Pardon from the Throne

Are you a fast learner? Some people are able to learn new things without much effort. They are sometimes called “gifted,†and they seem to quickly achieve their goals. I am not one of those students. My steps toward a personal target are always slow—a laborious journey based on faith, determination,
and hope. At first, I believed I was unlucky and secretly envied those who were fast-paced go-getters, wishing I was like them. This was a mistake.

Disenchantment comes easily in the fractured human society we live in, and it is easy to believe the lies that we are not good enough or even failures. But the truth is, God loves us and created us. He personally sent His son, Jesus, to save us (John 3:16). We are valued beyond measure, irrespective of our talents.

Success in our world can be measured in wealth, academic standing, or the kind of career we have. But Jesus works through everything in our lives, including our setbacks (Romans 8:28). It wasn’t until later in life that I realized, even though I need a lot of preparation to learn something new, I am blessed. In my quest to learn, God has worked and brought out determination, stickability, and resilience in me (Romans 5:3-5). If you are like me and need more time than your peers to adapt to a new skill, then rest assured God is compassionate and faithful. When we put our hope in God, and seek Him, and wait for Him, we can know God is our help.

Some of the greatest inventors and artists in history took decades to create their masterpieces. God gives each of us skills and gifts and directs us in how to use them accordingly (1 Peter 4:10-11). Whatever gifts or abilities we have, we should not compare with others (especially not to build ourselves up), but we should strive to glorify Him with our own God-given talents. We should not be concerned with the achievements of others compared to ourselves, but strive to achieve what we can for the glory of God. When we hope in the Lord and seek him, He helps us and guides us on our journey. • Cindy Lee

• Do you sometimes feel discouraged that it takes you a long time to understand things? Who can you reach out to if you are struggling? What gifts has God given you?

• Do you tend to learn things quickly? If so, how can you be considerate of those who take more time to grasp something, and how can you honor the gifts God has given them?

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him… Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Acts 9:1-30; 1 Timothy 1:12–17