The Gifts We Can’t Always See

Maybe you’ve heard, “You’re so talented in sports, or music, or school, or fill-in- the-blank.†We all have our own unique gifts: some may be very obvious, and others may be harder to spot. For example, I am writing this devotion. I never thought that I was any good at writing or that anyone would even want to read what I wrote. Yet I had teachers, friends, and family all saying that I was good at writing and that they could all see I had potential.

So why did it take me almost five months to finally submit some writing? Well, all my life, I was known as the sports girl. School never came easily to me; it was something I had to work at if I wanted to do well. So when my dad told me I should write for “Unlocked,” I kind of just thought it was funny. I thought to myself, “First, I’m not good enough to write for a publication. Second, no one would even want to read anything I write.” I allowed fear and the lies of the Enemy to stop me from sharing the gift God has given me.

For some reason, as we grow older, we often become scared to try new things or to put ourselves out there. We fear rejection and the thought of not being good enough. But, as children of God in Christ, we are accepted and loved by Him. Therefore, we can follow and trust God wherever He calls us to use the gifts He’s given us—whether it’s trying out for the school play or reaching out to that new kid at school.

We all have gifts we may or may not see, but God has created us each uniquely. Some may be good at sports. Others may be good at math or science. Some may be great at organization. Others may be great at knowing exactly what other people need. The question is, are we going to use our gifts to build up our own kingdom or to build up the kingdom of Christ? • Anastasia Yoder

• What are some gifts you have? How could you use them to show Christ to those around you? If you don’t think you have any special gifts or talents, ask God to reveal them to you and ask someone who knows you well what they see.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 12:5-6; 1 Peter 4:10-11