Use!

Use!

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

The Charge:

Peter would know what he was talking about here. He was a disciple who Jesus took special interest in. He was quite emotional, sometimes acting before thinking, but you could never daily his commitment to Jesus. He didn't always make the right choices, but his heart was right with God, and that is all that matters. He was given a gift, and he used it to the best of his ability. Peter then passes on the lessons from his own life to us today: God is too awesome to create persons without any purpose or usage. God does not create anyone without pouring his skill and expertise into that person. When men get in contact with me, they must see the imprint and impact of God upon my life. This is the standard I am called to live by, and this is the standard I must live by. God is counting on me in these perilous times we are in. Can I be trusted?

God is the giver of all good gifts. He does not give me the gifts so I can make a name for myself, but so I can bring glory to the name of the Lord. It lays emphasis on my USE of the gift, not hoarding, selling or destroying the gift. There is no reward from God for a gift that was kept away from public eye, and the gift is for the benefit and blessing of other people, not the person who was given the gift. God will raise up people that will pour out God's gift in them into my life, but I must sort out my own usage. I must ignore other people's reaction or response to me; that is not my business. All I have power over is my daily availability. It is a duty, and it is also a choice. That is the amazing thing about God: He does not force himself on anyone; He will bless all who come to Him with all their hearts.

The Conclusion:

This is a call to service, as I get to choose to serve wherever God may lead. Service that God accepts has no room for false pretence, selfishness or eye-service. It is a  call to dispense God's grace that I have been given. Imagine the beauty and blessing that come from all of us in church having the understanding of who we are working for. I am a steward of all that I have been given, and as we know, stewards do not currently own the house but are servants under authority. No matter the title on earth, service to people is God's greatest means to blessing his people. I must not settle for the praise or applause of men, which are only good for the earth and are temporary. No one has my personal fingerprints; I am special, and God has got my back as I seek to bring God to his world. God's time of favour is here.