therefore cannot forgive. People who cannot fully love, limit themselves in how they can serve. People who cannot fully love, cannot be fully used by God. Love, not talents, is the greatest gift we’re given and believe it or not, many hearts never fully receive it.
Today, I pray that we strive to fully love others and glorify God in everything, making this more important than any given talent. And I’m not talking about loving our children more; I’m talking about fully loving those whom we have not been able to love. Only Christ can give us this gift, but first we must be willing to receive it with a humble and compassionate heart.
“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1Corinthians 13:4-7
Love isn’t a talent. It is a gift freely given. And without it, life and all of our talents become meaningless.
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